Koongal Kid on path to success

FAMILY MAN: Former Rockhampton muso Robbie Mann, 27, is slowly climbing his way to the top of the music industry.

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HE’S all about family heritage and soul.

Former Rockhampton man Robbie Mann is hoping to hit the big time with his South Sea Islander and Aboriginal heritage-inspired original tunes.

The 27-year-old, dubbed The Kid from Koongal, is certainly on his way there.

In September he will travel to Brazil for three weeks of performing through the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts.

With his guitar in hand and singing voice primed he’s sure to take a lot from the experience.

Robbie is just one of many indigenous locals to have gone on to success in the performing arts industry including Katina Olsen, Jeremy Marou and David Williams.

Robbie was born in Rockhampton and grew up in Wandal and Koongal.

When he was young he was home-schooled while living in a variety of Australian western towns before again returning to Rockhampton in 1994 when his older sister started university at CQU.

Robbie continued to be home-schooled and also learnt at the Lighthouse Baptist Church before moving to Brisbane.

This year he will graduate from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts with a diploma in performing arts majoring in music.

During his study he has been privileged enough to sing at the Sydney Opera House, festivals in Brisbane and the Northern Territory and at different NAIDOC activities.

Robbie’s musical style is soul-infused with his traditional heritage.

He expresses his heritage through his harmonies and lyrics, which contain Bislama, the language spoken in Vanuatu.

Every year Robbie travels to Vanuatu to visit family.

He can almost speak Bislama fluently, as his elders don’t allow him to speak English while over there.

Robbie wants to produce his own album in coming years and this year he hopes to return to Rockhampton to perform at the popular Carols by Candlelight.

“I’ve sent through a demo to the organiser,” he said.

“Carols was a big thing for me in Rockhampton. I always watched the performers. It would be a highlight for me to perform back in my home town. Not many people know what I’ve accomplished.”

Robbie’s family still reside in Rockhampton.

It would be a highlight for me to perform back in my home town