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Coles’ new partnership with the Mushroom Group and its creative agency, Mushroom Creative House extends the Coles First Nations Pathway Program beyond sport and into music.

Mushroom has long been an advocate for Australia’s Indigenous music community and continually sought opportunities to showcase a wide range of Indigenous artists. As such, the program, designed and facilitated by Mushroom, has been built to help young Indigenous aspiring musicians gain valuable music experience and mentorship.

The multi-year partnership will build on the existing Coles First Nations Pathway Programs which currently focus on sport.

This extension will now provide opportunities and education to aspiring Indigenous artists in musical fields. The program will provide young Indigenous talent with an immersive educational experience of the music industry, in addition to mentoring and future employment opportunities.

Coles Radio will also expand its support of the Australian music industry with the mentors in the First Nations Pathway Program to host dedicated segments on one of Australia’s most listened to digital radio stations.

Continuing with the legacy built by Mushroom Group founder Michael Gudinski; Mushroom’s Chief Executive Matt Gudinski proudly supports the Coles First Nations Pathway Program. Michael is remembered for opening doors for many First Nations artists, and to this day the Mushroom Group is affiliated with Indigenous artists such as Dan Sultan, Emily Wurramara, Troy Cassar-Daley, Baker Boy and many more.

Mushroom Group Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski notes “this partnership with Coles sees the Mushroom team draw on our wealth of knowledge from the music industry and create a program that will nurture and develop the next wave of many talented First Nations artists. Mushroom has been a long-time champion of First Nations artists, representing icons such as Archie Roach and Yothu Yindi. Through this partnership, Mushroom and Coles establishes a platform that’s invaluable for evolving up and coming creatives.”

Coles Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Ronson said Coles is excited to be working with the Mushroom Group to extend the First Nations Pathway Program to help young Indigenous musicians and advises “we will support by sharing the stories and music of these talented musicians through our own network like Coles Radio and our instore magazines so we can raise more awareness of the talents of young artists.

“We have absolutely loved to see how the First Nations Pathway Program has developed the confidence, talent and life skills of young Indigenous athletes involved in AFL, AFLW and NRL and we’re thrilled that we can now expand this experience to include young musicians who have dreams of performing on stage and sharing their wonderful talents with the world.”

The program will feature an intensive four-day music masterclass with industry experts including Masterclass Facilitator and Cultural Advisor Scott Darlow, to help develop the aspiring artists and provide invaluable experience and insight into the music industry. Artist mentors will work with the artists throughout the year with a variety of one-on-one mentoring sessions.

The music arm of the First Nations Pathway Program is designed to celebrate First Nations music and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Mushroom Creative House have created the Program through their intimate knowledge of the music industry and have designed and facilitated a program for Coles that provides First Nations artists with a foothold in the music industry.

Lead by Pathway Program mentors Emily Wurramara and Nooky, the Program will feature participants from all around Australia, across a mix of musical genres, including pop, electro and rap. Participants include Jay Gonsalves (VIC), Angus (Aya J) (QLD), HARTCOLE (WA), Bumpy (VIC), dameeeela (NSW), Hylander (NSW), Tyler (The Terrifying Lows) (VIC) and GLVES (QLD).

Mushroom Creative House were also thrilled to commission contemporary Aboriginal artist Rachael Sarra from Goreng Goreng Country, to design an artwork for use throughout the Program. Sarra uses art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution.

Coles Ambassador and mentor for the AFL Coles First Nations Pathway program, Eddie Betts said he is thrilled to be involved in the First Pathway program to support the talented musicians.

Betts shares “as a young kid, growing up in community, I faced many struggles to achieve my dream to become an AFL player. It taught me so much about family, resilience, strength and self-belief and I’m looking forward to passing on my own experiences to help these young musicians understand they can be anyone they want to be in this world if they believe in themselves and their talents.

“Whether performing on a stage or a football field, I am so proud to be an ambassador for Coles and support the Mushroom Group who are passionate about forming strong bonds and giving opportunities to our young people”

Coles Group is one of the largest private sector employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia and has had an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plan since 2009 focusing on Employment, Supply Chain, Community Partnerships and Cultural Learning. The First Nations Pathway Music program will run throughout 2022 and will take on a new cohort of upcoming talent and home grown mentors in 2023.

Image (from left): Coles Ambassador and mentor for the AFL Coles First Nations Pathway program, Eddie Betts, Mushroom Group Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski and Coles Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Ronson.

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