Proud Coodjinburra artist, Budjerah, returned to his former primary school on Goodjinburra land in Booningbah on the last day of Term 2 for a surprise performance as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.

The 24-year-old singer’s blend of pop, soul and R&B has made him one of Australia’s standout young performers having won two ARIA Awards, earning APRA recognition for his songwriting and supporting Ed Sheeran on tour.

Budjerah said he wanted to visit the schools so he could encourage children to live out their dreams.

“I want to show young kids that anything they want to do, and all their heart desires, is possible,” the artist said.

“I was a very shy kid so I hope the students can see themselves in me as well and help the shy kids to potentially come out of their shell.”

Fingal Head Public School Principal Belinda Eadsforth said the morning was filled with singing, connection and shared memories from Budjera’s time at Fingal Head where he completed his primary schooling 20 years ago.

“It was incredibly special for our students to see someone from this community who has made it in the music industry come back and perform for them,” said Ms Eadsforth.

“He was so inspiring and I think our students took a lot away from his visit today. What an incredible musician.”

Final Head Public is a rite of passage in Budjera’s family with his grandfather, father and three siblings all attending the small connected coastal school.

The artist’s mother, Mary Slabb, commended the caring environment, that has a strong emphasis on culture, Country and community, for the positive start to life it gave to her son and extended family.

“We always knew our kids had to come to Fingal given our family ties, and the smaller class sizes really helped them and gave them the space to learn in a different way and make really good friends,” she said.

Ms Slabb acknowledged Budjera’s kindergarten teacher as “one of the best things that could have happened to him”.

“His kindy teacher nurtured him and helped him to come out of his shell,” she said. “She has really impacted his life and still goes to his shows.”

Budjerah posted on Facebook saying he wanted to go back to “where it started” before the launch of his long-awaited debut studio album ‘Gentleman’.

“This is my family’s country; my language and my dances have always been very important to me and my identity and my family we own it very proudly,” Budjera said.

“I always love to come home to relax and feel normal again after travelling so much. It’s so good to be home and be a part of all the NAIDOC festivities here in Tweed.”

After his morning at Fingal Head, the artist popped across to Tweed River High School for a workshop with the music students and performing hits such as ‘Ready for the Sky’ with school band students.