Creative programs that transform lives
Creativity Australia News
Accolades flood in for Aussie singing social entrepreneur! Tania de Jong AM
September 11, 2018In a hat-trick of a week, Tania de Jong AM has this week walked away with three prestigious accolades, being named one of the Top 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review; number 33 of the Top 100 Most Influential Australian Entrepreneurs by Richtopia; and a finalist for Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Third Sector Awards.
This week’s announcements come on top of Tania’s already impressive list of accolades and awards, including being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
(2008); being inducted into the AGSE Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame at Swinburne University (2010); receiving a Churchill Fellowship (1996); and being named Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young (2006).
Tania said she was humbled by the announcements. “It’s been quite a week! I’m really honoured to have received this recognition, and to be alongside so many inspiring Australian women and social entrepreneurs who are being called out and celebrated for their vision, energy and impact,” she said.
“The news has definitely put a spring in my step and given me a renewed conviction of the importance of the work we’re doing to infuse a greater spirit of creativity, innovation and connection through the business world, the social sector and indeed all of society,” said Tania.
Tania is a speaker, singer, business woman, creative innovation catalyst and social entrepreneur. Over the years she has founded two charities, Creativity Australia and the With One Voice program and The Song Room, and a number of businesses, including Creative Universe, leading innovation conference Creative Innovation Global, Dimension5 co-working space, Inspiring Minds leadership programs, MTA Entertainment & Events and acclaimed singing group Pot-Pourri.
Alongside her work with her businesses and charity organisations, Tania does a large amount of public speaking, MC-ing, singing and performing and leadership development work. “There is such a shortage of great women speakers, let alone those who sing, and I’m set on being part of changing that!” she said.
Whether keynote speaking, singing and leading a leadership workshop, Tania works with businesses, government, schools and organisations to unleash greater creativity, unlock innovation capabilities, build ‘can do’ communities, help teams to prepare for rapid change and disruption, develop resilience and agility, and develop a more inclusive and diverse culture.
Ends….
For interview opportunities, please contact liana@creativeuniverse.com.au or phone 8679 6000.
www.taniadejong.com
@Taniadejong
WOV Sydney & Chatswood at Parliament House NSW
August 28, 2018SYDNEY AND CHATSWOOD CHOIR’S STELLER PERFORMANCE AT NSW ADR AWARDS GALA DINNER
On the evening of Friday 10th of August the choirs from Sydney and Chatswood came to together at the NSW Parliament House’ to perform a four song repertoire in the Strangers’ Function Room for guests the annual Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) awards gala dinner.
The Australian ADR Awards recognise both individual and team excellence in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The critical feature of the ADR is that it marks out alternative dispute resolving mechanisms from regular court systems. Of note was the involvement of Sir Laurence Street who opted to use his knowledge of the law, his connections and his authority to help the early years of ADR development.
The Sydney choir under the leadership ship Robert Teicher and the Chatswood choir under the leader ship of Liz Lecoanet worked their choirs individually perfecting the performance in the lead up weeks to the event. Both choirs came together on the Tuesday before for a final combined practice run at the Sydney’s Choirs residence in Pitt street Sydney.
On the Friday, around 60 members from both choirs gathered in the green room at Parliament house for a warm up, some light refreshments, and to shake off the nerves.
At 7pm we took out place on the stage and once the dinner guests were we seated, with Robert on piano and Liz conducting, we opened with a magnificent solo operatic performance by Christine Varricchio singing the first two lead in verses of the traditional New Zealand love song ‘Pokarekare Ana’ with the full choir joining Christine from verse 3 onwards. The audience were stunned at the talent of Christina!
Our next number was a Bobby Darin classic the ‘Simple Song of Freedom’ and while it is fair to say we performed a fantastic rendition, it was our ‘freedom’ chant at the end of the number that lifted the roof.
Our third performance was ‘This Is Me’ from the recently released movie musical ‘The Greatest Showman’. We had all worked particularly hard on this during our Tuesday night practice secessions and with tricky timings to master we were still perfecting up until the last minute in the green room. The saying “it’ll be alright on the night” certainly came true here. Pitch, notes, and tempo were spot on and we were entitled to a little self-congratulations on how well be belted this out.
At the end of ‘This Is Me’ we went straight into a fun and livery rendition of the Monkeys classic ‘Cheer up sleepy Jean’ and without too much encouragement had the dinner guest clapping and singing along. We left the stage with big smiles and a rapturous applause from our audience.
