How do you initiate hard conversations when so much remains unsaid?
Sydney duo Mack & Cook – the acoustic partnership of Red Wiggle Murray Cook and Lizzie Mack – decided to do it the best way they know how, through the medium of song.
'A Sign Of The Times' comes as an offering, not a solution, but a contribution to continuing a conversation that needs to be had.
It gently presses the question, how can we collectively step up so justice is achieved for the original owners of this land? How can we all create a better future?
"If I could distill the motivation behind the lyrics into one line, it would be, 'we need to do better, and we need to do it now'. The Stolen Generation are waiting for our response and they deserve a treaty in their lifetimes," Mack says.
Being a cornerstone of The Wiggles for decades, Cook's political expression was somewhat hampered. Now free to express his voice alongside so many others, Cook wholeheartedly supported the Yes campaign.
He sees 'A Sign Of The Times' as a continued move forward, addressing our nation's unresolved issues, notably the absence of treaty.
"Significant change will only happen for First Nations people if we work together, listen to their voices and priorities, and make things happen," Cook states. "That is the hopeful and eager message we tried to impart in our new song."
'A Sign Of The Times' opens with true-blue visual metaphors, such as "the red dust blows where Gough and Vincent pour Gurindji sands".
Mack and Cook believe the moment Gough Whitlam poured sand into Vincent Lingiari's hands (in 1975) to represent the restoration of Aboriginal land to its owners, justice was served; and justice needs to continue.
The track emotes an Australiana-meets-Americana feel, country storytelling tradition meeting a hint of the blues.
It opens with a warped guitar tone reminiscent of staring through hazy mirages on the Australian outback plains.
It steadily moves through country guitar hooks as layered harmonies from Cook and local artist STO/NES provide a lush background for the track and its message to unfold gently yet powerfully. [Ed's note: STO/NES is the musical moniker of Grace Stokes, the writer of this story]
Beneath the warm sound, however, twists a deeper truth of sadness and disappointment, the grief carried by Aboriginal people, particularly the Stolen Generations.
It gestures to the waiting that has stretched across generations. It addresses the whiplash from the hope of Mabo into decades of political inertia, followed by the disappointment of the Yes campaign.
'A Sign Of The Times' carries the weight of lifetimes of deferred expectation. An attempt not to offer answers or closure, 'A Sign Of The Times' simply seeks to hold up a mirror, to find something enduring. It seeks to find more than just the question why.
The track also marks a cultural shift across media with new ABC programmes such as 'Always Was Tonight' bringing difficult conversations to the forefront, and addressing our nation's hard truths.
Tired of waiting, those desiring justice want an answer within their lifetime. They want re-ordered priorities and willingness to take responsibility. 'A Sign Of The Times' asks what can we do now for all our futures.
After the 2025 release of their debut single 'Time Goes By', 'A Sign Of The Times' etches another chapter in the book of Mack & Cook, a book that tells powerful stories with heart and soul.
As they head out on their national single-release tour across NSW, WA, ACT, VIC and QLD, Mack & Cook are one duo you don't want to miss.
Mack & Cook 2026 Tour Dates
Thu 26 Feb - The Indie Bar (Perth)
Fri 27 Feb - Nannup Music Festival
Sat 28 Feb - Nannup Music Festival
Sun 1 Mar - Nannup Brewery (Nannup)
Sun 8 Mar - Servo Food Truck Bar (Wollongong)
Fri 27 Mar - Smith's Alternative (Canberra)
Sun 29 Mar - Full Throttle Ranch (Newcastle)
Sun 12 Apr - Palomino Bar (Sydney)
Sat 18 Apr - Morty's Joint (Coffs Harbour)
Sun 10 May - The Retreat Hotel (Melbourne)
Sat 30 May - Sonic Sherpa (Brisbane)* 3pm show
Sun 31 May - The Junk Bar (Brisbane)
