News and Reviews.

 Not many of us get to perform with the likes of country music greats, Lee Kernaghan and Adam Brand. Ann-Maree Marshall has. She plays no guitar and doesn't even sing. She "song signs". This is a special way of performing songs for the Deaf using a form of sign language.

   Ann-Maree was born in Quirindi. She started school there, later moved to Newcastle to continue her education, And then returned near to her home to Tamworth. She has four children aged from 2 to 14.

   Ann-Maree Marshall has had to overcome many problems in life. Everyday activities like watching television, gaining employment, communicating, getting educated, and socialising are much harder for hearing impaired people.

   Things have improved though: there are subtitles videos, special phones for the Deaf, a greater awareness of Sign Language and special schools. One problem that hasn't been rectified is the naïve assumption that Deaf is dumb. This is totally incorrect.

   Ann-Maree has been the president of the Tamworth Deaf Access Committee. The committee aims to improve Deaf peoples access to the wider community by promoting a positive view of Deafness. They also organise a lot of activities for the Deaf. One of their most effective projects was to get involved in the 2001 Country Music Festival. At the last festival Ann- Maree led a culturally refreshing project called "Song Signing".

   "Song Signing" is a way of communicating a song to the Deaf. It involves someone getting up on stage and acting out in time with the song. The actions are a visual representation of the words. If the song is about love, then you have to appear like you are in love. There is obviously a great deal of work that goes on before the song is finally performed, things like learning the rhythm and the actions. When the song is finally performed all the hard work pays off. Many members of the audience get emotional watching her, and Adam Brand, who she once performed with, shed a tear after sharing the stage with her. Ann-Maree says "Song Signing" is great. Although nerves rack her at the start of a song, The crowds loved her. Ann-Maree doesn't get paid for her work but she says she does it for the enjoyment it brings to her and others.

   Ann-Maree's work has seen a greater influx of people inquiring about Sign Language and her workshops on mime. Apart from encouraging others to learn "Song Signing" and working with them, Ann-Maree has many long term goals. She thinks she may go on the road, performing and bringing "Song Signing" to other Deaf people. This sums up the kind of person she is Ann-Maree could lie down and have everything done for her, she has the perfect excuse, but unselfishly she gives her time to help deaf people, I struggle to find the words to describe such a person as Ann-Maree Marshall.

Tim Howle
William Cowper Primary School

 "Profoundly Deaf performer Ann-Maree of Tamworth treated us to signed versions of Adam Brand's popular songs. Her heart-felt performance will stick with my memory for many years to come. She is most defiantly one very talented lady."

Quoted by Kay Fitzgibbons, Forced Image Photographer, Sydney.

"A swan couldn't be more graceful than this delightful young lady who confidently and with impeccable timing opens up the world of country

music to those who can only wonder at the pleasure we hear. Anne-Maree brings heaven to earth for a legion of Australians and we welcome them to our world of country music."

Quoted by Dallas Briggs, Manager, Country Capital News.