“Baden Powell College is a dual campus college situated in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. The Derrimut Heath campus is situated in Hoppers Crossing. The Tarneit campus, as the name suggests, is in Tarneit, the gateway to a huge burgeoning growth corridor. Across the college there are 1250 families. There are 64 different cultures represented from all parts of the globe. Nationalities come from far and wide such as Europe and Africa through to Asia and our Pacific Islander neighbours.
This cultural diversity enriches our school community widely. As part of our term four Performing Arts subject in the grade one and two area, students have been learning songs that connect with our environment and animals that live within it. I wanted to give our students, who as mentioned come from backgrounds far and wide, an opportunity to learn Australian songs that have great connection to our country.
Through the wonderful Magical Mountains Incursion preparation and the show, we were able to find this. The younger students in the audience engaged in the singing and actions and were able to take in great messages from the songs such as anti-bullying, making new friends, building a healthy self-esteem and encouraging respect and empathy for others, ecological sustainability, healthy eating, SunSmart awareness, cultural awareness and healthy active living, and the teenage students of the higher grades definitely enjoyed being the stars of the show, performing inside the mascot character suits, whilst also learning from the important messages contained within the songs.
Warren was fantastic to liaise with, keeping me well informed through the
booking process and he showed fabulous energy and a clear passion for working with children when delivering the shows. I would highly recommend this fabulous incursion as the students were engaged and learning at all times and are even now continuing to learn from the whole Magical Mountains experience.
It was also clear to see some of our students had never witnessed entertainment of this kind before and we all found the experience an extremely positive one from the outset. Keep up the great work Wozza and all the animals of the Magical Mountains!”
Kylie Galea
Visual and Performing Arts Teacher
Baden Powell College – Tarneit Campus
“Thank you to you all. Your show was definitely a highlight of our first family snow trip to Mt Buller. The girls have been listening ‘constantly’ to the CD ever since, thanks again”
Wattamurra Farm
“HeartKids would like to say thank you for attending our Christmas party which was held at the Melbourne Zoo on Saturday, 26th November 2011. Your assistance contributed to the success of our party which helped us provide a great day out for everyone.
We particularly thank you for sharing your talent as a performer. Our children loved watching you and your animal characters sing and dance and your entertainment helped enhance the party atmosphere. We really hope you will be happy to help us again next year.
Despite the weather, our families certainly had a most enjoyable time at our party. The children and parents enjoyed being involved in all the activities under the pavilion, including face painting, magic tricks, guitar music, singing and dancing, animal characters, caricature drawings, games,
cup cake icing and a visit to Santa. When the weather permitted, they also enjoyed seeing some of the zoo animals. Our next newsletter will feature some of the photos taken on the day and you may view more photos on our website www.heartkidsvic.org.au
It is always rewarding to see our families enjoying each other’s company in a relaxed environment away from all the normal pressures. These special outings give our families immense pleasure as spending time with their heart child and family is not taken for granted. The day also allowed our
families to network with each other which also helps families to support each other.
We thank you again for your contribution and we wish you and your team a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Lynette McCoullough
Support Events Co-ordinator
HeartKids Victoria
“Warren, thank you so much for bringing your lively and engaging show to our event. The kids were so excited; you could see that they loved every minute of it!”
Eli Newton
Cultural Development Officer – Arts Liaison
City of Boroondara – Arts and Culture
“Warren Smith and his larger than life size koala friend presented a 30 minute, interactive show at our school. The audience of 70 Prep and Pre-‐School children greatly enjoyed the performance. The children were engaged by all the Australian animals and keen to join in singing and dancing. They flew like cockatoos and jumped like kangaroos. Great music and exercise!
Warren was professional and entertaining and the show was particularly suitable for this young age group. The performance would complement Australian, animal or environmental themes as well as being lots of fun.
I have no hesitation in recommending ‘Wozza and his Magical Mountains Show’.”
Jenny Humberstone
P-2 Coordinator
Watsonia Heights Primary School
“It was a great performance, both adults and children enjoyed the show, and our staff loved helping out with all the animals!”
Sue Barnard
Team Leader, Children’s & Youth Services
Maribyrnong Library Service
“I’d just like to say a big “Thank You!” for bringing your show to our Moonee Ponds centre. The children can’t wait until you return from Mt.Buller and resume your weekly shows, and the comments from the parents suggest that they can’t wait either!
You have certainly taken our centre by storm with your fun, interactive and educational series of shows and the children have endeared themselves to each character so much, that they are still talking about the characters you featured before you left in June!
And ‘we’ all love the songs too! Every song so far has been of different genre, from country, to reggae, to rock n roll and even that very fast and excitable folk song about the Emu! They are all classics so far with all of us-‐ the children, the parents and the staff
We are certainly looking forward to meeting the next character and continuing the series right through and meeting all the Magical Mountains characters, as your songs and the stories that come with them are so captivating for everyone involved.
Thanks again and see you when the snow melts! 🙂 ”
Hayley Connolly
Centre Manager
Kinder Haven Moonee Ponds
“I am glad you enjoyed your time with us, because we sure enjoyed it too! It was certainly one of the most exciting events we’ve had for kids at Wyndham Vale branch. I could tell by just looking at the kids, they were so excited and captivated by your performance.
Many thanks also to Erin. She is a trooper, helping out with all the animals! I will definitely keep you in mind when planning future programs.”
Rebecca Stockman
Children’s and Youth Services Librarian
Wyndham City Libraries
“Great stuff again this winter season. The kids had a blast, and your shows at the ABOM were absolutely fantastic. To be honest the only reason we venture out after dark and go up the ABOM each season is to see you the animals and your show. We have been coming up for the past several years and have a big crew of about 8 families with kids from 3 months to 8 years and your show consistently offers the only viable after hours entertainment. The kids talk about it all the time and cant wait to get back next season. See you on the mountain again next winter.”
Jo and the Kids
“Can’t wait to see your show again. We took our daughter to Mt Buller and saw the show when she was nearly 3 and purchased your CD which we have been playing ever since. We are now coming back again to see the show on 1/8 with our daughter now 5 and son 2.5 years. Our son loves the CD and rocks out in the car every time we play it. Thanks for bringing so much joy to so many kids.”
Sandy Grosz
“I am writing to personally verify, on behalf of our company, that Warren Smith is employed by Buller Ski Lifts to primarily perform children’s entertainment shows within the Mt Buller Ski & Snowboard School twice weekly and to ski instruct.
Warren Smith is both entrepreneurial and professional. His children’s shows have added a new dimension to our guests experience at Mt Buller and I strongly advocate his shows and support his company; Woz Music Pty Ltd.
The “Magical Mountains” themed shows engage children of all ages and the guests’ responses are overwhelmingly favourable. There are underlying messages of the alpine environment which are cleverly weaved into his lyrics and these create a platform for alpine environmental education.
Furthermore, should Warren be successful in completing a second CD of this nature, Buller Ski Lifts would be supportive in commissioning further children’s shows in the Victorian High Country within the summer months.
For further references, verbal or written, please do not hesitate to contact me.”
Jacqueline Whitby
Marketing Manager
Buller Ski Lifts
2009