Robert stayed through the evening to play some dinner music and reported back at the following Tuesday practice that he had receive great praise on our performance from many of the esteemed guests. We had great fun and are looking forward to a chance to sing again at a public event with one voice!
Brian Wardrop
WOBV 10th Anniversary Concert 2018 Flyer
August 27, 2018If you’d like to help us spread the word about our concert, feel free to download our poster and send to all your colleagues, friends and family.
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic event so don’t miss out and book your tickets soon! Download it here:
Our With One BIG Voice, 10th Anniversary Concert Announced
August 15, 2018We’re turning 10 this year and what’s an anniversary without a HUGE celebration?
The concert will be called ‘With One BIG Voice‘ and will feature our combined choirs from all around Australia.
Details for your diary:
Sunday 2nd December 2018, 3pm – 5:30pm at the iconic Melbourne Town Hall!
Tickets are available online: https://events.humanitix.com.au/wobv
$25 General Admission, $15 Concession. (plus booking fee)
Don’t delay. Purchase your tickets now!
Please stay tuned for more exciting announcements soon.
Round SEVEN of the With One Voice Start-up grant applications is now open
July 10, 2018With One Voice Start-up Grants on offer – up to $10K available!
Current Round Applications close 31st August, 2018
The With One Voice choirs are about strengthening communities and inspiring individuals to find their voice. We believe empowered individuals and supportive communities are better placed to solve society’s big challenges including cross-cultural integration, unemployment, mental illness, productivity, skills shortages, loneliness and isolation, family fragmentation, homelessness and more. Creativity Australia is offering a limited number of seed funding grants to make it easier for communities to start their own choir.
“It’s not hard to be part of the solution to the loneliness epidemic,” says Creativity Australia Founder, Tania de Jong AM, “it’s just about finding ways to bring the community together to support one another.”
It is an opportunity to create connections and friendships between diverse people in our community. It is about reaching out to those who are experiencing disadvantage and encouraging the socially advantaged in our community to engage with, learn from and help these people. Learn more about the members we have helped here – member stories.
Round four of the With One Voice Start Up fund is now open to local community groups, not-for-profits and businesses to tackle loneliness, isolation and disadvantage in their community. Successful applicants join a 12-month intensive mentoring program to guide them through the process of building their own With One Voice choir and a $10k Start-up Grant.
Founder & CEO of Centre for Hope, Geraldine Moran, the first successful applicant from Round One, says “With One Voice perfectly encapsulates the unity we want to create for our community. Mentoring is such a powerful tool, and through the With One Voice mentoring program we are learning quickly, safely and in a supported manner.”
For more information and to apply for a place in the With One Voice Start-up project, visit www.creativityaustralia.org.au/start.
General Competition Terms and Conditions and Entry Rules
July 5, 2018Creativity Australia
General Competition Terms and Conditions and Entry Rules
Mamma Mia 2 Double Pass Competition Special Rules.
a) Prize only includes two passes to see the Mamma Mia 2 movie at a local cinema.
b) Prize does not include transport to and from venue, meals or snacks.
c) It is the responsibility of the entrant to check the classification of the movie is suitable.
All further rules apply as our standard competition rules stated below.
These General Competition Entry Rules apply to all of Creativity Australia’s competitions. They may be amended or varied from time to time by Creativity Australia. Special Competition Rules may apply to particular competitions, in which case an addendum to these rules will be made for that competition.
1. Who May Enter
The competition is not open to:
(a) a person who is an employee, officer, servant, volunteer or contractor of Creativity Australia or its related bodies corporate or associates or any of its agencies involved with this competition;
(b) the spouse, de facto spouse, parent, natural or adopted child, and sibling (whether natural or adopted by a parent), of a person referred to in paragraph (a) above;
(c) a person who has used or attempted to use any more than one name in order to qualify to win any contest run by Creativity Australia;
(d) a person who refuses to comply with or breaches any terms of these General Competition Entry Rules. All contestants acknowledge that Creativity Australia can rely on this clause at any time, even if Creativity Australia only learns of a person’s ineligibility after Creativity Australia has nominated the person as the winner or awarded the prize. Return of the prize or payment of its value to Creativity Australia can be required by Creativity Australia if this occurs.
2. Prizes
Notwithstanding anything else in these Rules, Creativity Australia has absolute discretion in awarding prizes in a competition.
