The good oil

Our students were lucky enough to spend time with Midnight Oil's lead guitarist, Jim Moginie.

Our students were lucky enough to spend time with Midnight Oil's lead guitarist, Jim Moginie.

By George Huitker, Director of Service Learning (and Oils enthusiast)

All four students enjoyed the exhibition immensely. On Thursday 31 March, four immensely lucky Year 8 musicians (with a handful of collegians and staff in tow) received a real treat at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Their experience involved: meeting Midnight Oil's lead guitarist, Jim Moginie; being taken on a tour of the Making of Midnight Oil exhibition; seeing/hearing Jim's band, The Electric Guitar Orchestra, play the challenging art/music fusion piece 'The Colour Wheel'; getting everything from CDs to crutches signed; and even finding the time for a chat with Jim after the show. (Personally, I couldn't resist a little music/history lesson about the band's 'Sorry' jumpsuits and Diesel and Dust exhibits.)

In the boys' own words:

'My favourite part of the exhibition was learning about the 'sorry' overalls. This was interesting and great to hear how Midnight Oil snuck them onto the Olympic stage without anyone knowing and how the crowd reacted to this. My favourite part of the performance was when the guitarists all started to play a song with the ends of their leads. This was funny when they did it on their heads and especially clever how they were all different sounds. It was amazing how they all managed to stay in time throughout the show.'

'My favourite part would probably be some of the guitars and pedals that they used. Even though they were pretty bashed up, the pedals would still probably work until the end of time, and that is why I love them so much. The concert was incredible. Who knew what sounds you could create with a whole lot of FX pedals and six guitars?'

'I thought the performance was very inspiring and creative. The way the group worked with each other made each song flow. The techniques they used to make different sounds was amazing. It was a fantastic performance and was heaps of fun to go see.'

'The artists were painting a picture whilst the band was playing and in the end it was a complete wheel of colours. But before the night ended, I got a picture with Jim Moginie and a signed shirt. The night will be memorable.'

How can we sleep when our beds are burning indeed? Thanks to Jim Moginie and the Tuggeranong Arts Centre for making it all possible.

Students were fascinated by the exhibition's 'sorry' overalls.

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