By Nikita Almond

As a wise Madagascar lemur once said “We like to move it!” and the youth attending this months art2264 really proved it. With hip hop dance classes a familiar dance style, young people engaged in numbers not seen in previous art2264s. The Irish dance classes, led by Marieclaire de Whit-Beekmans and her assistant Jaye Monkley, pushed participants to try a style they may not have come across before.

The passionate Marieclaire de Whit-Beekmans started the ‘Irish Dance Academy – Voyage of Irish Dance’ to share both her love and knowledge of Irish dance with others. It has grown to encompass areas of both Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast. Marieclaire spoke highly of the fifteen participants in her art2264 class. “The kids energy was really good, they loved the skipping and the group dances.”

Marieclaire believes that anyone can give Irish dancing a go, regardless of age or skill level. “The fun of Irish dancing is clear, it’s not boring, it’s energetic and has a very big social aspect” she said.

Jaye Monkley who has been teaching with Marieclaire since 2009 saw the participants respond positively to the new activity, “Trying new and different things made them curious – it is good to be exposed to a different experience” Jaye said. Jaye believes the reason Irish dancing has such a positive social aspect, and is easily enjoyed by many, is because of the  “different personalities mixing together, and because you don’t have to be super skilled, it’s about fun”

As a resident of the area for ten years, Marieclaire can see how the Morisset PCYC facility is what the community has needed for a long time,  “I’m glad the PCYC is here” she said.

Another person who can see the PCYC’s positive impact is Lynette Bawl, as the current caterer for art2264 Lyn has seen how the facility is greatly impacting the community. “It’s been a pleasure to work with good people, on a great community project and I am very happy to be a part this fantastic idea.” Lyn has also noticed how her own daughter is making friends through the facility and engaging in new activities.

Lyn’s catering company ‘Busy Baking’is based out of Bonnells Bay. She said that she uses real food to get real taste, and that you can expect home made flavours and quality time put into her catering. Lyn prides herself on hand making not mass-producing her food items and not using any preservatives. When eggs are used they are always free range “You have to look after the chickens you know” Lyn jokes. And the biggest reason for the great tasting food? “The secret ingredient to all my food is a big pinch of love!” Lyn beams.

With the smell of paint lingering in the air, this month’s murals put the art into art2264. Manga and cartoon style paintings are decorated with bright graphic colours and patterned backgrounds, which results in bright, bold and brilliant paintings. While barefoot youths wearing aprons adorned with paint splashes fill in the larger spaces, their parents carefully paint the more meticulous areas. The collaboration allows the paintings to be finished to a high standard and gives everyone a chance to participate.

The paintings are themed to either show various hip-hop dancers or teddy bears doing different sports.  Some standouts include a painting with a boxing teddy and a weightlifting teddy, which seemed particularly popular with the younger kids. The other popular choice was of a hip-hop girl with a polka dot background, which seemed more appealing to teenagers and adults. There were many more paintings either near completion or getting ready to be started, all designed by local youth artist Lillian Webb. The paintings were framed and will hang on the high walls in the entrance corner in the PCYC facility.

Without the helpers the paintings could not have reached the level they did in such a short amount of time. 14-year-old Angel Seiver art assistant helped out by directing children to create wonderful results, mostly supervising 4 and 5 year-olds. “They work pretty well and cooperate well with each other” Angel said. She has seen how the youths are interacting and says how it has been a positive experience. “The mixture of ages is a good thing, and it’s been really good actually helping out” she said.

Meanwhile artist Margrete Erling directs the art projects, offering advice to the young painters “you have to be slow and do a good job with the painting.” Margrete wants the paintings to be finished to a high standard so that everyone can enjoy them once they are displayed in the PCYC. She said that it will create a lounge room type feel, which will bring even more comfort and community to the facility.

As well as primary and high school students and their families, art2264 has attracted some extremely young art enthusiasts. Two toddlers marvelled at the pebbles on the mosaic project, communicating to each other with delighted squeals, while others pull ceiling high nets away to form a larger play area. Everyone looks at home in the space, whether they have a ball or a paintbrush in hand. Another successful art2264 completed.

