WAKAKIRRI PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
Wakakirri is proud to be supported by a wide range of partners and supporters who share our commitment to inspiring young minds and promoting creativity in schools across Australia. Their generous support helps us provide a platform for students to express their stories through the art of Story-Dance, fostering personal growth, well-being, and positive social change.
KIDS HELPLINE
​Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, confidential 24/7 support service for children and young people. Offering phone, online, and email counselling, Kids Helpline provides a safe space for young people to talk about anything that’s on their mind, from everyday worries to more serious concerns.
Their dedicated team of professionals is there to listen, support, and guide young people through life's challenges, empowering them to feel heard and supported.
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OPEN PARACHUTE
Open Parachute supports schools through their evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning program, which teaches practical mental health skills to students.
Created by a team of Clinical Psychologists and educators, each lesson teaches a Trauma-Informed perspective to students through authentic documentary videos featuring Australian youth that showcase the journey of overcoming challenges.
Through curriculum-aligned, pre-prepared lessons for all year levels K-12, Open Parachute is working toward its mission to create generational change.
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THE SEBASTIAN FOUNDATION
The Sebastian Foundation was formed in 2013 by singer Guy Sebastian and his wife Jules and takes an early intervention approach to youth mental health. It aims to give young Australians the resilience and confidence they need to grow and be their best.
The Foundation prides itself on being a charity with extremely low overheads meaning the bulk of donations go directly to the cause.
Our primary focus is funding schools to implement a unique, award-winning in-school wellbeing program called Open Parachute. The program is built around authentic peer stories, as we share the Wakakirri belief that “great stories inspire change!”
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AMPLIFY
For over 25 years, FReeZA has played a key role in the Victoria’s music and arts scene. FReeZA has supported a generation of young people to access pathways into music and the creative industries as well as creating safe and accessible music and cultural events.
Now, we're excited to announce the launch of Amplify! A refreshed version of the FReeZA program, Amplify is designed to meet the dynamic needs of today’s young people across the state.
Amplify will also continue to support organisations to collaborate with young people to create, plan and deliver music, creative arts, and cultural events across Victoria.
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OUR WAKAKIRRI NATIONAL AMBASSDAORS
Wakakirri enjoys the support of some of Australia’s leading industry professionals who give their time as part of our National Panel to encourage the next performing arts generation. Wakakirri Ambassadors partner with Wakakirri in various ways including mentoring workshops. activities on Show Days, appearing in Waka TV, marketing and advocacy.​
EMMA WATKINS
SIMON PRYCE
JUSTINE CLARKE
ANDREW MCFARLANE
THE WAKAKIRRI STORY-DANCE ASSOCIATION INC.
The WSDAI Committee is governed by individuals from business, the arts and education sectors. As an incorporated association, the WSDAI produces an annual report and is publicly accountable.
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What is the WSDAI? The WSDAI is a not-for-profit organisation (since 2004) that uses storytelling, the oldest form of learning, as its focus for providing innovative educational programs to schools in a manner that resonates with contemporary youth culture.
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What does Wakakirri mean? The Aboriginal word Wakakirri means ‘to dance’ according to the Wangaaypuwan people from Cobar NSW.
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Our Aim: The WSDAI presents the Wakakirri Challenge to provide an education program for schools that develops student engagement and wellbeing through the sharing of stories and participation in the performing arts.
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Annual Reports: As an incorporated association, Wakakirri produces an annual report and is publicly accountable.
MEET THE WSDAI COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Wakakirri enjoys the support of some of Australia’s leading industry professionals who give their time as part of our National Panel to encourage the next performing arts generation. Wakakirri Ambassadors partner with Wakakirri in various ways including participating in Performing Arts Careers Day, mentoring workshops and activities on Show Days, appearing in Waka TV, marketing and advocacy.
ADAM LOXLEY
Festival Director
MATTHEW SAMUEL
Committee Vice President
PROF. TOM CALMA AO
Festival Patron
VALERIE HARROLD
Committee Member
GERRY GILCHRIST
Committee Treasurer
FRANCESCA VEITCH
Secretary
DARREN TASKER
Committee President
WAKAKIRRI OUTCOMES
Emotional Well-Being
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Students experience the feeling of achievement and intense satisfaction that comes from creating something significant
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Encourages personal growth including resilience and acceptance of responsibility
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Engagement in rehearsals and performance fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship
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Performing onstage in front of an audience creates lifelong memories and improves students’ self-esteem
Arts Education and Curriculum
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Schools that lack resources to deliver arts curriculum are provided with an equitable and accessible option that builds their internal capacity
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Develops creative and innovative thinking
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Students develop a deeper understanding of their story theme through the process of creating and sharing their Story-Dance
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Provides a positive life experience that fosters a lifelong love of art
Student Engagement
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Encourages enthusiasm for learning through creativity
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Increases school pride, strengthens student relationships, builds community within the school
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Opportunities for students to accept responsibility and demonstrate leadership
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Fosters student inclusion, there are roles for a broad range of physical and creative skills
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Provides an opportunity to explore career pathways and develop career aspirations​
Community Impact
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Engages students to explore and develop a deeper understanding of social issues relevant to them
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Provides a platform for students to express their views and share them with a large audience
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Teaches agency when advocating for a meaningful topic
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Promotes respect, empathy and awareness of cultural diversity, human rights & sustainability
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Establishes identity and a sense of engagement with society
Physical Well-Being
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Introduces new forms of physical expression including various dance or dramatic movement forms
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Provides a fun alternative to traditional PE or sport and similarly fosters physical fitness
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Provides student recognition at an inter-school level similar to district sports carnivals
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Students learn the value of physical inclusiveness and that people of all abilities can contribute to the team effort
Social Engagement
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Provides a hands-on experimential learning approach that actively engages students in sustainable practices
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Enables students to respect and embrace difference, and to establish identity and a sense of engagement with society
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Promotes cross cultural appreciation, valuation of their own and other communities ideas
