Exhibition was the start

The Throwing Stones exhibition held at Peninsula Theatre last month is expected to lead on to other projects.

Project coordinator Ms Virginia Walshaw said the first stage of the Throwing Stones project was a great success and received great support and commitment from individuals and groups within the community.

"Throwing Stones will ultimately be the creation of a theatrical presentation and production by young people for young people," Ms Walshaw said.

"The exhibition involved collecting stories, poems, photographs and artwork from victims of bullying, in order to give profile to the phenomenon of bullying by making apparent to the public at large and the bullies, the real implications of what they are doing.

"Advice was sought from principals, school counsellors, psychologists, Youth Mental Health Services and Regional Youth Support Services Inc in regard to identifying victims of bullying and for conducting interviews throughout the region.

"Local arts practitioners established creative workshops in order to assist students' express their attitude to the sensitive nature of bullying through painting and sculpting to ultimately be included in the exhibition."

Ms Walshaw said the project would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of Peninsula student Mr Bradley Death.

"Proposed, outlined and devised by a young person, 16-year-old Bradley Death, this project was one of the first to give victims of bullying a voice, allowing them to tell their stories, express artistically their experience, in public with a view to empowering them and inspiring others to proactively confront bullying," Ms Walshaw said.

"Though focused on the Peninsula community, the voices were local in origin but reflected national concerns and issues.

"By utilising and supporting young people throughout the process our hope is to ultimately create a theatrical piece for the community.

"The project truly speaks directly from the heart of young people's experience."

Press release, 10 Jul 2009 Virginia Walshaw, Regional Youth Support Services