THE Q in Queanbeyan is presenting its first indigenous program, and management couldn’t be happier.

Shellie Morris is a singer-songwriter who has performed everywhere from Melbourne to London. Her music is a mix of contemporary folk and contemporary acoustic ballads.

Throughout her career Morris has shared her life and stories onstage as a featured singer with the award winning Black Arm Band and through her collaborations with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and her more intimate shows.

She has released two albums to date and is now writing the music for her third CD.

A documentary film on her life was commissioned and broadcast nationally in 2009 as was her concert at the Sydney Opera House with Aboriginal musician Gurrumul Yunupingu.

She grew up in Sydney and reconnected with her family in NT 15 years ago with the encouragement and support of her adopted non-indigenous family.

As an ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation she has helped raise awareness for the organisation and assisted with their fund raising efforts. She has worked with Liberian women refugees on the project “Liberty Songs”.

In 2009 Morris, two-time winner of Female Musician of the Year at the NT Indigenous Music Awards, travelled with Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil through different communities, collaborating with musicians along the way, and she is now based in Darwin.

“Shellie’s Story” at ‘The Q’ – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre 253 Crawford Street, May 4-5, bookings to 6285 6290.