Musician Walks From Premier’s Awards Gig After Being Told To Hide ‘Political’ Messaging On Guitar

A musician has taken a stand this week, after staffers at the Premier’s Public Service Awards told him the messages on his guitar were “too political” and told him to tape over them for his scheduled performance at the ceremony.

Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man Jayden Kitchener-Waters had been scheduled to perform at the Premier’s Public Service Awards on Tuesday night, and was in the green room at Parliament House when staff members told him the messaging on his guitar was “too political” and that they didn’t want to be seen “choosing sides”.

The messages on his guitar included the slogans “FREE GAZA”, “FUCK THE IDF” and “NO PRIDE IN GENOCIDE”. Kitchener-Waters offered to cover the swear words on his instrument, but staff members would only let him perform if he covered the messages entirely.

Held annually, the Premier’s Awards recognise public servants across the state whose work has held outstanding community impact.

Kitchener-Waters, who works as Community Engagement Officer at the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust, had volunteered for the event months ago.

 

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A post shared by Jayden Kitchener-Waters (@jaydenkitchenerwaters)

“They offered to tape over my messages with gaffer tape, which I said, no, I won’t be performing now,” Kitchener-Waters told CityHub.

“I just started walking away, and they said, ‘we really want you to perform’… You guys have a job to do, and I understand, but this isn’t something I can stand for.”

Waters may lose his job for speaking up

Since posting a video about his experiences on Instagram, Kitchener-Waters has been contacted by the Premier’s department, who say he’s violated their code of conduct, and may face disciplinary action if the video is not taken down by 3pm on Wednesday.

Kitchener-Waters, the founding director of Gambadul Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation dedicated to revitalising the Gomeroi language and celebrating Gomeroi language, people and culture, has refused to be silent.

He was also part of the Young Aboriginal Leaders Program earlier this year, where he learnt parliamentary processes, took part in leadership training, and met established Aboriginal leaders.

“Standing up for the rights of people that are brutally, brutally killed in this genocide,” he said. “If that results in the termination of my employment, then I actively welcome and encourage it.”

City Hub has contacted the premier’s department for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publication.