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Western Chances | News And Events

Western Chances Siemens Science Experience – Tue 2 Dec – Thur 4 Dec, 2008

The Siemens Science Experience was three days of hands-on science in universities for Year 9 students, entering Year 10 in 2009.

Run in association with Victoria University for Western Chances, twelve schools sent a group of students and their teacher to the three day event. The 2008 theme was "Reach for Enlightenment". Here's just a taste of the activities:

* Screening of Digital Storytelling workshop at ACMI on 17 November, 2008

Western Chances hosted its annual screening of the digital stories produced by ten young people who attended the 2008 ACMI workshops.

Sir Rod Eddington speaks at 5th Western Chances BSN event – 30 October 2008

Sir Rod Eddington was the guest speaker at the Business Supporter Network (BSN) event on Thursday 30 October, held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.

Sir Rod Eddington's topic was "Transport and Melbourne's West". The event raised over $6,000 for Western Chances. Special thanks to our gold sponsor, Westpac.

Yarraville Club hosts fundraising fashion parade for Western Chances

The hundred year old Yarraville Club has undergone extensive renovations, with a week of "Grand Opening" celebrations in early October, 2008.

On Monday 6th October they staged a Mum's Monday Fashion Parade, with proceeds from the event being donated to Western Chances. More than $600 was raised for Western Chances.

Local retailers supported the event, held from 12pm-3pm. For more information on the Yarraville Club on 9689 6033.

* Julia Gillard speaks of role for business in supporting the West's youth

Western Chances awere honoured to have The HON Julia Gillard MP as the guest speaker at the Business Supporter Network (BSN) event on Thursday 21 August, 2008. Over 150 business people heard more about the Federal Government's vision for education - and the role for business in supporting the work of Western Chances.

KPMG were the generous sponsor for this event.

"Western Chances is an organization I can strongly endorse and I urge all of you to continue to support the great work it’s doing."

excerpt from Deputy Prime Minister's speech

Special thanks to all those who attended and to the gold sponsor, KPMG. The breakfast raised enough funds for three Western Chances Scholarships.

Read the full speech online here.

Calling Young Local Talent

9th October 2007

Western Chances, a scholarship program based exclusively in the the western suburbs, is calling for nominations of local young talent.

From 8th - 26th October, 2007, young people will have the opportunity to be nominated for an annual grant from Western Chances, enabling them to pursue career objectives and enhance their natural talents.

Terry Bracks, founding Chair of Western Chances, said this was a unique opportunity for members of the community to highlight the talent of young people and give them a hand up to pursue their individual educational and career goals.

Download the media release>>

Western Students Get a Chance to Tell Tales

22nd August 2007

On Tuesday 28 August, a special audience at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) was treated to a roller coaster ride of emotional tales.

10 western suburbs students and three teachers showcased their own autobiographical short films after spending two weeks refining their digital story telling techniques.

Incorporating joy, sadness, excitement and fear, the participants from Copperfield and Sunshine Secondary Colleges and Shire of Melton – Youth Program, screened short films created themselves about important aspects of their lives.

Download the media release>>

Local Business supports Western Chances

3rd August 2007

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade joined more than 60 local businesses at Maribyrnong City Council for the inaugural Western Chances Business Supporter Network breakfast event on Tuesday 7th August.

The popular coach also joined Terry Bracks, founding Chair of Western Chances, and Leesa Ward, a year 12 student and Western Chances scholarship recipient, as they speak to supporters...

Download the media release>>

Local Music Students
Fine-Tune Their Skills

25th May 2007

Local music students of advanced ability participated in Orchestra Victoria's mOVe! (Mentors of Orchestra Victoria Education) workshops on 29 and 30 May.

Proudly supported by Western Chances, 2007 marks the third year that mOVe! has been held in Melbourne's west.

Download the media release>>

Western Chances celebrates three years with a new initiative

26th April 2007

Western Chances launched the Western Chances Business Supporter Network, their newest initiative to support young people in the Western Suburbs, at their third anniversary celebrations on Wednesday 3rd May.

Scholarship recipients and supporters gathered at the Footscray Community Arts Centre for a showcase for a 'best in the west' with businesses interested in the western suburbs community being encouraged to participate in the Business Supporter Network program.

Download the media release>>

Young Western Leaders Summit

19 February 2007

Western Chances scholarship recipients from Western Suburbs Secondary Colleges and Tertiary organisations had a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in the 'Young Western Leaders Summit' on 2nd and 3rd March at Footscray Community Arts Centre.

Download the media release>>

Partnership Gives Students Science For Thought

5 December 2006

The Siemens Science Experience (TSSE) Day Camp held from 5th - 7th December has allowed students to learn about science through interactive workshops aimed at giving practical experience in university laboratories.

Terry Bracks, Chair of Western Chances, said TSSE was an exciting opportunity for students and has helped them gain a valuable insight into the fields of science and engineering.