A circus theme again came to the art2264 arena with music fitting of a big top preparing participants for some outlandish fun.  Circus tricks and techniques were provided by the Blue Mountain’s Arcade Circus; the flamboyantly dressed Miss Tilly led participants through the various activities, including hoop work, juggling (which is a lot harder than it looks!) and dazzling circus skills. Children flocked to her, fun exuding from her head to toe pink clothing, with Afro and tutu to boot. 


“The kids were great, they loved spinning plates, hooping hoops, and just having some fun.” Miss Tilly said, adding, “Circus gives room for everyone, regardless of age or ability; anyone can give it a go and have some fun,”

The youth’s enjoyment of the circus activities were summed up by Miss Tilly: “The look of surprise and sheer delight on their faces when they realise they can spin a plate.”

Art activities featured at the entrance to the facility with twomosaics now finished and ready for installation on the PCYC amenity doors. The mosaics, and upcoming mural, were designed by 16-year-old local Lillian Webb. Lillian is looking forward to starting a new TAFE course and said that designing the various artworks for the PCYC facility have helped her understand the practical aspects of the art world, and has boosted her confidence. “It’s nice to be a bit less selfish. It gives me a great feeling and a better sense of what it is like to do art professionally”.

Another art project is the large Morisset PCYC sign, which is painted so well it looks like a printed banner. The painting has come along quickly with many grown-ups lending a hand to get it done.

A break was called as Lynette Ball of Busy Baking served home-style mini sausage rolls, and mini vegetarian rolls as well as tiny cupcakes – much to the delight of one young girl who shouted “Cakes!” before rushing to grab one. Once the food was demolished, everyone once again returned to their activities.

In the Drama workshop run by the resident theatre teacher Andrew McDonell, there was a smaller group than at previous art2264s, but this allowed for more participation between those playing, which this time included some older youths.

In a game designed to test concentration and agility, the youths were instructed to “Face each other and bow” as a sign of respect. Participants have a scarf hanging out the back of their clothing and the object of the game is to get the opponent’s scarf. This led to what looked like flamenco dancing as the youths moved in patterns to avoid losing their scarf but still trying to snatch the others. There were cries of “Shake your tail feather!” as they move around the space.

One girl shook her tail feather and lost the scarf before the game even began which resulted in fits of laughter from the group. “Make a fool of yourself, you’ll love it!” Andy says teasingly to two reluctant members of the group. Once he convinces them to play, he makes it a little more serious by getting them to wear black dress hats. “It’s very serious, no smiles.” Andy jokes.

The next game is about status. “In acting if you know whether you are high or low status you will know exactly what role to play” Andy said. Participants play out a scene, where person A is high status and person B is low status. For example in a principal’s office, the principle gets the high status and the student the lower.

Andy gives them guidance along the way but mostly allows them to do what they feel fits the role; this gives the youths a chance to expand on their improvisation skills. He then gives them a script to read, which at first gives way to giggles as everyone tries to act serious. However as they got the hang of it, the more serious they became and it was evident how far their acting skills had developed.

One of the main things that has resulted through the continued attendance of participants in art2264 is the sense of community and fun. Each month new friends are made and recently made ones are reconnected. Young people and their families are building their skills and trying things they normally wouldn’t get a chance to do. Miss Tilly summed it up by saying “The locals are really great and supportive!” The effect art2264 and the Morisset PCYC has had on the local community is clear for all to see, and it will only grow from here. Another successful afternoon of workshops will be held next month, from 4pm on Friday 17th February.

By Nikita Almond

art2264 took on a circus theme in December, with wild monkeys seen everywhere. Admittedly monkeys may just be a word to describe the playful mannerisms of the participants. With energy levels high, local youth learned the finer art of circus skills, including juggling, unicycles and twirling dazzling silver hoops.

After their faces were painted by fairygood (http://fairygood.com.au), the kids were ready to jump into the big top. Circus Avalon’s (http://circusavalon.com.au/index.html), John Campbell and his glamorous assistant Mia gave the kids a taste of circus performance, with young peoplelearning how to ride the devilish unicycle. The circus theme really went off with a bang; hopefully it will be featured again next month!

John Campbell aims to encourage “self-management”; he says he wants, when someone is watching his training groups, for them to not know who is the trainer. He aims to actively engage members of his workshops in a safe way, which gives them new skills or allows them to build on skills they may already have.

