g-oz Travel Program: AGC Host Families
What is the g-oz Travel Program?
The g-oz Travel Program offers selected girls from the remote communities of Halls Creek, Lockhart River, Kowanyama and Bidyadanga the chance to connect with peer-aged Australian Girls Choir members through a unique cultural exchange in a major Australian city. A key element of making these programs come to life is the incredible generosity of AGC families who volunteer to host our visiting participants.
This November marks the 22nd g-oz Travel Program, with 30 g-oz participants travelling to Sydney to take part in a week of performing arts workshops, mentoring, and performances, including singing alongside AGC choristers at the Sydney Annual Concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Throughout the week, g-oz participants are introduced to a range of educational and vocational pathways: experiences that support them in making informed decisions about their futures, especially when considering further study or employment opportunities beyond their hometowns.
What role do AGC Host Families play?
As the charitable arm of the Australian School of Performing Arts, Girls from Oz has proudly built strong and reciprocal ties with the AGC community since 2007. During the g-oz Travel Program, AGC host families are at the heart of this collaboration, welcoming g-oz participants into their homes and lives during the week.
Hosting is far more than just accommodation – it’s a powerful exchange that fosters connection, broadens perspectives and sparks lasting friendships.
As a host parent, you’re creating a shared experience that benefits everyone involved. You’re supporting a young woman to step into a new environment with confidence and curiosity, while also giving your own daughter the chance to grow in empathy, confidence and cultural understanding. These shared moments, whether around the dinner table, on the rehearsal run or singing together at home, offer meaningful opportunities for mutual learning and respect.
For g-oz participants, this simple act of welcome has a lasting impact. The relationships formed with host families can strengthen their engagement in the program, nurture their sense of belonging and open up new ways of imagining their future.
A special relationship
Hosting a g-oz participant is a powerful act of generosity and community spirit. It’s about creating an environment where a young woman can feel safe, respected, supported and at home – even when far from it. For many participants, staying with an AGC family becomes one of the most memorable and impactful parts of their trip.
We understand that welcoming someone into your home is a commitment. It requires preparation, patience and flexibility. Morning routines may be slightly busier, evenings may stretch a little longer, and you may find yourself needing to allow extra time for drop-offs and pick-ups. However, time and again each year, host parents tell us the experience is incredibly rewarding, for themselves, for their daughters and their families as a whole.
Our 2024 g-oz Travel Program AGC host parents reflect:
“We really enjoyed having the girls with us and Tessa (as an only child) was happy to have a couple of “sisters” around to hang with. Lots of singing around the house!” – Sunita and Andrew
“We thoroughly enjoyed sharing time with both Merindie and Briella [who] will always have a place in our hearts and home.” – Kylie
“It was our pleasure to host Sanchez and Shinead for their week in Sydney. We really enjoyed getting to know them both, and it was a good experience for our whole family to have an opportunity to navigate some of the cultural differences we discovered. It was a real highlight to watch Sanchez and Shinead sing with the rest of the g-oz tour group at the Annual Concert. What a beautiful rendition of True Colours! It brought tears to my eyes.” – Anne-Marie
A shared vision
Our host family model ensures the Travel Program remains personal, grounded and community-focussed. It’s a celebration of connection – where girls from vastly different parts of Australia can come together, learn from each other and grow in confidence and experience.
By hosting, you’re helping to create an encouraging, supportive space for young women from remote communities to explore themselves, their talents and their dreams. You’re contributing to a national conversation about equity, access and the power of opportunity.
To learn more or to express your interest in becoming a host family, please contact Hallie, g-oz Programs Assistant, at [email protected] or call (03) 9002 4894.