Download the press release >>

Partnership Gives Students Science For Thought

18 October 2006

A four way partnership between Western Chances, Victoria University (VU), Siemens, and The Siemens Science Experience helped 100 Western Suburbs high school students get a taste for science.

The program, launched on Tuesday 24th October, allowed 10 schools from the local area to participate in a three day interactive science program at VU during December.

Download the press release >>

Primary Schools perform ‘Bunjil and the Birds’

25 September 2006

Primary school students from six schools throughout the Western Suburbs have spent their holidays working hard to present their musical talents to a wide audience.

A culmination of their hard work will be showcased at Footscray Arts Centre on Thursday 28th September in a lively performance entitled ‘Bunjil and the Birds’.

The performance is stage three of a joint project between Western Chances and another not-for-profit organisation, The Song Room.

Download the press release >>

Disagreements Among Students Reaches New High

14 September 2006

Disagreements among students at Bayside College Junior School have reached a new high over the past month…… although it’s all in the name of education.

25 year eight and nine students were chosen to take part in an extensive debating workshop hosted by not for profit organisation Free Debate.

Western Chances paired up Bayside College and Free Debate after hearing about Free Debate’s ability to provide training and resources free of charge to help students develop confidence in public speaking and communications – a crucial life skill.

Download the press release >>

Music Enters Classroom at Deer Park North

13 June 2006

Students at Deer Park North Primary School had the experience of a lifetime this term when music was added to their weekly curriculum.

This Thursday 15th June will mark the end of their 10 week workshops and the beginning of more intensive music classes for students who show talent in the musical area.

Following on from an interactive performance last month by The Song Room, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating music and arts programs in Australian schools and communities, the grade 3 and 4 students began the 10 week music workshop.

Download the press release >>

Western Chances Celebrate 2 Years of Achievements

18 May 2006

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Music on the Agenda for Primary Schools

27 April 2006

Music in west suburban schools will get a boost on May 9, 2006, when ten primary schools take part in an exciting performing arts program.

Western Chances, an organisation focused on assisting talented young people in the western suburbs have joined with The Song Room, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating music and arts programs in Australian schools and communities, to provide creative learning experiences. The aim is to enhance the musical experience in schools and develop the talent of young students.

Download the press release >>

Drop Out Success

19 April 2006

Read about a recent Western Chances success story.

Western Chances Partnership with Westpac

7 September 2005

Western Chances announces partnership agreement with Westpac Business Bank. Terry Bracks, Chair of Western Chances announced on 7 September 2005, a three year partnership agreement with Westpac Business Bank. The partnership with Westpac will create more opportunities for talented young people in the western suburbs and provide scholarships for education related expenses.

Download Western Chances Media Release >>

Western Stories: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

19 July 2005

Terry Bracks and Helen Worladge from Western Chances together with Helen Simondson from ACMI present ten young people with certificates for their participation in an opportunity of a lifetime.

Western Chances, together with Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Village Roadshow gave 10 young people, chosen from schools in the Western Suburbs, an opportunity to make a short film of their lives in their own style and language. These short films were presented at ACMI on Tuesday, 19 July 2005.

To find out more,

click here to download the Media Release or contact Western Chances on (03) 8345 1850.

View photographs from ACMI Program >>

First Anniversary Celebration

24 May 2005

On Tuesday 24 May 2005, Western Chances will celebrate it's first anniversary at the Western Bulldogs' Whitten Oval. Western Chances has achieved amazing success for an organisation only one-year-old and has greater ambitions for the coming years.

View photographs from First Anniversary Celebrations >>

Digital Storytelling with ACMI

19 May 2005

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Western Chances are offering the opportunity for 10 young people to participate in a Digital Storytelling project in June. This workshop will allow each Western Chances participant to tell his or her own autobiographical story through the medium of a Digital Storytelling. This is a very exciting opportunity and Western Chances is pleased to be able to offer this workshop in conjunction with ACMI. Visit the ACMI, Digital Storytelling website >>

mOVe Concert with Orchestra Victoria

19 May 2005

Orchestra Victoria will be conducting, in conjunction with Western Chances, a workshop for young musicians from Melbourne's West, culminating in a joint concert on June 1. This workshop will enable young people from Melbourne's West to work side-by-side Orchestra Victoria in a two day musical workshop where they will be exposed to the professionalism and dedication of some of Australia's finest musicians. Visit the Western Chances mOVe Concert event page >>

Recent Scholarship Recipients

01 Oct 2004

Western Chances has been established to support young people who have talent or exceptional ability that may not be realised because they and their family do not have the financial resources to support them in their endeavours, be it in terms of their formal education or the social and cultural, which contribute to the realisation of potential.

Our scholarship recipients are a group of highly talented young people who Western Chances believe need a 'helping hand' to realise their potential and achieve their goals.Click here to learn about recent scholarships >>