2025 g-oz Travel Program to Sydney
This November Girls from Oz participants from across four remote Australian communities engaged in a cross-cultural and educational exchange to Sydney as part of the 2025 g-oz Travel Program.
Girls from Oz (g-oz) undertook its 22nd Travel Program which saw 32 participants from Halls Creek and Bidyadanga in Western Australia and Lockhart River and Kowanyama in Queensland embark on a week-long visit to the heart of Sydney.
This year’s cohort enjoyed a dynamic program of high-quality performing arts education, mentoring activities, workshops and performances as well as the unique opportunity to perform on stage alongside the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) at the Sydney Opera House as part of the AGC Annual Concert.
‘We aim to spark imagination in these young women about what they might be when they grow up. In one week they are exposed to an incredible range of people and experiences that we hope will inspire them to remain engaged at school and strive to be successful. These opportunities aren’t available in their home towns and we know the lasting benefits of eye-opening experiences on this impressionable age group.’
– Nicole Muir AM, g-oz Chair
Opening up a world of opportunity
The program’s itinerary strives to expand horizons in the performing arts and, most importantly, inspire and encourage participants to explore and consider future education and employment pathways on their journey to success.
Highlights of the program included a dance workshops with NAISDA Dance College; a campus visit to Gawura School; vocational experiences at Google Head Office in Pyrmont and Insignia Financial Head Office in Parkline Place; and a visit to Admiralty House for a meet-and-greet with Her Excellency the Honourable Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC.
Girls from Oz at Admiralty House with Her Excellency the Honourable Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC and Nicole Muir AM, g-oz Chair and CEO of Australian School of Performing Arts.
Girls from Oz at Admiralty House alongside the Australian Girls Choir and the International Girls Choir – Singapore.
The 2025 g-oz Travel Program cohort enjoyed vocational and educational experiences at Insignia Financial; Google’s Sydney Headquarters; and performing arts workshops at Gawura School.
Throughout the week, the g-oz group also visited Manly Beach, Hyde Park and even enjoyed a ferry ride!
Our campus visit to NAISDA Dance College was a definite highlight! The g-oz girls were able to meet and connect with NAISDA’s practising and developing artists, and participate in dance workshops, including a hip hop workshop with Tahlia Watton.
“…that was so amazing because they got to see students that aren’t that much older than them, but are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, doing something within the Arts…they picked up the moves in no time and were loving life.” – Tyla, Kowanyama State School teacher
Thank you to NAISDA CEO Kim Walker AM for having us; and Aba, Berthalia, Tahlia and all of NAISDA’s practising and developing artists for your time and enthusiasm leading these workshops and inspiring these 32 g-oz Travel Program girls!
The end-of-week concert at the Sydney Opera House was a truly incredible moment with participants singing loud and proud on the iconic Opera House stage.
The g-oz cohort performed Crazy Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’, then joined the Australian Girls Choir for a massed ‘Frozen’ medley finale to close out the show.
A week of two-way learning
Participants were hosted by AGC choristers and their families who supported them throughout the week as they navigated new experiences alongside AGC choir rehearsals.
Throughout the week both g-oz girls and their AGC host sisters experienced an invaluable exchange of cross-cultural education as stories were shared of one another’s life experiences, aspirations, culture and cultural identity.
The g-oz Travel Program cannot exist without the AGC families who so generously open up their homes to welcome and support participants, ensuring that they have the most memorable and joyful week possible.
The g-oz team would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all AGC families who took part in this year’s program. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!
Celebrating 22 g-oz Travel Programs!
Since 2010, g-oz has delivered 22 Travel Programs to over 300 girls living in remote Australia where participants have travelled to either Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney or Perth to access high-quality performing arts opportunities intended to improve engagement in their schooling and employment outcomes.
Click here to see all g-oz Travel Program performances.
The 22nd Travel Program ran between 24 November – 1 December in Sydney, Australia.
You can read more about the g-oz Travel Programs here.
