Piyalbajarri – Yarns and Songs with Peter Salmon

Ngaliju

Piyalbajarri (‘Yarns’) tells the story of Peter Salmon, a 92yo stockman, songwriter & senior knowledge holder for Thiinma people of the Upper Gascoyne.

Through storytelling (in Thiinma & English) & song, Peter shares his remarkable life spanning 100yrs of WA’s 200yr history, with snippets from history including the Pilbara Strike & Montebello bomb tests & his moving memories of growing up on Country with the Old People that shaped the man -Elder- he is today.

Paired on stage with longtime collaborator Rosie Sitorus, with songs from their first project ‘Warralgurniya’, Peter’s yarns will leave your heart warm & your eyes open to a world almost forgotten – but for one man’s incredible story.

Technical

Venue Format
Black box
Proscenium arch
Town hall
Outdoor space
Flexible

Touring Party Size

4

Location

Gascoyne / Pilbara

Available to Tour

From October 2025

Artforms

Contemporary Music

Audience

Adults - General
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People
First Nations/Indigenous People
Older People
People in Regional/Remote Areas

Duration

60 minutes

Get In

1 hour/s

Get Out

1 hour/s

Costs

Remount Cost: $2 - 5k
Weekly Fee: $5 - 10k
Per Performance Fee: To be determined

Company Contacts

Contact Name:

Rosie

Sitorus

Email: rosie.sitorus@gmail.com
Phone: 0404 200 477

Company Bio

Ngaliju ('us two') is a cross-cultural collaboration between Thiinma Elder Peter Salmon, from the Upper Gascoyne region of Western Australia, & Rosie Sitorus, a Karratha-based creative & linguist. Mr Salmon, a 92 year old stockman & WAM Song of the Year Award (2021) winning songwriter, tells stories from his fascinating life which Rosie then weaves into contemporary songs carrying his ancient knowledge & unique worldview. Peter & Rosie share a warm & evident bond that entrances audiences, & their humour-filled banter between songs about station life, contemporary Aboriginal affairs and who’s paying for icecream after the show makes them a uniquely relatable and memorable act.