Our connection to home and the world around us is an endless source of song writing inspiration, and that is exactly what a class of talented Nhulunbuy High School students in Arnhem Land turned to when they decided to write an original song with their school music teacher.
After a semester of reflecting on the waterways around them and how water connects us all, they wrote ‘Tide to the Sea’, and entered it into the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition 2025. With students rapping and singing in two languages, the song paints a beautiful picture of their Northern Territory homeland and their connection to culture and one another. ‘Tide to the Sea’ made an impact on the judges and went on to win the High School category of the competition.
The students were thrilled to learn that their prize was the world-class SongMakers workshop – a two day intensive that brings prominent Australian songwriters and music producers directly into the winning school to mentor students and write and record original music with them. Valued at almost $10,000, this is one of the most coveted prizes in the National Songwriting Competition.
The students recently completed the workshop and made some music magic with the SongMakers team who were delighted with how the students responded to the experience.
“We were thrilled to bring SongMakers back to the Northern Territory for the first time in nearly a decade, heading to Nhulunbuy in North-East Arnhem Land in May 2026. The young people we worked with were so much fun. They wrote some incredible songs and shared such powerful stories and messages. The teachers at Nhulunbuy High are second to none – their dedication to their students is unmatched. We can’t wait to make more songs with Nhulunbuy High again!” – Katie Wighton, National Program Manager, SongMakers APRA AMCOS.
After the workshop, some of the students shared with us their thoughts on the experience and songwriting in general, highlighting how music makes them feel more connected to culture and themselves. Check out the video to hear what they had to say and to listen to part of their winning song.
