His father Isaac was an avid country and western singer and Frank has performed in the Ulpanyali, Digital Dreaming, Terrasphere, Piranpa (meaning ‘skinny white lizards' in Pitjantjatjara) bands alongside his father’s Pitjantjatjara country band.

He also speaks five languages and can sing in both Pitjantjatjara and English. 

This year the Ballarat community will have the opportunity to bask in the folk singer’s prowess when he takes to the stage alongside prominent Melbourne musician David Bridie at the CAFS Survival International Film Festival.

The festival will run at the Ballarat Regent Cinemas from November 10-13, with this year’s edition to be extra special with CAFS commemorating its 150^th anniversary.

The mission of the festival is to share stories of survival, inspiration and endurance in the context of social justice, community living, Aboriginal peoples and human strengths.

While Mr Yamma has played in many international tours, he still rates Australia as his favourite place to perform, with Alice Springs holding a special place in his heart.

Mr Yamma said touring is like “exploring the other side of the world”.

“One minute you play and then you sleep and then you’re on a plane. “Every place has a different atmosphere," he said.

Mr Yamma’s last few albums, Countryman in 2010 and Uncle in 2014 have boosted his profile as an internationally recognised artist, with both featuring songs in English and traditional Pitjantjatjara.

 they are full of songs in both traditional language and English. 

I ask Frank about the meaning behind the song Make More Spear  (from the Countryman album) and he says he likes to “let the song do the talking” and that that song was about talking to his own community: “cut the bullshit and start living the life we want to live”. 

His Uncle album also claimed the best country album award at the recent Australian Independent Music Awards.

CAFS community engagement co-ordinator and director of SIFF, Neil Boyack, said Mr Yamma’s presence is a coup for the festival.

“In terms of indigenous folk singers, he’s as big as it gets,” Mr Boyack said.

“There’s also Dan Sultan, but Dan’s more in the rock genre.

The 2015 CAFS SIFF boasts three Australian premieres and can hold its own alongside any festival in the country, as well as being a major fundraiser for CAFS.

Mr Boyack said there are many highlights of this year’s festival.

“There’s too many to talk about really but if I had to choose, Wild Life – the story of a father living rough and with his two sons on the run. It’s a great example of contemporary film making, with a twist of fable,” he said.

“I can’t really understand why no Australian distributor has picked this up. It is challenging, yet uplifting. 

More information on the festival is available on the www.siff.net.au website.