In order to claim a prize in a competition, the winner must:
(a) be eligible to enter under these General Competition Entry Rules and any Special Competition Rules;
(b) be announced by Creativity Australia as the winner of that prize by means determined by Creativity Australia;
(c) not be prohibited by any rule of law from using or otherwise enjoying the prize for which he or she has been announced as the winner;
(d) demonstrate to Creativity Australia’s satisfaction that he or she is the winner of the prize, and if necessary prove that he or she is not prohibited from using or otherwise enjoying the prize (for example, by producing photo-identification, such as a driver’s licence or passport, or signing a declaration to that effect); and
(e) comply with any request made by Creativity Australia under the General Competition Entry Rules or any Special Competition Rules that apply to that competition; and
(f) only one (1) qualifier or winner per family per competition unless otherwise stipulated.
Where the winner of a prize is below the lawful age to use or otherwise enjoy the relevant prize, LightMelbourne may, in its absolute discretion, award the prize to the winner’s lawful parent or guardian or require the parent or guardian to sign an indemnity and consent for the winner to receive or participate in the prize.
Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification.
Should a prize winner choose not to accept the prize allocated by Creativity Australia, the prize will not be substituted with another prize.
All prize items are valued inclusive of GST and Creativity Australia takes no responsibility for any variation in item values. Any taxes which may be payable as a consequence of a winner receiving the prize are the sole responsibility of that winner.
Prizes are non-transferable and may not be redeemed for cash. If the specified prize becomes unavailable, Creativity Australia may substitute a prize of like or equal value.
No prohibited prizes will be awarded.
Winners will be notified by mail, telephone, email or by any other contact details provided by the winner..
If prizes are sent by post, they are generally sent via Australia Post or private courier.
Any loss of prizes by a courier company or Australia Post is not the responsibility of Creativity Australia. In that event, Creativity Australia may or may not, in its discretion, replace the prize.
Upon request by Creativity Australia a copy of the General Competition Entry Rules and/or a signed receipt and acknowledgment must be signed and endorsed by any winner to indicate his/her understanding and acceptance of these terms. All unclaimed prizes after ninety days (90) days of being won will be forfeited, and a redraw may take place, all at Creativity Australia’s discretion.
In the event a winner chooses not to accept a prize, they forfeit any and all claims to the prize which can then be awarded to a competition runner up at the time at the discretion of Creativity Australia.
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3. Exclusion of Liability
Creativity Australia takes no responsibility for the loss of prizes due to incorrect or imprecise delivery details provided by an entrant. Creativity Australia makes no representations or warranties as to the quality/suitability/merchantability of any of the goods/services offered as prizes.
Creativity Australia shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered or sustained (including but not limited to consequential loss), including for personal injury or property damage suffered or sustained, as a result of accepting any prize or participation in any competition or prize, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
A person who enters a competition releases from and indemnifies Creativity Australia from and against all liability, cost, loss or expense arising out of acceptance of any prize or participation in any competition including (but not limited to) personal injury and damage to property and whether direct, indirect, consequential, foreseeable, due to some negligent act or omission, or otherwise.
A winner (or his or her parent or guardian as appropriate) may be required to sign and return any liability release and provided by Creativity Australia and/or its contractors as a condition of the prize being awarded. Failure to return the signed releases and indemnities will result in the entitlement to the prize being forfeited and a selection of another winner.
4. Disqualification
Creativity Australia assumes no responsibility for any error, defect, delay, theft or unauthorised access to or alternation of entries. Subject to any written directions given under the applicable law, if for any reason, the competition is not capable of operating as planned, including infection by computer viruses, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud or any other causes beyond the control of Creativity Australia which corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the competition, then Creativity Australia reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this competition.
Creativity Australia reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual for:
(a) tampering with the entry process, including exceeding any limitation on the numbers of entries, or any other process as determined by Creativity Australia that in any way affects the fairness of the promotion;
(b) tampering with the operation of the competition or web site;
(c) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner; or
(d) if an entrant selected as winner is found to be in breach of any term of these General Competition Entry Rules, a new winner may be selected and, in the event that the entrant in breach has been awarded a prize, the entrant may be required to return the prize or reimburse the value of the prize to Creativity Australia.
5. Participation
Participation in the competition constitutes the entrant’s unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these General Competition Entry Rules and any Special Competition Rules in relation to a particular competition. These Rules may change from time to time including by extending the time for, varying or terminating any competition.
The Entrant is responsible for insuring his or her familiarity with the General Competition Entry Rules and any Special Competition Rules at the time of participation. Creativity Australia’s decision not to enforce a specific restriction does not constitute a waiver of that restriction or of the General Competition Entry Rules or Special Competition Rules. Creativity Australia may enforce these Rules in its absolute discretion.
