Rocking The Schools With Peter Garrett

Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett is going back to school to help teach kids how to rock. The former Midnight Oil frontman has been announced as the patron of the Boost Mobile Rock the Schools initiative, which tours secondary schools and teaches students about careers in the music industry. Bands including Operator Please and Van She have passed on their knowledge and advice since the program began in 2006.

With 25 years and 13 albums as part of Midnight Oil, Garrett knows the industry well. At a time when many Australians are struggling through hard times, Garrett said young people should not be put off from pursuing a career in music. ‘I think that when we’re going through difficult times music means more to us than ever before,’ he said. Garrett’s first stop on his Rock the Schools tour will be at Brunswick Secondary College in Melbourne on 6 May 2009.