The Croc Festival
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The Australian Croc Festival was developed by the Queensland Health Minister, Mike Horan, who in 1997 asked the producers of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge to find a way to get more indigenous students “engaged” in activities. The inaugural Croc Festival was opened by the Governor-General, Sir William Deane when 350 students from around Cape York and the Torres Strait met in Weipa (Far North Queensland) in July 1998. Sir William Deane observed in his opening speech that the Croc Festival was “reconciliation in action.”
In 2005 19,000 students from over 400 schools participated in one of eight Croc Festivals. In addition to performing under the stars the three day festivals provide the opportunity for rural and remote students to participate in many health, education, employment, sport, visual and performing activities during the day.
Teachers reported that participating students' self esteem had increased, they had improved tolerance of other students, bonding to their particular schools, awareness of the dangers associated with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, awareness of personal health issues such as nutrition, cleanliness, mental health and depression and understood the importance of teamwork. Teachers also reported that students’ school attendance had risen and literacy, numeracy and oratorical skills as well as their goal setting, problem solving and arts related skills had also improved.
