Australian music icon, John Williamson’s Voice of the Sea, an anthem for ocean protection he recorded for the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), has now become a children’s picture book.
In November, the song won an ARIA Award for an AMCS campaign produced by creative agency Innocean. The iconic singer and conservationist launched the song with the Glenmore Road Public School choir in November 2022 and it has now been performed by more than 15,000 school children around the country.
It’s not Mr Williamson’s first foray into children’s literature, having brought us the bestselling Old Man Emu and Christmas in Australia.
“My affinity with the ocean is as strong as my connection to and love for the bush,” says John.
“When I sat down to write about our love for the oceans, I couldn’t help but think about all the problems we’ve caused our seas and their wildlife, even though we say we love them.
“My lyrics reference global warming, overfishing and the risk of losing some of our incredible marine wildlife.
“It’s not too late but we need more people to sing out and be the voices of our seas. That’s why I wanted to support the Australian Marine Conservation Society with this song because they provide Australians with a way to speak out for our seas through its important conservation work.”
AMCS Chief Executive, Darren Kindleysides said John Williamson’s Voice of the Sea has become a phenomenon.
“From song to ocean anthem, from video to children’s book, we hope it inspires them to take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are to have this incredible big blue backyard and all the wondrous wildlife within it,” said Mr Kindleysides.
John Williamson has sold more than 5 million albums and passed a billion streams in a career spanning 52 years. He has won 27 Golden Guitar awards and four ARIA awards, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Mr Williamson is playing live around the country in February and March and will visit bookstores while on tour.
The Voice of the Sea book is available through bookstores and online: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/voice-of-the-sea-9781761344237