In addition to circus workshops, Andrew McDonell returned to teach drama and theatre. A more in depth workshop was featured this time, building on the skills already taught by Andrew in previous art2264 workshops.

Art again took pride of place at the entry to the facility with Margrete Earling engaging people with mural painting and an ongoing mosaic project.

“Over three sessions we have completed the two manga style sport characters to be permanently installed on walls outside the facility’s amenities” said Margrete Erling.

“They are both designed by a young artist, Lillian Web (16) from Dora Creek; she will also be designing some more upcoming murals for us.”

While the manga style mosaic will become permanent signage for the PCYC toilets, the new mural will eventually be installed on the front of the building. Although the mural was only started halfway through this art2264 event, already great progress has been made; you need to move in close to realise it is actually hand-painted.“They did an amazing job with some very dedicated mums helping out” noted Margrete, adding that the murals will help create a fun and positive atmosphere.

Margrete enthused about December’s high-energy atmosphere. “We had almost 50 kids here today!That is an outstanding amount of participation from the community.” she said.

The next art2264 will be on Friday 20th January and will again feature drama workshops, art and more fun activities. For more information, check out the blog: http://art2264morisset.blogspot.com

To the pleasure of many, art2264 hosted a series of art workshops at Morisset PCYC on the 18th of November; as the afternoon sun warmed the sky outside, spirits were high inside Morisset’s newest sporting venue.  Familiar faces could be seen, with families returning from the official October art2264launch, to enjoy all the facilities on offer at Morisset PCYC. 

A mosaic workshop was again led by Margrete Erling, and the young participants have made great progress, with many laying halved pebbles around the edges of two artworks, and helping fill in the central images with coloured tiles. The Manga style mosaic is designed by local teenager, Lillian Webb, and when finished the images of the boy and girl will be installed outside the PCYC bathrooms.

As the temperature climbed, the sound of basketballs bouncing resonated through the expansive facility, with beaming faces everywhere. Some chose to play their own games with the PCYC sports equipment, playing in teams or one-on-one.  Outside Issabella Berrigan, in her flowing clothes and bubbly personality, could be heard leading the participants in an African Drumming workshop. The sound of drums resonated through the space, merging with the rhythmic noise of basketballs bouncing and young people shooting hoops.

Inside well known actor Andrew McDonell conducted drama workshops for primary and secondary aged students.  Andrew is a graduate of NIDA and has appeared on popular television programs such as A Country Practice, Rescue Special Ops and All Saints. Alongside Lauren Wheatley, art2264’s resident hip hop dance instructor, Andrew led theatre games with a group of about thirty five children. Periodically giggles burst from the group as they practiced all sorts of theatre games and activities, which pushed them to use their imagination and to make new friends.

When the call came that pizza had been delivered, there was a mass stampede as children abandoned drama for fast food, flying towards the pizza like ravenous bees to honey. “Pizza, pizza, we all want pizza!” chanted one girl skipping towards the food. But it was not long before many returned to the activities with equal haste. Either scoffing down pizza, or making the hard decision between food and fun; some could be seen with pizza in one hand, mosaic tile in the other.

When Andrew called out that drama would be starting again, cheers could be heard as the children filtered back to the activities. In the second drama workshop, Andrew instructed the children in his booming voice to “look down, look down”. When he asked them to “look up”, whoever is looking at someone who is also looking at them is out of the game. With the instructors trying to trick the children into looking up too early, the exercise really tests the participants’ concentration. With Andrew’s rhythmic chants, and the laughter of the group when someone looks up too soon, the atmosphere is playful.

Lauren and Andrew work together with the children, changing activities from serious to playful, but always encouraging participants to express themselves. In another theatre game, Lauren yells “Shazam!” and the children must grab the nearest person and freeze as a pair. Then Lauren or Andrew called out an item, and between them the pair must find a way to make this shape. There is more laughter as pairs contort into a variety of shapes, trying to represent a toilet roll, giraffe, motorbike and once even a toothbrush. Like many drama activities, the game encourages children to make friends and work as a team.

In an update on the traditional game of charades, Andrew and Lauren asked participants to form a circle, and then one at a time walk into the centre. Once in the middle of the ring, they pretend they are in a doctor’s office, sporting venue or animal’s habitat. The children then act an injury, sporting activity or animal characteristic and the rest of the group must guess what they are. While some of the ailments portrayed were common, such as colds or broken bones, one theatrical child crawled military style into the centre pretending to nurse a gunshot wound! Andrew asked the children to create a backstory to the thing they chose to act, and so the participants’ imaginations ran wild.

