Gwenda Stanley
Gwenda Stanley is a dancer, educator and cultural ambassador. Gwenda is a proud Gomeroi woman and grew up in Topcamp Moree, North Western NSW. She is the proud mother of four adult children. From a young age Gwenda has been learning, practicing and ensuring the survival of the language, traditions, songs and dances of the Gomeroi people.
Gwenda is a strong and proactive voice in her community, working as an advocate to address many issues facing First Nations people.
Since 2006 Gwenda Stanley has been touring nationally with Young Australia Workshop. Gwenda shares her deep understanding and passion for her culture with over 10,000 preschool, primary and high school students each year.
The Performance
Drawing on her lived experiences and deep understanding of her Gomeroi culture and history, Gwenda Stanley’s performance is engaging and educational for pre-primary to middle high school students. Through song, dance, story, language and the demonstration of traditional tools and artefacts, Gwenda invites students to learn and engage with her living culture.
From demonstrating the tools used to hunt, gather and prepare meals, to performing traditional dances, to teaching words and songs in her traditional language, Gwenda enthusiastically shares her culture with students as well as giving a rare authentic insight into her life as a contemporary First Nations woman.
Providing a unique female perspective, Gwenda’s performance is a rich and valuable educational experience.
Client Feedback
“Gwenda’s delivery was engaging and the students responded enthusiastically”
“The kids were listening and responding… There were many connections with the Year 4 curriculum”
“It was interactive and the kids were completely involved from the start”
– Comments from Stage 1 & 2 Teachers, St Elizabeth’s school, Tarragindi QLD
