Girls from Oz 2011 Appeal

Give all young people the opportunity to access and enjoy the benefits of the Performing Arts.

Girls from Oz (g-oz) is a not for profit organisation premised on the a strong belief that all young people should be able to access and enjoy the benefits of the performing arts, regardless of economic position, geographic location or residential status. Girls from Oz was formed in 2007 by committed and passionate directors, alumni and staff of the Australian School of Performing Arts (ASPA), which encompasses the Australian Girls Choir (AGC), Aus Girls Dance (AGD) and Australian Arts Alive (a3). g-oz utilises the 27 years of expertise and experience of the ASPA team to deliver performing arts workshops encompassing song, dance, drama, language and story telling.

It's all about providing activities that will expand life experiences, create connections, encourage growth in confidence and increase opportunities for the many thousands of young people who have limited access to high quality education.

Our experience has shown that young people develop a strong sense of self-esteem, discipline and confidence as a direct result of singing, dancing, playing and performing with others - benefits that are then applied in their everyday lives in the community.

Engaging Indigenous girls and young women in the Kimberley - both within and outside of school - by using an innovative performing arts education program to create education, training and employment pathways.

After a number of successful projects in Australia and overseas, since 2008 most of our energy has been focussed in Australia's North West where we have been working with the children and teenaged girls in the remote community of Halls Creek, in the Kimberley region of North Western Australia.

The identified aims for this program are:

• The creation of pathways for young Indigenous women to move into training, education and/or employment by suing high quality performing arts activities as a vehicle to foster self confidence, self esteem, and an improved self image
• The development of communication skills, leadership capacity and team work behaviours, which the girls and young women will seek to implement in various aspects of their lives, positively impacting their community
• The provision of opportunities for girls and young women in Halls Creek to travel to eastern Australia and be involved in cultural exchange, study and career exploration, workshops and performances
• The delivery of a series of performing arts workshops of the highest calibre to the young residents of Halls Creek that will result in improved attendance at school and higher participation in after school offerings and community events

"Dancing and singing is fun, even my little sister now knows the moves and how to sing songs because I taught her. One girl came up to me and said 'how can you sing and dance like that?' I said it doesn't matter I'm loving it and I'm not shame. I also said I like to have fun, you should come and join in but she didn't want to and she sat back down but that doesn't get you anywhere." Kristyn, g-oz participant, Halls Creek District High School

The success of the g-oz program in Halls Creek has clearly demonstrated the need for a focus on girls. Halls Creek District High School has reported an increase in girls' attendance which school leadership views as significant and directly related to g-oz.

g-oz Supporter

As a g-oz supporter you can contribute by way of tax deductible donations and you will be informed about g-oz projects by email.