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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RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA
Reconciliation Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation, the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. They promote and facilitate reconciliation by building relationships, respect, and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Reconciliation Australia presents the National Reconciliation Story Award at the Wakakirri Festival. This is awarded to schools that have created a powerful Wakakirri Story-Dance and have engaged in meaningful community work to foster respect, reduce prejudice, or strengthen relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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GREENFLEET
Greenfleet is an environmental not-for-profit organisation that has delivered climate action for over 25 years. We plant native, biodiverse forests in Australia and New Zealand to restore nature and capture carbon emissions on behalf of our supporters. Protected for up to 100 years, these forests restore habitat for wildlife and help fight the impacts of climate change. Our partnerships with local communities and Traditional Owners support broad benefits for the country and communities in which we live and work.
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PLANET ARK
Established in 1992, Planet Ark is one of Australia’s most trusted environmental organisations, focused on making positive environmental actions accessible to everyone.
As a not-for-profit, we help individuals, communities, governments, and businesses reduce their environmental impact, with a focus on collaborative, solution-based approaches to build a better world in balance with nature.
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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
