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Children’s Ground have launched the music video for Merne Mwerre, a celebration of keeping tyerrtye (body) and utnenge (spirit) strong by eating good food and connecting to Apmere (Country).
Merne Mwerre, translating to ‘Good Food’ in English, premiered on Tuesday 14 May, at an exclusive showing in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in the Todd Mall.
Filmed in Mparntwe at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens with a number of incredibly talented First Nations local community members including Edmond Doolan, Jarrel Williams, Monisha Martin Turner and Carol Turner, the music video portrays two First Nations children learning the power that comes from merne mwerre and how bush tucker can be found on Country.
Merne Mwerre was written and sung by first-time songwriter Edmond Doolan, an Arrernte man from Anapipe (Sandy Bore) north of Alice Springs and Arrernte leader for Children’s Ground's Men’s and Youth team.
The song is sung in both Eastern/Central Arrernte and English.
Merne Mwerre is taken from the Arrernte language children’s album Ampe-mape Alyelheme (Kid’s Sing), released in 2023. Ampe-mape Alyelheme (Kid’s Sing) was an undertaking by Children’s Ground to remedy the lack of children’s music available in Arrernte language. Active since 2021, the Children’s Ground music project has been supported by contributions from Harry James Angus (The Cat Empire), Emily Lubitz (Tinpan Orange) and artists, families and educators local to Central Australia.
The music video was produced in collaboration with, and support from, Lemon Tree Media and Productions, Bill Raby Diabetes Fellowship, Australian Government Indigenous Language and Arts Program and ABC Kids.
Watch the Merne Mwerre music video
Download the Merne Mwerre Activity Book
I wrote this song to educate our First Nations children on the benefits of our merne (bush tucker) and to show them that the Country surrounding them is filled with the goodness they need to grow up strong and healthy. I’m proud to be a part of something that gives strength to my culture, to the next generation and that shows the world the Country that we live in. Edmond Doolan, lead artist and Arrernte leader for Children’s Ground Men’s and Youth team
I wrote this song to educate our First Nations children on the benefits of our merne (bush tucker) and to show them that the Country surrounding them is filled with the goodness they need to grow up strong and healthy. I’m proud to be a part of something that gives strength to my culture, to the next generation and that shows the world the Country that we live in.
