Mary MacKillop Catholic College has received a State Award and is being considered for a National Award for their Wakakirri performance A Very Hungry Caterpillar – The Untold Version. Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with over 200 taking part in 2023. Participating schools are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ to create and perform story-dances that reflect students’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations.  

Wakakirri Festival Director Adam Loxley said, “The standard of performance and the stories being told by schools this year was exceptional and Mary MacKillop should be very proud of their award”. 

Mary MacKillop’s story is inspired by the story book A Very Hungry Caterpillar, yet in this version the audience also meets a group of scouts and forest fairies to add a bit of magic to the story!  Mary MacKillop’s performance A Very Hungry Caterpillar – The Untold Version was described by Wakakirri Ambassador Leah Clark as “A Beautiful interpretation of this iconic story”. 

Mary MacKillop’s performance coordinator Chloe Lauverjon said “Students have been working hard during rehearsals in preparation for this event since February of this year. We couldn’t have reached this standard without the help and support of staff and students across the College ranging from prop making to administration. For me it is such an honour to work with children and create a Story-Dance, the process is lots of fun! Such an amazing opportunity for our students”. 

The Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival is a national program sponsored by The Victorian Government, Reconciliation Australia, and the McCusker Charitable Foundation, that helps schools develop student engagement and wellbeing through participation in the performing arts. Schools participate by creating Story-Dances which they perform in live theatres in capital cities and selected regional areas around Australia.  

Mary MacKillop students will head back to Brisbane in September where the State Awards will be announced, and they will compete for their place at the Nationals.