As a Torres Strait Islander she has focused her motivational speaking on areas where there are Indigenous students so she can share what country and culture means for her. 

“Everyone’s journey begins somewhere,” she said.

“Our financial situation wasn’t great and I grew up in domestic violence and this can all be excuses, but I never let them stop me from doing what I wanted to do.

“Don’t be deterred by the bad things in life, get up and do it.”

Students from Orange High School, Anson Street School, Bletchington, Bowen and   Orange East public schools  were invited to hear her talk and see her perform.

Ms Anu is best known for her songs including My Island Home, Party, Monkey and the Turtle and Come On, and she has also been involved with film and TV including a role in The Matrix.

As part of her Restylin’ Up Tour she was also booked to perform at the Orange Regional Conservatorium last night.

Ms Anu said she had been speaking at schools for about seven years to inspire young people to celebrate and do what they want to do and to feel like they want to be inspired by what they do.

“I get inspired by doing this kind of stuff and even if it’s just that one person that it gets through to,” she said.

“This is my way of reaching the next generation with my music.

“Most of my work like this is focused around NAIDOC so this is an unusual time of the year for me to do this kind of stuff.”

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au