Bridging beats and belonging: Elijah’s journey through music, culture and community

This NAIDOC Week and beyond, we're sharing Elijah's story and how his experiences with Scope’s Customised Employment are helping him land paid music gigs.

With a weekly routine that includes choir rehearsals, community outings, gym sessions, and volunteering at Indigenous radio station 3KND, Elijah’s calendar is as full as his heart.

“Scope helped me become more independent,” Elijah said. “Getting myself from A to B, doing shopping, visiting national parks. They’ve helped me do the stuff I love.”

Julie, Customised Employment Practice Team Leader and one of Elijah’s key consultants has been instrumental (to pardon the pun) in that journey.

“She’s good at helping sort things out,” Elijah said. “If something goes wrong, she helps fix it.” For her part, Julie said, “A few honest conversations help create a path forward (for Elijah)” – it's a multidisciplinary collaboration led by Scope that facilitates success.

“Music has provided a massive shift to build Elijah’s capacities and entrepreneurial endeavours,” said Julie. These capacities include the development of self-determination, resilience and increased social awareness.

Not only is Elijah more focused on music, but on all parts of life too through a natural progression that Julie said is “fabulous and enjoyable to see.” According to Julie, Elijah has "grown as a musician, performer, and person. "

Music with meaning

That lesson came in handy during a recent performance at the 20-year anniversary of Including You. When the venue’s equipment failed, Elijah calmly returned home, grabbed his own gear, and delivered a stellar performance.

“Before, he would have panicked,” his mum Susannah said. “But now, he just finds a way to fix it.”

Julie clarified that CE’s work is not to act as Elijah’s booking agent, She said it’s about connecting him with people who can help him answer questions, gather information and develop a network of people for him to work with who are supportive and understanding.

From stage to schools

Elijah’s talents extend beyond performance. With support from Julie and musician Paulie Stewart (of Painters and Dockers fame), Elijah is preparing to visit schools to share his story and inspire young people through music.

“He’s very good at teaching other youths like him,” said, Susannah. “He can show them that they can do something they love, be part of the community, and use their skills.”

Their first stop? Thornbury Primary School, where Elijah once attended. “Most of the teachers already love him,” Susannah said with a smile.

Julie said, “I’m working with him to deliver a talk/workshop for primary and secondary students around Melbourne, starting with his primary school.” Eijah’s presentations to future musos will cover his experiences in the industry and how he is developing his own path, Julie said.

What’s next?

Elijah is currently working on a new track called “Till Next Time”, inspired by the feeling of reconnecting with someone after many years. He’s recording with Dale at the Glenroy Community Hub and continues to share his music on his YouTube and Facebook channels. His dream? To keep writing, performing, and maybe one day tour overseas – Italy is high on the list, thanks to his Italian heritage.

But for now, Elijah is taking it one gig at a time, supported by a community that believes in him.

“You have to find a job you’re passionate about,” Susannah said. “Something that makes you want to get up in the morning. For Elijah, that’s music.”

The final word about Elijah goes to Julie, who said he is “a measured young man who is proud of his heritage and all of Australia. He is just a delight.”