Lauren led children in singing by asking them to repeat after her “I said a-boom-chika-boom”; the children were asked to repeat it back in different voices, such as a robot. Again the participants stood in a circle, using movements to match the voice they were using, chortles and laughter escaped from all.

art2264 will be back at Morisset PCYC from 4pm on Friday 16th December, all welcome! At 4pm Circus Avalon will present a circus skills workshop, for ages seven and up. There will be more drama workshops: Introduction to Acting through theatre games, for primary students at 5pm and Introduction to Acting through mask, for secondary students at 6pm. With the popularity of the drama workshops it is recommended that you email or phone to reserve a place: art2264morisset@gmail.com or ring Margrete Erling on 0412 324 228. For more information check out the art2264 blog: www.art2264morisset.blogspot.com.

By Nikita Almond

A ribbon cutting ceremony like no other: MP Greg Combet, Mayor Greg Piper and PCYC CEO Chris Gardener cut the many colourful ribbons covering a futsal goal to mark the official opening of Morisset PCYC. “We were looking at a few options to officially open the club, and we eventually decided on a bit more of a novel approach; art2264, our arts program, decorated it… ” said Andrew Best, club manager for Lake Macquarie and Morisset PCYC.

A speech by Rosi Okeno encapsulated the journey up until this point; she thanked all those involved, naming every member of the team, saying how without their support it would not have been possible to open the Morisset PCYC.

Mr Best emphasised how important particular people were in the journey leading up to the opening of the facility. “Council have been the huge supporters; both the State Member and Federal Members are here today and have supported us; finally John Mills, along with RosiOkeno, would be considered the great contributors to getting this off the ground” said Mr Best. Ms Okeno was again congratulated on her efforts in making a PCYC in Morisset possible. Anita Barker, Aboriginal Community Justice Group Coordinator, smiled as she noted Ms Okeno’s tenacity: “I applaud Rosi and her people for not giving up on this facility” she said.

The opening of the facility will allow the community to engage with one another and give people, especially youth, a place to enjoy themselves and make friends.

“The main benefit of Morisset PCYC is to get young people active in life” exclaimed Ms Okeno. “We need access, kids down here need something to do” agreed Ms Barker. Like Okeno, she expressed how much of an impact the PCYC facility will have on the community. “It will be really positive; it’s all about linking. We all work together in partnership for the benefit of the kids in the community” she said. “It’s not only about a place to go, it’s about activities. If we gets kids involved in sports it reduces their risk of harm and failing to attend school”. The PCYC will make that happen by running sport programmes, hosting the monthly art2264 art program, and providing positive youth activities, to develop their skills character and leadership.

The Rotary Club presented a cheque for $4000 to the Morisset PCYC, funding which will allow for new programmes and workshops to be run.

The turnout included over 100 members of the public who, after the official ribbon cutting ceremony, either participated in the art workshops or snacked on the delicious food donated by Brumby’s Bakery. “To be honest, I was a bit cynical of the numbers to expect; but I have quickly learnt that in a community like this, the community wants to engage,” noted a pleased Mr Best.

art2264 @ Morisset PCYC, the new free monthly youth arts program to be hosted by the PCYC, held three workshops at the opening including African Drumming, Mosaic mural and Hip-Hop dance. Led by artist MargreteErling the mosaic workshop was designed to allow any age to participate, and used tiles of various colours, with emphasis on the blue and red of the PCYC. Adults and children alike revelled in the activity allowing themselves to get messy and creative. The finished mosaic mural will be a boy and a girl, which will become the signs for the toilets in the facility.

Meanwhile, the infectious rhythms of African drumming resonated through the building. Wearing a long flowered dress, drum leader Issabella Berrigan taught participants how to ‘slap’ the drum. “Base, base, tone, tone, slap, slap”, Ms Berrigan instructed the group, then helped them build a rhythm using the elements they had learnt. Participants engaged with each other as they drummed in unison, encouraging each other to keep up with the ever increasing rhythm.

