Young people pursuing careers in the performing and creative arts have received a boost in their story-telling abilities thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.
At Melbourne’s Hamer Hall for the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge final last night, Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos announced $600,000 would be provided to continue the program for another three years.
The Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge helps young people create and share a story that has real meaning to them. Their story is then shared with audiences through dance and performance.
This year, around 1,000 young people from 12 schools and two dance companies participated in the program statewide. The seven school finalists were:
- Bendigo South East College
- Traralgon College
- Rosebud Secondary College
- Lyndhurst Secondary College
- Xavier College - Kostka Hall
- Hoppers Crossing Secondary College
- Dromana College.
Joint winners were Hoppers Crossing Secondary with the portrayal of an alternative to Snow White, exploring the anxieties facing male youth, and Rosebud Secondary College with the historic story of five girls who mysteriously disappeared during a pleasant school outing in the 1900s.
The Labor Government is proud to be a major partner of the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge, providing $200,000 a year in funding for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Challenge is a gateway for students seeking careers in performing and creative arts, design and management.
Each year, hundreds of students create ‘story-dances’ that reflect their thoughts, ideas and aspirations.
These stories are performed in professional theatres in front of official Wakakirri judges who search for the ‘Story of the Year’.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos
“We know the importance of the performing and creative arts in stimulating our young minds, which is why the Andrews Labor Government is encouraging the outstanding and extraordinary skills of Victoria’s young people.”
“Teachers and principals involved in the Wakakirri Challenge are overwhelmingly positive about its benefits to young participants – and we are proud to be supporting this for another three years.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020