Executive Summary

Robinvale Youth Performing Arts CentreFeasibility Study 2019

Feasibility Study Focus Area

Support & acceptance of a Robinvale Youth Performing Arts Centre (RYPAC)

of surveyed locals said a youth performing arts centre of excellence would be good for the region

Wentworth

OUYEN

Underbool

Balranald

Euston

Tooleybuc

MoulameinManangatang

Nyah West

Swan Hill

Sea Lake

Red Cliffs

Mildura

Dareton

Ryah Box Flat

HatfieldWentworth

Robinvale

8 focus groups

700+ survey responses

87%

The Research

New South Wales

Victoria

say there is a lack of opportunities to participate in performing arts

feel that there are not enough performing arts opportunities in the region

Rated 4 out of 5 stars for importance of performing arts

Parents & guardians

“It is long overdue. Our region is overlooked time and again, it would be an enormous surge of confidence in this community and in particular, the young people for years to come.”

Aboriginal Elder (Survey respondent)

72% 72%

71%

The Need

want to do performing arts for fun or as a career

Youth

The Approach*Sustainable community approach

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture & History

WellbeingPerforming Arts

Multicultural“There needs to be a recognised and ongoing Indigenous Arts Program within the RYPAC to give Indigenous young people a ‘safe’ place to start performing arts, they need to start as young children before the shame starts. That gives us pride that our culture is important, that we are recognised and valued.”

Aboriginal Elder(Survey respondent)

*Developed by Annabelle Sharman

Increased community cohesion

Reductions in crime and violence

13/15 education providers said student confidence increased after participating in a performing arts program with arts company Phunktional

said performing arts has had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing or that of someone they knew

The ImpactCommunities with access to arts infrastructure and performance can experience:

49%

Economic growth through employment and tourism

Positive environmental outcomes

“Watching a child build their confidence by way of performing and expressing whom they really are...activities such as football-basketball just didn’t fit in the same way!”

Parent of a child aged 9 to 20(Survey respondent)

"On the brink of throwing in the towel, I was taken into the Phunktional program and got closer to my peers than I'd ever thought possible. My confidence in my musical works grew to the point where I could finally show them to others, and I became a part of many great communities I would have missed out on otherwise! To say something like art or a program has "saved" you is nearly always a dramatic overexaggeration, but in this case I really do feel that my life wouldn't have turned anywhere near as good as it has if it weren't for the fact I was brought into this program. Thank you." 

Male Sunraysia region participant, aged 21 or over (Survey respondent)

Factors For Success

"Phunktional's programs have been great for the social and emotional health of students. There is a higher incidence of youth suicide in Robinvale College – creative outlets have been important for young people facing grief and loss or their own mental health." 

Teacher (Survey respondent)

Local culture must be core to the performing arts programs on offer

Parent and guardian support for their child’s involvement in the performing arts

Robinvale Youth Performing Arts Centre being community owned and built on community partnerships

Promotion and understanding of the benefits of the performing arts

Demand drivers such as high quality and diverse experiences and opportunities

School commitment to students experiencing, and participating in, the performing arts

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Acknowledgements

Robinvale CollegeSacred Heart Primary School, MilduraSt Joseph’s College, MilduraSt Joseph’s Primary School, Balranald (K-6)St Josephs, Red CliffsSt Mary Catholic Primary School, Swan HillSt Marys, RobinvaleSt Paul’s, MilduraSun Centre Christian School, Swan HillSunraysia TAFE, MilduraSwan Hill CollegeSwan Hill North Primary SchoolSwan Hill Primary SchoolSwan Hill Specialist SchoolSwan Hill TAFEThe Lake Primary, MerbeinTooleybuc Central School (K-12)Trinity Lutheran, MilduraUltima Primary SchoolWentworth Public School (K-6) Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operativeWoorinen Primary School

Mallee District Aboriginal ServicesMallee Sexual Assault Unit, Mallee Domestic Violence ServicesMildura Rural City CouncilMurray Valley Aboriginal Co-operativeRobinvale District Health ServicesRobinvale Network HouseSwan Hill Rural City Council

Organisations

Morgan Appleby (Local Area Coordinator, Phunktional)Sara Broster (Principal, Robinvale College)Garry Costello (Former principal, Irymple Secondary College)Louisa Cox (Project design consultant)Phillip Egan (Local artist)Jodie Farrugia (Former artistic director, Flying Fruit Fly Circus)Jade Ficarra (Councillor, Swan Hill Rural City Council)Jennifer Grigg (M2C Consulting Services)Calvin Henry (Manager of Family and Youth Services, Mallee District Aboriginal Services)Cindy Hinterholzl (Our Place, Robinvale)Jim Hirst (School Focused Youth Services, Swan Hill)Mary Khouri (Corporate Business Manager, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative)Robin Laurie (Circus Elder)Norsiyah Mokak (First Peoples Training Institute)Phillip Murray (Local artist)Bruce Myers (Director, Swan Hill Rural City Council)Barb O'Hara (Wellbeing, Red Cliffs Secondary College)Ana Rees (Former principal, Robinvale College)Greg Rhodes (Assistant principal, Merbein Secondary College)Wendy Saluni (Music teacher)Annabelle Sharman (Local Area Coordinator, Phunktional)Joanne Sheehan-Paterson (Chief Executive Officer, Mallee Sexual Assault Unit, Mallee Domestic Violence Services)Tess Spaven (Local Area Coordinator, Phunktional)Lisa-Maree Stevens (Executive Director, Mallee Sexual Assault Unit, Mallee Domestic Violence Services)Glenn Stewart (Project Manager, Regional Skills Taskforce-Mallee)Dr Arron Veltre (Report consultant)Denise Veltre (Survey consultant) Rachael Williams (Local Logic Place)Antonette Zema (Arts and Culture Development Manager, Mildura Arts Centre)

Individuals

Balranald Central School (K-12)Beverford Primary SchoolCardross PrimaryChaffey Secondary, MilduraCoomealla High School (7-12)Dareton Public School (K-6)Euston Primary School (K-6)FLO Campus Swan HillGol Gol Public School (K-6)Henderson College, MilduraIrymple PrimaryIrymple Secondary CollegeIrymple SouthLa Trobe, MilduraLake Boga Primary SchoolMackillop Catholic High School, Swan HillManangatang P-12Merbein P-10Mildura English Language CentreMildura PrimaryMildura SeniorMildura SouthMildura Specialist SchoolMildura WestNichols Point, MilduraNyah District Primary SchoolOur Lady of The Sacred Heart Primary, MerbeinOuyen P-12 CollegeRanfurly Primary, MilduraRed Cliffs EastRed Cliffs PrimaryRed Cliffs Secondary College

Schools

Dance Theatre Film Youth Projects

phunktional

Report prepared November 2018 | Rachael Williams, Local Logic Place | Online survey design and results analysis by researcher Ebony Hack | Focus group facilitation, report design and development by Annabelle Sharman