shining brighter

Thanks to the Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus in Perth, children are shining while having fun learning new life skills

WORDS CATRIONA GILLIES LAWSON

Photos: Armadale Noongar Corporation initiative
supported by World Vision Australia

The Armadale Noongar Corporations Circus Project, which oversees Perth’s Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus, is one of the many projects across the region that Jetstar Airways sponsors through World Vision StarKids. Recently, Jetstar flew 10 lucky staff members to Perth to see first-hand how the StarKids fundraising has helped these children.

The group spent a weekend in Perth watching the Circus then meeting knowledgeable Noongar elders who discussed the long-standing issues affecting their community.

Shannon Manado, a member of Jetstar’s international cabin-crew, was especially excited. Manado is based in Cairns, but he grew up in Western Australia, so being

chosen to represent Jetstar in his home state was a great opportunity. “As an indigenous person I couldn’t be prouder of these kids. They were full of smiles and joy, and with an obvious passion for doing something they believed in,” he explained. “You could see the dedication, timeless practice and hard work. It especially showed their courage, confidence and trust in each other. And best of all – they were having fun.”

The performance by Magik
Monkeyz Noongar Circus was
inspired by stories from Legends
of the Bibulmun by Eddie BennellThe Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus performance on Saturday night by the young circus performers was by all accounts just that – magic. It was proudly presented by “Respect Your Culture Respect Yourself” and just as proudly attended by family and friends.

The circus started in 2004 in the Perth suburb of Armadale, and while it doesn’t have its own big top yet, it does have many top performers. It evolved from an initiative by the late Dr Reg Bolton, an international expert on community circus, and local Noongar elders under the guidance of World Vision Australia. Circus was chosen as it’s an art form that combines physical activity, tolerance, risk taking, teamwork and communication in activities that combine both traditional elements with contemporary culture.

In Armadale, indigenous family ties are close and most are Noongar people with nearly half under the age of 14, so the program focusses on youth. But it has a wider approach – to help strengthen ties to traditional culture and to provide a positive, enriching environment in which children can grow.

The lessons children learn assist them in developing important life skills and strengthening their sense of identity. In particular, acquiring skill sets such as these has a positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of the children. Until the circus, football had been the primary outlet for children and now the circus offers an alternative with three workshops each week for varying skill levels.

Puppet-making, didgeridoo and drumming, and dance forms such as traditional, capoeira, hip hop and jazz have also been part of the workshop programs and the circus draws on all these elements.

At this recent performance, the Jetstar group was seated among families close to the front and the excitement was palpable. This is a community that is working together to encourage their youth and family support was clearly evident at the performance with elders, family, friends and others simply there on word-of-mouth, for a great night’s entertainment.

The talented children – many who have been performing with the circus for more than two years and some just new – flipped, jumped, hung, swung and climbed up ropes and through hoops, and performed complex dances – a blend of modern and traditional.

The performance was also notable for the striking costumes and sets, which were designed and constructed in-house by the staff under the direction of Renee Taiatini, the program’s coordinator. In future, the children will be participating in the development of these elements as well and Taiatini hopes that parents will also become involved.

She’s also hopeful that the circus will have a home in the future: “We have long dreamed of having our own venue,” she says. “Through observation we’ve identified that the children would receive many more benefits from having a dedicated space capable of hosting a variety of activities. We’re currently conducting a feasibility study of the program and the possibilities.”

The children involved have all expressed hope for a self-sustaining circus school and certainly there are plenty of talented and enthusiastic participants. In December this year, the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne is hosting a 12-day training program for all indigenous youth and the Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus is hoping to send several of their troupe for training.

Kirby Maidens, a Jetstar cabin manager from Brisbane, was particularly impressed by the raw talent of the older boys, “One of the boys, Jordan, has the most amazing acrobatic skills. I was really impressed. In fact, the level of professionalism shown by everyone during the performance was brilliant. It was thoroughly entertaining.”

By all accounts it was a night to remember. It was special for the children – for some of them this was their first performance in front of an audience – but it was also a particularly wonderful experience for all of the Jetstar representatives.

As well as collecting donations from passengers, Jetstar staff are involved in many in-house fundraising initiatives and it has been a wonderful opportunity for staff to see first-hand how everyone’s efforts are helping children through StarKids.

Jetstar would like to thank our many dedicated staff members, World Vision Australia and especially you, our passengers, who so generously donate to StarKids.

About Starkids

Tim Costello, CEO World Vision How did StarKids come about? StarKids is a humanitarian partnership between World Vision Australia and Jetstar. The partnership supports community-based development projects in Australia and across Asia and aims to improve the lives of families living in poverty. It’s about giving children a brighter future.

What does StarKids aim to achieve?
StarKids aims to raise AU$3 million in three years. The support given to World Vision through StarKids will go towards transforming the lives of vulnerable children.

How can Jetstar passengers help?
Your donations would be most welcome! Please place your small change (all currencies) in the StarKids envelope located in your seat pocket. The money collected from Jetstar passengers will be given to World Vision Australia for community development projects in Australia and Asia. You can also donate online at www.jetstar.com/starkids

Where can I get more information about World Vision projects?
Visit www.worldvision.com.au or www.jetstar.com/starkids for more information.