Our Story & Heritage
The Pitcairn Connection
When our Pitcairn descendants established their new home on Norfolk Island they brought with them a profound musical tradition that would become the heartbeat of early island life.
The singing of hymns served as both a poignant reminder of the past, as well as a comforting balm for new challenges faced.
As time passed, Norfolk Islanders gained a well-deserved reputation for their natural musical talent and exceptionally melodious voices, creating harmonies that have moved listeners for generations. This wasn’t merely entertainment – it was the very fabric of community identity, passed down through families and woven into daily life.
A Living Tradition
The distinctive features of Norfolk Island hymn singing of natural harmonisation that emerges without formal training, the unhurried tempo that allows each word to resonate, the pure vowel sounds characteristic of the island’s accent, and the emotional expressiveness that makes our sound heritage so profoundly moving to listeners.
Your Churchill Fellow host
Creative director, heritage researcher and sound artist, Jodie Williams approaches Norfolk Island’s hymn tradition from both analytical and creative perspectives.
Born in Norfolk Island and a direct descendant of the Pitcairners who arrived in 1856, Jodie brings her personal connection and professional expertise to your musical heritage experience.
In 2013, Jodie was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, enabling her to travel to the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom to trace Norfolk Island’s sound heritage to its origins.
Her childhood memories of being encircled by her elders and their melodious singing provides the foundation for her insightful commentary of research and context to deepen your appreciation of this musical tribute.
‘In the Sweet By and By’ is Jodie’s creative project which has culminated over the past fifteen years and is now shared as a unique blend of a sound heritage as experienced within the magnificent acoustic structure of the historic St Barnabas Chapel.
This tribute weaves together narrative with rare historical recordings — some dating back to 1948 — and an organ recital; creating an evocative sound space for both visitors and locals to completely immerse themselves in the deep, resonant harmonies of our Norfolk Island elders.
This experience is incredibly moving, often bringing listeners to tears as they recall their own childhood memories of the singing of hymns as now shared by our Norfolk Island elders’ with their enduring presence and spirit through the power of song.
Organist
Like Jodie, Lisa Rodgers is a direct descendant of the Pitcairn Islanders who settled Norfolk Island in 1856. As an accomplished musician with a particular love of her island heritage, Lisa brings both technical skill and heartfelt connection to her playing of the historic Henry Willis Organ here, at St Barnabas Chapel.
Lisa’s musical journey began at a young age, naturally discovering her passion at family gatherings, following her father to band set-ups and attending church.
Lisa studied piano and cello, with a focus upon classical styles. She was fortunate to inherit her great-aunt’s piano (Charlotte Bailey) and great-grandfather’s cello (Charles Bailey). This family connection inspires and motivates Lisa’s love of music even more.
Lisa enjoys most genres of music, mainly jazz, from her father’s influence with a faith in believing that music can play a significant role in preserving Norfolk Island’s heritage for future generations.