The Thumbs Up! have run domestic and family violence awareness programs for school children, young adults or older community members. In 2015, Uncle Jimmy Thumbs up! was granted funding from the Northern Territory Department of Local Government and Community Affairs to deliver a program in the communities of Wadeye ( Pt Keats) and the central desert community of Mutitjulu. The Thumbs up! team spent considerable time in both communities conducting the programs in partnership with local agencies, schools and councils. The focus of the program was “Respect” – for friends, family, community members and one’s self.

One of the videos from Wadeye features a song written by our facilitators and the students from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School about respect for each other & calling an end to violence everywhere. They performed this song live at the end of term assembly to a large audience of parents, community members & fellow students.

The video from Nyangatjatjara College near Uluru was the result of a partnership with the college and their leadership program. The song’s lyric was written by the students about showing respect for each other with a zero tolerance message titled “not on our land”. The students performed this song live at the Yulara Resort Amphitheatre and at the community of Mutitjulu as a support act to Iconic Australian Band GANGgajang.

A fatal accident occurred several years ago in the community of Wadeye NT. As part of the DV/FV program the Thumbs Up team encouraged rival clans community members to make peace using music & songwriting to bring them together. The resulting song & video is a powerful call for people to Stand Up & say No More to violence. It has had a remarkable impact in that community.