The increase in pace lead to lots of laughter and smiles from those trying to keep up, “It’s working on your coordination,” Ms Berrigan said with a grin as her hands fluttered across the drum’s surface. Drumming will feature in future art2264 workshops; as Ms Berrigan explained, “It’s really accessible, and it’s actually quite physical as well”.

As the afternoon sun beat down, and the temperature inside soared, Lauren Wheatley of Lift Dance Fitness led a hip-hop dance workshop. Children did a group dance following Ms Wheatley’s moves, to chart music, with some participants showing off their solo skills. When the noise of the drums temporarily overpowered their music, the group did ‘Zumba’ moves to the beat of the drums instead.

Everyone at the opening was wearing a smile, showing just how positive Morisset PCYC is for the community. The whole atmosphere was playful with all in attendance getting involved somehow.

art2264will continue to run workshops on the third Friday of the month from 4  to about 8pm with all events focussing on being creative. The next event, catering for both primary and high school aged children, will include hip-hop dance, African drumming and mosaic, will be on the 18th of November at the Morisset PCYC.

The Morisset Sustainable Neighbourhood Group have given unwavering support for the programme and for the benefits the whole centre will bring to the community. It will provide a positive place for youths to engage and enjoy their community as well as somewhere groups can be run to promote youths learning about and becoming sustainable. By giving the youths something to do it will eliminate the risk of vandalism and un-social behaviour in the community, which will in turn allow the area to be more sustainable and viable.

With the support of many people and groups in the Morisset and Lake Macquarie community the centre is sure to thrive, if the opening is anything to go by, there will be a constant elevated buzz and community spirit by the residents of the Lake Macquarie precinct.

Those attending who did not participate in the creative workshops, formed their own groups. People played basketball in a group laughing and enjoying the new facilities. Both MP Greg Combet and Mayor Greg Piper participated in a group of soccer with those at the opening, showing their enthusiasm for the new facility.

Help your hip pocket and the environment at the same time?

It is possible.

On Sunday 11 September 60 people gathered at ‘Yara Balba Studio’, Mandalong, to learn about “Sustainability in Action”.

An opening speech by Joy Edmonds, the president of Morisset Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (MSNG) started the  proceedings which were hosted by Margrete Erling and Pip Mason. The day focused on ways to become sustainable in the home, using their property as an example.

By using solar energy, the natural layout of their land and natural water collection, Margrete and Pip are able to save money and do their part for the environment. As Tony Voller (from the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority) explained, whatever you do on your property has a run-on effect to others, you can choose whether this is positive or negative. “Sustainability is the legacy we leave,” Mr Voller said.

Several guests spoke in a semi-formal gathering including the Mayor of Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC); Greg Piper who referred to himself as an environmentalist.  Mr Piper spoke passionately about areas he hopes to make sustainable.

After the formal proceedings, the guests were taken on a tour by Margrete and Pip around their once derelict property to highlight where they have become sustainable. The large group were intent on listening and finding out more through questions which Margrete and Pip readily answered, giving valuable information about sustainability.

Tony Voller finished the tour explaining how to identify and implement sustainability at home. Ways such as digging a small hole to find the quality of the soil, introducing dung beetles if there is manure, and mapping your land to find areas naturally collecting water which can source those that don’t.

“The land, the trees, the water are our natural resources,” Mr Voller said.

Brochures made available through Rachelle McConville, Sustainability Engagement Officer for LMCC, gave the participants valuable environmental information for the shire.

Joy Edmonds closed the formal proceedings by asking, “If you don’t have an environment, what’s the point in living?” a great way to sum up the importance of sustainability.

Other guests included, Melissa Cleary (representative for Greg Combet) and Rosi Okeno (Southlakes Chamber Community and Business Alliance).

“Sustainability In Action” was organised by MSNG.

By Nikita Almond

We are still finalising the details, but one of our members has offered to hold an open afternoon at her sustainable property in Mandalong.  The property has solar power, rainwater tank, chickens, vegetables gardens and fruit trees.   They have also done some fantastic bush regeneration, and soil improvement works to improve biodiversity and productivity.
We are planning an informal afternoon to tour the property and find out about how it works, and provide inspiration to try it yourself.  It will likely be on a weekend in September, but we'll finalise the date and details and let you know soon.
In the meantime, we'd love some help to get things organised. Give us a call on 4921 0117 if you'd like to help out.