The Three Brothers Story

William Barton

A capacity audience in the shadow of “Big Brother” Mountain at Laurieton was privileged to hear the world premiere of William Barton and Sean O’Boyle’s specially commissioned musical work “Ancient Souls, Ancient Land’ commissioned to mark the 10th Camden Haven Music Festival in March 2005.

The composition received a standing ovation from the audience, after its performance by William Barton, Sean O’Boyle and their ensemble.  In addition to William’s superlative didgeridu playing, the other instruments included flute, cello, guitar, trumpet, trombone and clarinet.  The result was an amazingly evocative interpretation of the Three Brothers’ Mountains story, reflecting the indigenous cultural and spiritual feelings, as well as later historical and contemporary influences.

The creation of this very special work began with William Barton’s residency in the Camden Haven in September 2004.  For two weeks, William talked with aboriginal elders and community groups, and held school workshops.  He also went to sea to view the Three Brothers as Captain James Cook would have done in 1770, visited the mountains themselves, and viewed them from the air.

All of these elements are reflected in the musical work, which culminates in a moving and spiritual expression of the Mountains’ powerful presence over all who contact them.  The audience was spellbound.  The Three Brothers are unique to the Camden Haven, and held dear by most of us who live here.

Camden Haven Music Festival has recorded the work and the CD is now available to purchase for $22 including gst and postage and handling.  Contact Camden Haven Music Festival Coordinator Alvena Ferguson on (02) 6556 9622 or email chmf@tsn.cc.

The Three Brothers Legend

2005 Festival Brochure

The Three Brother Mountains (Three Birroguns) are revered by all who know them.  As places of traditional ceremonial practice and observance of Aboriginal law, the mountains are culturally and spiritually significant to  several Indigenous peoples.  The key custodians are the Biripi people.

One story of the mountains has been handed down through generations.

It tells of three brothers who, as part of their initiation, must sustain themselves in the bush for a period away from their family.  When they became separated, a witch-woman captured the two older brothers.  When the youngest brother found her, she claimed to have killed and eaten them and threatened to do the same to him.  He killed her with his boomerang, buried the remains of his brothers where North and Middle Brother stand today then, overcome with shame at not having saved his brothers, killed himself where South Brother now stands.

The mighty spirits of Creation stirred that night and where each body lay there arose a mountain to mark the tragedy.  From this time on the mountains were known as the Three Birroguns, or wise men of the Biripi tribe.

By sheer coincidence, Captain James Cook, on his journey up the east coast of Australia in 1770, saw the mountains from out at sea, and named them in his log “The Three Brothers”.