David Hudson - Personal Profile and CV

The warm tropical atmosphere of Cairns,Nth Queensland is home to David Hudson. Early in his life David felt compelled to learn the lore of his people. He spent many years playing the didgeridoo and learning dances from his elders. He completed his formal education which was capped by an associate diploma of recreation from Nedlands College of Advanced Education,Perth.

Since leaving college David¹s career followed many varied and exciting paths. His first major event occurred as a result of being chosen as a solo performer to tour with an australian art expo from Cairns in 1986. This was the beginning of David¹s extensive international career.

David was enticed back to Cairns to participate in a major north queensland theatrical production. His part in the production ultimately lead to the formation of the tjapukai dance theatre, of which he was choreographer and co-producer. This was born in 1987 and so began five years of hard work and dedication to develop what is recognised today as a major tourist attraction, not only for Cairns and the region but also for Australia. His achievements have been extensive and include tours of Europe, Asia and U.S.A.

He has done many solo performances over the years and has no trouble captivating an audience with a one man show. Acting, music and painting have become David¹s life. He has  recorded twenty six albums and participated on many other albums and recordings for other artists and film scores, and is renowned as an accomplished musician.

This talented man is quiet and unassuming but certainly not camera shy,achieving the ultimate award of a logie for his presentation of a documentary series on his people. He has been used by the queensland tourist and travel corporation for some of their major commercials as well as local advertisements.

Film, television and stagework have been added to his advancing acting career once again extending this young man's talents. artisically, his talents are not restricted to performing. He has worked with children of all ages conducting workshops involving painting,murals,mime and dance enlightening young minds to aboriginal culture. David is a respected member of the community and has been called upon numerous timed to be a guest speaker and presenter locally and nationally.

In 1993 he was awarded honourary tourism ambassador for Queensland tourism and more recently the centenary medal for services to aboroiginal and islander culture. He has an incorrigible sense of humour and can capture and audience with his wit and vivacious stories. He has a totally professional attitude and consistently displays commitment and dedication to his work.

EDUCATION   
Cairns State High School
Junior Certificate Year 10 1977
Higher School Certificate Year 12 1979
Musical Instruments Studied & Played
Accomplished Guitarist, Drummer & Didgeridoo
TAFE - Cairns - 1982
Access Course - Subjects included Maths, English, Social Skills for College Entry
Nedlands College of Advanced Education Perth - ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA OF RECREATION 1983-84  Subjects Studied and Passed: Psychology,Sociology, Anatomy,Ecology, TV Technician, Music & Dance, Practical Recreation Administration and Programming,Sports Injuries,
Special Groups e.g. Blind, Disabled, Youth
1992 - Staff Development & Training Course,
CERTIFICATE 1V IN ASSESSMENT AND WORKPLACE TRAINING
Quality Customer Service.
First Aid Certificate
Tjapukai Traditions & Culture

From a very young age was taught traditional Aboriginal Culture including, History, Beliefs, Language, Music, Art and how all of these interact and integrate with each other tocreate a cohesive whole.
Extensive Travel Throughout Australia- To  exchange cultures and knowledge with other Aboriginal Communities.

SKILLS
World renowned didgeridoo player, active in reconciling Black & White without the loss of th best of each culture. Proponent of Aboriginal Traditional Culture. Entertainer-many level Traditional and Contemporary
Dance, Musician & Composer, Acting in Australian and International Films. Well known Presenter of Documentaries, offering advanced knowledge in many areas relating to this work. Well known Artist combining the best of Contemporary and Traditional Aboriginal Art. Public Relations and Promotions. Holds the position of Honorary Tourism Ambassador for Queensland Tourism Industry. Qualified Recreation Officer. Ability to communicate with all people, including children, to create a greater understanding of Aboriginal Culture. He is an accomplished guitarist, drummer and didgeridoo player.

2010
- Argentina - Reiki concert and workshops
- ATE- Adelaide

2009
- General Manager of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
- Art Exhibition at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Jan-May 09
- Support gig for Darrell Braithwaite-Casino

2008
- Creative Director-Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

2007
- Release of 4 new albums –Australian Sun Records
- Appearance Seattle-USA Allegro Music and launch of Albums

2006
- Motivational and Training
- Corporate Work

2005
- Yanni USA, CANADA MEXICO Five months
- Teaching- ATSI DANCE CERT 3 AND CERT 4 Cairns TAFE

2004
- Ethnicity Tour with Yanni throughout the USA

2003  
- Touring USA and Canada with Yanni
- Centenary Medal for services to aboriginal and Islander culture

2002   
- 2 new albums recordings
- Arts Nexus-Touring schools, specialised performances at festivals and corporate functions.

