AS A high school teacher, Luke O'Shea found a gap in learning and knew it had to be filled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And, as a singer-songwriter, he knew music was a good way to connect with people.
The song Happy Australia Day is a collaboration between O'Shea and award-winning artist and Kamilaroi man Kevin Bennett.
The single was created to spark an open conversation about Australia's history, and the truths underpinning Australia Day.
READ ALSO:
"It's always struck me just how little we know or teach about pre-European history ... there is so much wisdom we're missing out on," O'Shea said.
"It's my job to observe, and what I noticed is ... how little our curriculum covered such an integral part of our country."
Nine Indigenous activists are highlighted in the song, and its music video is another educational element.
Bennett said he thought the song was done in a "respectful way".
"It's not about pointing fingers ... but saying hey, why can't we work together to find another way of celebrating Australia Day," he said.
The song features on O'Shea's most recent album There in the Ochre.
