Woolloomooloo kids are hip hop naturals
A group of local Woolloomooloo children aged between four and ten years have been spending their
Saturday afternoons immersed in hip hop culture, with a series of workshops guest starring prominent
Australian hip hop artists.
Meeting every weekend at the Juanita Neilsen Centre in Woolloomooloo, the group, who have dubbed
themselves the Woollo Kids, have learnt to write their own rhymes, freestyle, and rap to a beat, and have
already recorded two original songs.
The workshops, which are run by CuzCo, focus on the five elements of hip hop – rapping, DJing, beat-
boxing, break dancing and graffiti art. Dance will be the focus of the coming weeks for the group, with a visit
this Saturday from special guest and renowned Australian hip hop dancer Nacho Pop, who has featured on
the TV program So You Think You Can Dance.
The workshops are being sponsored and facilitated by The Benevolent Society through its Woolloomooloo
Community Connector program, which aims to help disadvantaged families and kids to build their skills and
develop informal support networks.
The project is run in partnership with City of Sydney Council staff at the Juanita Neilsen Centre Children’s
Program, who help facilitate the workshops and provide the space where the workshops are held. The City
and The Benevolent Society are working closely together to build strong and positive relationships with the
local community.
Stella Despinidis-Kemp, program coordinator for The Benevolent Society’s Woolloomooloo Community
Connector, says she has already seen encouraging results from the hip hop program.
“Anywhere from 12 to 20 Woollo Kids have been turning up each week full of enthusiasm for the days
events, and it’s great to see some of the older children have taken on a mentoring role for the younger
ones.”
“As well as engaging them in a positive and creative community activity, the workshops are also helping
develop their literacy and movement skills which will improve self confidence,” said Ms Despinidis-Kemp.
Local hip hop artists Wire MC and Choo Choo have been impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and
talent.
“These kids are have learnt really quickly how to channel their creativity and express themselves through hip
hop; this genre of music is relevant and exciting to them,” said workshop leader, Cesar Bassi (aka Choo
Choo).
“Young people are comfortable in using hip hop music and culture to create narratives about their own lives
and express what’s going on in their world.”
After their final workshop, the children will perform their songs Swing To The Beat and All In This Together
to their friends and family, at a community Christmas barbeque on December 11.
The Woolloomooloo Community Connector program, which is funded by Families NSW and delivered by
The Benevolent Society, has been working with families in the area for over 18 months, running activities
such as the highly successful Mothers Day lunch, and a Circus Skills workshop for children. Projects
planned for the future include an early literacy project, where primary school students will visit a local
childcare centre to read to a group of toddlers, and expressive therapy workshops which will provide children
with the opportunity for self expression through art, music, dance and drama therapies.
For more information, contact Erin Schrieber, ph 0410 003 934
Media Release
14 November 2008
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The Benevolent Society
Established in 1813, The Benevolent Society is Australia’s first
charity. Nearly two centuries after
we first started helping the destitute and homeless in colonial Sydney, our 800 staff and 900
volunteers continue to support more around 16,000 children and adults each year in New South
Wales and in Queensland.
The Benevolent Society works with women, children, families, older people, people with a disability
and those who care for them, and people affected by adoption. We support vulnerable and
disadvantaged people across the lifespan to build on their strengths and lead happy and fulfilling
lives. We help to connect communities through support groups, volunteer visiting programs and
community projects.
Our vision is that every person is healthy, safe, connected and has a meaningful and productive
role in their community.
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