TESTIMONIALS

Aboriginal Community College

On behalf of the staff of the Aboriginal Community College, I would like the thank Dennis and Sandra for all their hard work. We had a lot of fun during the workshops and the trips to the theatre were an added bonus and something new for our students.

I believe that our students have benefited enormously in terms of self-confidence, pride in and respect for their culture and respect for the environment.

Community Arts Network

June 2006

"Thank you very much for your invaluable input into the recent Livexorx Creative Pathways Training Program, it was kindly appreciated. The feedback from the young participants involved had been extremely positive and has indicated that workshop facilitators are the most enjoyable part of the course. Your involvement in the course has therefore contributed to a positive learning experience for these young people, had provided a source of inspiration and information, and has facilitated the skills which will support these participants in accessing further training or employment in the arts industry."

Simone Ruane, Liveworx Coordinator

John Curtin College

"The content of the workshops was fantastic – excellent mix of learning traditional dance and the history of Aboriginal people… the whole residency was outstanding"

Teacher Jane Diamond

John Curtin College

"I learned that dances should be treated with respect because they mean something.. it was fun."

Student

John Curtin College

"The facilitators were really helpful and TALENTED !! I really enjoyed learning different Aboriginal dances."

Student, aged 13

John Curtin College

"I learnt that Indigenous culture is not just about hunting animals to ge food. They are normal people, just like us."

Student, aged 13

John Curtin College

POEM

You touched us with your kindness,
And now I dance with fineness,
You taught us our real history
And now it is no mistery
We expressed ourselves in different ways
From the tall emu, to the kangaroo that lays.

For teaching us I thank you, and I will dearly miss you

Phoebe Woodhead

Kensington Primary School

Daniel’s interaction with the children was brilliant. He spoke to them in their language. Both the didge playing and dancing with the children was terrific. It was a joy to watch him working with the kids

Teacher Kym Cranswick

West Greenwood Primary School

March 2005

"We’d like to share one of our special professional learning experiences. Recently we all enjoyed participating in workshops run by Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre Company as part of our professional learning program. Derek Nannup facilitated our staff workshops and his commitment to promoting Aboriginal culture meant that we built on our prior knowledge of Aboriginal history.

We had a great time participating in a cooperative team environment to produce two Aboriginal plays and then perform for each other. We made our own scenery and used some very basic props, which Derek provided for us. The ‘actors’, ‘directors’, ‘media marketers’ and sound and lighting ‘engineers’ worked together to produce a fairly decent effort… well Derek thought so anyway!

We learned a lot about Aboriginal theatre and just how important it can be to promote Aboriginal perspectives to the broader community."

Excerpt from school newsletter