Premier

Supporting The Creative Skills Of Young Victorians

11 September 2018

Young Victorians will have more opportunities to gain skills in performing and creative arts, design and event management, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s continued support of the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge.

Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos and Minister for Education James Merlino today announced a further $600,000 investment over three years, which will help fund this exciting and unique program until 2022.

The Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge encourages young people to create a short performance to tell a story, with a focus of developing career pathways for those interested in performing, creative arts and management.

Each school has the chance to take home a number of performance awards and be filmed for Wakakirri TV as part of the search for the ‘Story of the Year’. The Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge has Award Categories from Art-House through to Blockbuster Productions making it possible for every school to enter.

Hundreds of students from 15 Victorian schools participated in this year’s Secondary School Challenge in Victoria, with heats held in Bendigo, Frankston and Moonee Ponds.

Nine schools were selected as finalists and invited to perform at last night’s Awards ceremony at the Palais Theatre:

  • Bendigo South East Secondary College
  • Braybrook College
  • Hoppers Crossing Secondary College
  • Traralgon College
  • Belmont High School
  • Dromana College
  • Holy Trinity Lutheran College
  • Coburg High School
  • Mount Erin Secondary College

Hoppers Crossing, Dromana and Mount Erin secondary colleges were nominated for the national ‘Story of the Year’ title and were congratulated alongside all student participants by Minister for Education James Merlino who attended the awards ceremony last night.

The National Story of the Year will be announced on 17 October 2018 on Wakakirri TV.

The Labor Government is a proud supporter of the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge, which has engaged more than 6,100 students from 53 Victorian schools over the past five years. For more information about the Wakakirri Secondary School Dance Challenge, visit wakakirri.comExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos

“We are proud to be a longstanding supporter of the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge, which provides young Victorians with a unique opportunity to develop their creativity and confidence.”

“Our latest investment in this unique program is another example of how we’re supporting young Victorians build skills and be recognised for their contributions and abilities.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge – the event showcases true cross-cultural respect and celebration of the performing and creative arts.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?