The first album has inspired her through the song “My Island Home”, but the time of year has also been important. “Christmas provokes some really deep emotions that often get left behind throughout the year, things like family and connection. We always think about belonging: ‘where do I go this Christmas?’ It’s the abandonment of things we should be thinking about every day but it takes that one time of the year for us to start remembering each other. Christmas makes us find charity in our hearts and that to me is inspirational,” explained Christine.
In line with the theme of belonging and togetherness, Christine collaborated with family members to showcase her meaning of Christmas. Christine’s mother wrote a language verse of “Silent Night” and her children Kuiam and Zipporah feature in two songs, “Ooh Child” and “Island Christmas”, which Christine wrote in 2007.
The song list comprises a selection of Christmas classics, personally selected by Christine for their significance in her family’s life. The album also features duets with artists including The Voice finalist Steve Clisby, and children’s entertainer Jay Laga’aia.
“Steve brings with him an absolute wealth of experience and creativity that I thought would really lend fantastically to our version of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’. The way that Steve and I do it, I think we tear it up,” said Christine.
“Jay is my friend from the Playschool era, when we did episodes together. He has gone off to become an enormous children’s entertainment figure in his own right. The song which we do together is just beautiful, ‘Little Drummer Boy’.”
Christine started singing at the age of seven, and came from very humble beginnings. While her dream to become a singer was very much alive, she enrolled in a dance school, National Aboriginal and Islander Skills and Development Association (NAISDA), and found herself in Sydney.
After five years at the dance school, she graduated and gained at a very advantageous position: to either join the dance company (Bangarra Dance Theatre) or sign a record deal. With more of her time being demanded for music performances and recording songs, she decided to steer away from her potential dance career. Christine later used her connections to employ dancers and performers for her video clips.
“I think the foundations were there for me. I never thought it would endure this long. 1992 was my graduation period. I got approached by the composer of “My Island Home”, Neil Murray, and he asked me to join his band. I knew that that was my passion and it was where my career was going to go. The rest is history,” said Christine.
She appeared at the Christmas Warehouse in Alexandria, late November, and offered a very personal performance to the public. She performed songs from her new album and a few of her classic tunes.
