Saha
Saha discovered western music at a young age, through her father. Despite it being her passion, singing or playing music is banned for women in Iran. In May 2013, aged 21, Saha left Iran alone after illegally recorded music of her singing was uploaded on to the internet. Finding her way as an asylum seeker in Brisbane, Australia, Saha performed at the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) and met the Scattered People band. In 2015 Saha moved to Melbourne and continued to return to Brisbane to record and film, and in 2018 while in Melbourne Saha, received her Temporary Protection Visa. Sadly, after a long struggle with her mental health, exacerbated by her visa status uncertainty, Saha returned to Iran in late 2019 where she now lives quietly with her parents. Her musical dreams unfulfilled for now.
Mas
In June 2012, 23-year-old Mas fled Iran in just three days fearing arrest and imprisonment after he was discovered playing western music and singing about the unfairness of the government. He travelled with his father by air to Indonesia and later by boat to Australia. Mas arrived at Christmas Island, before being transferred to the Wickham Point Detention Centre in Darwin. After several months he was transferred again, to the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA), where he met the Scattered People band. After extended uncertainty and restrictions, Mas was released and became a regular in the Scattered People, recording and performing with the band. After four years he was granted a Temporary Protection Visa. He co-owns a successful business in Brisbane employing 8-12 people, works six days a week and sings when he can.
Brian Procopis
Brian is a community development worker and musician, the Chair of Sweet Freedom Inc. and Coordinator of Community Development Programs for Lifeline. With his academic background in sociology and psychology he has had roles as a project co-ordinator and community musician with Uniting Care Community and other organisations. He is well-known for his work with the Scattered People’s Choir in the Pinkenba Detention Centre in Brisbane. Brian is now retired and remains closely connected with the Scattered People.
Yani Mills - Choirmistress
Yani's aim and life purpose is 'to help people find their joy in life through singing'. She has experienced a successful and eclectic career as a singer, performer, choir mistress and workshop facilitator. Her love of all styles of music is matched by her abilities - equally adept in from Blues to Gospel, Traditional African styles to Indian Devotional singing, from Soul to Klezmer. Yani has always been passionate about the arts and through her first love of acting and dancing, singing and music became her calling. She is the choir mistress for several choirs in (Australia and India) a private singing coach, a multi-disciplinary singing, voice, body percussion and confidence/performance workshop facilitator, and an event producer and more.
Robbie James - GANGgajang
Musician/Composer/ Music Producer Robbie James is a legend in the Australian music industry having been a member of the iconic Australian bands, GANGgajang and Yothu Yindi. He is a well-respected composer, musician, arranger and song writer and a key collaborator in the Scattered People documentary.
Robbie has worked with many well-known Australian artists from writing songs for three albums for Wendy Matthews, to touring the world for five years with Yothu Yindi, and releasing two solo albums - Suzannah Suite (2000), and Secrets in The Sand (2006).
Robbie has been with GANGgajang for 32 years, joining the band as lead guitarist in 1985, completing the line-up that went on to record the self-titled debut album. Loaded with hits, including the timeless Sounds of Then (This Is Australia) - now regarded as one of the all-time classic Australian albums. They have continued to record new material and tour the country and recently released their first single in 10 years, Circles in The Sand, from a forthcoming new album.
Since 2012 Robbie has been involved with the Scattered People project playing music with asylum seekers and kindred spirits - performing live and producing, arranging and co-writing many of the songs on their latest album, Sugarmill Road. Writing songs together with the goal of sharing experiences in a happy environment, and to give a voice to the voiceless; to see hope and confidence grow within the realm of music.