Sound is Like a River – Bush Music Fund

The challenge was to create an engaging and accessible report that drives awareness while communicating the Bush Music Fund's achievements and goals. As a not-for-profit, budget constraints required a strategic approach. Guided by our commitment to Purpose-Driven Design Excellence, Rodeo delivered this project almost entirely pro-bono, applying skill and experience to achieve a strong outcome with carefully managed resources and time efficiency — all without compromising quality. The report needed to appeal to supporters, potential investors, and the broader music industry while maintaining a clear focus on storytelling, visual impact, and accessible language.

Rodeo believes that stories connect us all — they are the vessels that carry knowledge through generations. To capture this, Rodeo developed a strategic content and design approach for a modular, visually compelling report that integrates impactful storytelling with bold design. The content balances data-driven insights with engaging editorial features — including interviews, band stories, insights, and playlists — to create an emotional connection with readers. A flexible design system was established, allowing future editions to evolve while maintaining a consistent identity. Artist profiles, tour highlights, and community feedback further showcase the impact of the Bush Music Fund.

The report successfully improved the Bush Music Fund's visibility and awareness, showcasing the positive outcomes achieved through First Nations artist support and touring initiatives. It created a platform for increased social impact, shifting perceptions within the wider community while building credibility and trust with stakeholders and potential funders. The report also strengthened partnerships, supported capacity building, and enhanced cohesion. Its strategic design and content have better positioned the Bush Music Fund as a respected voice in the music industry, serving as a valuable tool for securing funding, fostering stronger collaborations, and driving greater on-the-ground impact for future growth.

- Dynamic Editorial Design: Combining bold layouts, vibrant imagery, and storytelling elements to captivate readers. - Community Voices: Featuring testimonials and feedback from remote communities to emphasise the Fund's grassroots impact. - Visual Storytelling: Showcasing artists, performances, and milestones with powerful imagery and design. - Both Ways Approach: Embracing a culturally inclusive approach that values reciprocal learning, ensuring mutual respect and understanding between First Nations communities and the broader music industry. - Pro Bono Support: Rodeo provided pro bono strategy, content and design services to support the communities served by the Bush Music Fund, ensuring the report effectively communicates its impact while maximising resources for community benefit. - Accessible Design: Ensuring clear language, intuitive navigation, and engaging content for a wide audience. - Scalable Framework: A flexible design system that can be adapted for future impact reports while maintaining a cohesive identity. - Celebrating People, Place, and Culture: Expressing the power of storytelling, collaboration, and cultural exchange — celebrating the rich connections to people, place, and culture that are important for all Australians to see and understand.