About John Shortis's Fellowship research

Protests have frequently been in the news in recent times, including the school children's climate change rallies, protesters gluing themselves to bridges and paintings, the SA government's laws preventing disruption, COVID-19 protests, women's March4Justice, transgender demonstrations that see a politician being expelled from her party, and more. Against this contemporary background John Shortis researched the many oral history recordings, sheet music, manuscripts, newspapers, and pictures held by the National Library to seek out songs and stories of protests from World War I to now.

John brings together songs and story-telling, comedy and cabaret in this research presentation with a difference. He and singer Moya Simpson tell the story of Australian protest songs with their community choir, Worldly Goods, as the rabble-rousers. As well as singing their hearts out, the choristers, clad in an array of cause-driven T-shirts, interject with slogans and placards at irregular intervals. After playing to packed houses at the National Folk Festival Something Worth Fighting For is now coming to the National Library live. Informative, surprising, funny and poignant – don't miss it.

About John Shortis and Moya Simpson

John Shortis is a songwriter/musician/researcher who creates original cabaret shows based on history and politics. He is the 2024 National Folk Fellow, a research Fellowship jointly offered by the National Library of Australia and the National Folk Festival.

Moya Simpson is a singer/choir leader with a passion for world music, and the value of community choirs. Worldly Goods Choir was formed by Moya Simpson in 1998, and since then has appeared regularly at festivals and community events, as well as in concerts and theatrical productions.

Together John and Moya are comedy cabaret duo, Shortis & Simpson, known especially for their annual political satire shows.

About the National Folk Fellowship

The annual National Folk Fellowship is offered jointly by the National Library of Australia and the National Folk Festival. The National Folk Fellowship has supported established and emerging folk practitioners to further their work using the Library's collections, including musicians, singers, dancers, poets, performance artists and performers.