Sally Walker
Sally Walker, flautist
Lyle Chan, writer and composer
The National Film and Sound Archive May 3
Reviewed by Len Power
Described as a meditation on the enthralling world of dolphins and whales in music, sound, words and images, the world premiere of this work with renowned Canberra flautist, Sally Walker, was a feast for the eyes and senses. It proved to be even more than that, with an impassioned and persuasive plea to end noise and other pollution in our oceans and our planet.
Using a variety of flutes as well as percussive instruments, Walker created a haunting soundscape that complemented the beautiful, often dreamlike video on a large screen behind her. Often playing to pre-recorded music and voice as well as speaking much of the commentary live, it was an impressively mounted presentation that was both entertaining and informative.
Those of us lucky enough to have had close encounters with dolphins could relate to Walker’s description of her first encounter with dolphins at an early age. Her quest to communicate with them through sound was fascinating and the images of her on the bow of a boat speeding through the waters of Pt. Stephens NSW while playing the flute to a school of jumping dolphins was memorable.
Her lifelong fascination with cetaceans (marine mammals like dolphins and whales) has led her to friendships with people like dolphin researcher, Dr Olivia De Bergerac and others. Many of these people talk passionately in the video. Historical and recent footage is presented as well as first-hand accounts of amazing human-cetacean interactions.
Our complex relationship with these creatures is shown to have been both good and bad. The importance of protection and preservation of these and other unique creatures in our world is clearly stated.
The 70 minute presentation was spell-binding. During the bows, Sally Walker invited many of the people involved in the production of the show to join her on stage. Not being aware that these people were in the audience, it was a delightful opportunity to see and applaud so many of them including composer and writer, Lyle Chan, scientist Dr. Olivia De Bergerac, videographer Murray Farrell and Uncle Ossie Cruse.
Photos by Peter Hislop
This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 4 May 2025.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
