How awesome is Lockhart River?!
The easy-going, warm nature of the community of Lockhart River is just the tip of the iceberg. The second that we stepped foot into the school, giggling kids came racing up to us, bubbling with excitement and overflowing enthusiasm! The entire community welcomed us with waves and smiles, and we could immediately feel what an exciting week lay ahead. Even the youngest of students at Lockhart State School shared this energy and confidence! It was especially wonderful to see such…
Emma’s week of new experiences
It was a week of new experiences, exciting developments and fantastic celebrations for the brilliant Girls from Oz in Carnarvon. My name is Emma and I had the absolute privilege of attending the first trip to Carnarvon for 2019, and what a thrill it was. Accompanied by experienced g-oz Instructors, Jane and Shelley, I felt immediately welcomed into the team and it was fantastic to have their guidance and support for my first visit. Carnarvon Community College has recently had…
Consistent return of g-oz felt by Lockhart River girls
Last week I led a team of three in the community of Lockhart River for the first time. The week was a great success and a wonderful opportunity for me to hone my leadership skills! The team and I made some great connections with staff at the school and with government representatives who travel in and out of the community. We were also fortunate to visit town at the same time esteemed g-oz Patron, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO. Ms…
Nikayah, DJ and Sherose: Future aspirations of 3 Halls Creek girls
At the end of a big week in Halls Creek, Laura A, Ashlee and I spoke with long-time g-oz participants Sherose (Year 10), DJ (Year 11) and Nikayah (Year 10) about their g-oz experience and their ambitions for life after school. “We have all been participating in g-oz since we were in Year 3 or 4 at Halls Creek District High School and between us, we have been on the Travel Programs to Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. This week our…
Adjusting to the ‘big smoke’: Mackenzi thanks her AGC host family
Last year, on the 12th of November, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to fly across the country to stand alongside hundreds of girls and perform in front of thousands of people. I was one of ten lucky Carnarvon Community College students selected to represent my school and community as part of the Girls from Oz Travel Program to Melbourne. We met new people, made many new friends, lived with a family we’d never met, and rehearsed as…
Velda’s story – a week in the life of a Lockhart River girl in Melbourne
Pictured: Velda Love and Clerissa Rokeby-Thompson giggling at Government House Last week I went to Melbourne for the Girls from Oz trip, it was incredible. The thing I liked best was singing on stage in front of lots of people. I also loved the opportunity to stay with a host family; they were friendly, kind and they looked after Clerissa and myself very well. On the trip we got to explore Melbourne, going to Government House to perform ‘I Am…
Nearly 3 years on: Sally’s rewarding return to Halls Creek
I’m fortunate enough to have been visiting Halls Creek since 2010 and have just returned from my 11th trip where I was blown away by the girls’ energy, drive and commitment. Prior to this trip, I was last in Halls Creek in Term 1 of 2016 when I was pregnant with my first child. My little one has just turned 2 and he’s grown up seeing photos and videos of what he calls “Mummy’s girls”. He tells me they “do…
Reflections in the hot Lockhart River sun
I have landed in Melbourne after a week of hot sun and tropical jungle in Lockhart River. This trip was my third with g-oz, and I feel with each visit an easier transition into teaching and connecting with the kids. It is always an exciting experience going up with a new team and I learnt so much from watching Rachel and Ginger interact with the community. Team teaching provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your own teaching, and to…
Carnarvon 2018 – That’s a wrap!
I am beyond grateful to have been able to join the fourth and final g-oz trip to Carnarvon this year. Having spent a week with the girls on the last trip in August, I was delighted to spot many familiar faces across the junior and senior campuses of Carnarvon Community College. Leading the trip was Program Director, Kylie Lee-Archer, with dance expertise from Rhiannah Boch. At the primary school, girls in years 3 to 5 tackled new musical concepts through…
Program Director, Kylie, celebrates 30 deadly g-oz trips!
Fresh off the plane from Carnarvon to Halls Creek, today our Program Director, Kylie, celebrates her 30th g-oz trip! 11 years ago Kylie joined with the Directors of the Australian School of Performing Arts (ASPA) as they dreamt up Girls from Oz. Since then she has nurtured the program and been instrumental in turning it into a powerful educational presence in the lives of young women living in remote Australia. In the very early stages of g-oz history, Kylie travelled…