The Healing Sounds of the Bungarun Orchestra

In 1936 The John Of God Sisters took over ccontrol of the Bungarun Leprosarium

for Aboriginals near Derby in WA. The Holy Mother, who was a

classical musician as well as a nursing Sister, developed an orchestra

there. Now 50 years later the remaining musicians talk about their time

then.

The Derby Leprosarium was home to hundreds of north Western Australian

Aboriginals suffering from Leprosy. This is a historical documentary

that traces the lives of a number of patients who played in the Lepers

Orchestra, playing Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner and even Handel, this

curious ensemble lifted the spirits of all who were there. This is the

story of the journey that some surviving members of the orchestra take

back to the medical institution.