Where Creativity Australia has Special Competition Rules in relation to a particular contest, then they will prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with these General Competition Entry Rules or Special Competition Rules. Creativity Australia may enforce these Rules in its absolute discretion.
The General Competition Entry Rules and any Special Competition Rules are to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria. Creativity Australia may terminate any contest at any time at its absolute discretion. In the event of such termination, Creativity Australia may at its absolute discretion elect not to award any prize in respect of the terminated contest.
6. Ownership of Entries
Competition entries and material submitted in connection with any competition (whether written, audio, electronic or visual form, or a combination of those) or any photographs, video and/or film footage and/or audio recording taken of competitors are assigned to Creativity Australia upon submission and become the property of Creativity Australia which may use the material in any medium in any reasonable manner it sees fit. Copyright in any such material remains the sole property of Creativity Australia.
All such entries and material remain the property of Creativity Australia (subject to the limits contained in the Privacy Statement). Each entrant warrants that he or she owns the copyright and any other intellectual property rights in any such material submitted in connection with any competition and has full power and authority to agree to and grant the above assignment, consents and other rights to Creativity Australia.
All contestants acknowledge, as a condition of entry, that Creativity Australia has the right to publicise his/her name, or all matters incidental herein.
7. Privacy and Publicity
A who person enters a competition may be required to submit personal or confidential information about himself or herself (including without limitation his or her name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, marital status, occupation, spending preferences or any other such information) (“Personal Information”) to Creativity Australia. Creativity Australia will treat any Personal Information obtained from a person who enters a competition in accordance with the Creativity Australia Privacy Policy.
Creativity Australia may:
(a) refuse to accept an entry which does not contain all or any other of the Personal Information requested by Creativity Australia; or
(b) record and use the Personal Information for its own marketing, planning, product development, promotional, broadcasting and research purposes, including but not limited to using the winner’s name and suburb of residence for advertising and promotional purposes
Come join us now! The new season has begun.
February 9, 2018
All With One Voice choirs have begun meeting for the 2018 Season. Everyone is invited, and there’s no audition necessary. If you think you’d like to join, but are still unsure, why not just visit the choir nearest you and check it out? You’ll meet people, participate in a rehearsal led by one of our fantastically talented conductors, and enjoy supper and conversation with other members.
We know you’ll love it, and we’ll love meeting you!
All the information you need to join or visit for the first time is here.
With One Voice conductor, Anthony Barnhill, receives major award!
February 9, 2018
The prestigious Rob Guest Endowment Musician Award was won by Anthony Barnhill. Funded by the Capitol Theatre and the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Anthony took home a $10,000 cash prize intended to help fund the tuition and experience needed to help him become a leader in his field.
On behalf of Creativity Australia & With One Voice we congratulate Anthony on this amazing achievement and appreciate how lucky we are to have him as part of the family!
Read the full announcement here.
Conductor Development Program – Singing for Inclusion
February 15, 2017
APPLY FOR $2500 SCHOLARSHIP
More than 60% of people in our communities have felt lonely and disconnected at some time. For people experiencing disadvantage, this number is even higher. The financial, social and individual costs to our communities are growing every day, but solutions that are genuinely inclusive and accessible are limited.
Singing for Inclusion is a training course designed in partnership with Creativity Australia and Community Music Victoria to support community choirs and the With One Voice social inclusion program leaders to make a difference.
“In a world that is increasingly disconnected, community singing is an incredible way to connect people, create opportunities and improve wellbeing” says Creativity Australia founder Tania de Jong AM.
“Unfortunately, true inclusivity is hard to achieve, even for the most well-meaning and committed singing leader” says Community Music Victoria Chair Jane Coker.
Social inclusion singing groups require leaders that combine the skills of social worker, community development, teacher and conductor. This is a rare combination of skills that very few people possess.
The Sing for Inclusion training course will provide critical skills for musical leaders already working in this space, and develop new leaders so more communities can benefit from the inclusive power of singing.
To make the training accessible to community singing leaders, who are often volunteers or run programs in their spare time, 25 scholarships are being awarded. This has been made possible through the generous support of the Ian Potter Foundation and The RE Ross Trust.
Leaders can apply here or at Community Music Victoria (www.cmvic.org.au)
Download Application Form here.
Australia Day Parade 2017 Highlights
January 30, 2017It was a fantastic day for our members who headed out to the Melbourne CBD on Australia Day.
The sun was out, and smiles were on. See below some of the awesome snaps from the parade!
