About the artist
Warralgurniya is a cross-cultural musical collaboration created by Thiinma Elder Peter Salmon, from the Upper Gascoyne, and Midwest-based musician and linguist Rosie Sitorus. They are joined by an exceptional group of regional musicians and members of Peter’s family, who are learning from their nyami about Country, culture and language.
A 92-year-old stockman and award-winning songwriter, Peter appeared with Rosie on ABC TV’s The Piano in 2026. Their performance of the original song Warri Yungu, Warri Paba, written in Thiinma as a lament for Peter’s Country and Old People, received international acclaim. It drew wider attention to Peter’s enduring love for his yalha – his land – and his lifelong commitment to keeping Thiinma language and culture strong.
Together, Peter and Rosie write songs that carry yarns spanning more than a century of life on the land. Moving between humour, joy, heartbreak and determination, their music reflects Peter’s resolve to share his language with anyone and everyone.
Blending contemporary styles such as country and blues with stories grounded in tens of thousands of years of history, Warralgurniya is forging a path towards a future built on respect, collaboration and shared joy, one song at a time.
Led by Peter’s bushman charm, Warralgurniya offers audiences an intimate and deeply moving experience. At its heart is a commitment to keeping wiyurrba pagalya – spirit strong – and ensuring Peter’s knowledge, stories and language continue through the generations that follow.