2001
- NBL-Taipans new theme song
- Colours of the North -gala extravaganza Tourism Awards - Cairns-featured artist / New album recording
- U.S -Live performance -final episode Survivor 2
- Indigenous Tourism Workshops - Live  Performances

2000
- Survivor 2- didgeridoo-theme music/pre-recorded music also used
- Japan - tour to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka                        
- WBNS-USA
- Documentary work
- Walkabout North Concert--Musicairns Festival
- Corporate,Convention and Incentive events and workshops
- Workshops and retail outlet- Presentation of own show 3 times a week

1999
- Jabiru at the Pier²-Retail outlet - Bundaberg
- University- consultant and lectures
- Continuing live performances
- U.S.A - Performance National Press Gallery Washington D.C.
- Qld finals-Australia Post Face of Australia Competition
- Workshops -- New album recorded--WALKABOUT   
- Austria --National tour- May

1998
- Channel 10  Presenter - Walkamein Country Music Festival
- Workshops-cultural retreats-Regional Schools
- Bowen Multicultural Festival - M.C and Performer
- Art Exhibition - Santa Fe, New Mexico  Lewallen Gallery
- International Tour with Yanni - extensively  throughout U.S A

1997   
- Frontline ABC - Guest appearance acting
- International Tour with YANNI  -  U.S.A,  India and China     
- Art Exhibition  --  Hayman Island

1996
- Didgeridoo Performance  --  Carols by Candlelight Cairns
- Recording Albums  --   Interactive Board for National and International release of 12 albums
- Art Exhibition  --  Oz Images Gallery, Cairns
- Photographic Work  --  Modeling for international company Boomerang Sweden
- Continuing on to Austria for more concerts
- Art Exhibition and Performances  --   Vienna -Austria,Bonn and Berlin-Germany
- Developing and Recording New Album   --   Didgeridoo Spirit
- Private Functions   --   Playing Didgeridoo and Promoting Aboriginal Culture
- The Edge -Nigel Westlake-Blue Mountains
- Completing commissioned Artworks
- Short Film for SBS  --   Black Man Down- Deaths in Custody
- Talk back Interviews   --   Radio and Television

1995
- Australia Week  --  St. Louis, U.S.A. - Traditional Entertaining
- Feature Film   -   Island of Dr. Moreau --Major role as Bison Man
- Art  --   Painting Canvases for Art Exhibition in Austria
                                           

1994
- Austria  --  Lauda Air Promotions-Vienna       
- Japan  --  Concert with Mr. Yokata-Japanese Flautist
- Movie Score with David Hirshfelder  -   Harry Dare
- Solo Album  --  The Rainbow Serpent 
- Guest Appearance  --  Ocean Girl - Westbridge Prod.
- Video   --   How to Make and Play the Didgeridoo


1993
- World Athletic Championships  -   Stuttgart, Germany- Opening Ceremony
- Live via Satellite from Sydney-Playing Didgeridoo
- 1993  Australian Music Awards  -  Guest Spots Playing Didgeridoo
- Royal Queensland Theatre Company  --  One Woman's Song -Actor-Ensemble Piece Multiple Roles
- National Nine Network  --  Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
- Footprints -Presenter
- KDD Telecom  --  Commercial Japan--Traditional Dancing

1992
- Village Roadshow Production   --  Feature Film- Jailbirds Run -Actor,Aust. Lead Role

1991
- ABC TV  --  Documentary Proud to be Aborigine  Presenter-Narrator
- QTV Network  --  Commercial - No Smoking- Lead Role
- Queensland Tourist & Travel Corporation  --   Commercial - Lead Role
- Tommy Emmanuel Concert  --   Kuranda Amphitheatre- Musical Support

1990    
- Logie Award  --  My Place, My Land, My People --Presenter
- Kuranda Folk Festival  --   Performer

1987-1992
- Tjapukai Dance Theatre --  Kuranda

Co-Founder and Producer. As Co-Founder of the Dance Theatre, responsible
for concept,  choreography and Aboriginal input. Proceeded to produce shows to promote Aboriginal Culture and educate audiences.This involved recruitment and training of dancers, planning stage presentations  and overall motivation of dance troupe. Accompanied troupe on tours throughout Australia and on  the International Circuit.
    *  Lyon, France  --  1987 * Brisbane World Expo  --  1988 *  New Zealand --  1989, Inaug. flight Cns -N.Z
    * World Tour with the  ATC to Europe, U.K. Singapore ,1990  *  Osaka Expo, Japan  --  1991     * Seoul, Korea  --  1991, Inaug. flight Sydney  --  Seoul  * N.Y, St. Louis, Chicago, USA  --  1991  --  with ATC
    *Austrian Graz Festival  --  1991
   
The Tjapukai Dance Theatre is recognised as the longest running Theatrical Show in Australian  Entertainment history. This has been achieved due to the dedication and continuity of involvement by all personnel.

1986
- Brian Young Country  Show.   Australia tour -singer , instrumentalist

1985 - 1986
- Queensland Arts Council.  -Presenting own show-True Blue Didgeridoo-Music and culture

1985
- Australian Art Expo.  Travelled to West Coast of USA appearing as a solo performer opening each exhibition on tour.

1983 - 1984
- Studied and successfully Passed, Associate Diploma of Recreation

1980 - 1982
- Employed as Health Worker in Alice Springs