PROJECT ROCKIT was launched in 2006 by Rosie and Lucy Thomas, two Melbournian sisters who saw the opportunity to build youth leadership, citizenship and resilience by tackling the issue of bullying in school communities.
To put it simply: We want to build a space where imagination, leadership, creative expression and acceptance are available to all young people, regardless of social labels.
PROJECT ROCKIT has now worked with over 20,000 school students and presented at major Australian conferences such as the National Centre Against Bullying Conference (Melbourne and the National Positive Schools Conference (Perth).
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."
- Willy Wonka.
Lucy is a highly creative and innovative youth professional, whose imaginative take on life is at the core of her ability to connect with young people in a credible and meaningful way.
On finishing school, Lucy pioneered Family Life Agency's responsive anti-bullying program, Knock Out Violence, presenting interactive sessions to over 5,000 students. She has since designed extensive workshops, seminars and residential programs around issues such as bullying, leadership, anger management and drug and alcohol awareness for Family Life and other organizations including Lord Somers Camp and Powerhouse and Rotary International.
In 2010, Lucy made her International debut as a speaker at the U.S. National ‘Stop Girl Bullying’ Conference in Texas, during which she appeared on primetime CBS news. During the same year, Lucy was also named winner of Anthill Magazine’s “30 under 30,” an awards scheme set up to recognise 30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30 for their outstanding entrepreneurial endeavours.
As a Melbourne University graduate, Lucy has completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (honours) and Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Her artistic background, together with a solid professional grounding within the youth development and community sector, has given her the precious ability to creatively engage young people through a variety of learning styles.
NICKNAMES: Lock, Lala, Issy, Binki, Shirley, Minny. LIKES: Running (some days), heavy rain, playing the drums, Dumbledore, hot chips (with sauce), Mario Brothers, broccoli, dancing in pyjamas (embarra). DISLIKES: Running (other days), eating meat, purple, ‘love songs & dedications’ on MIX FM. PETS: My sister Rosie.
"The mind is like an umbrella, it functions best when open."
- Walter Gropius.
Rosie is a highly energetic and passionate facilitator, whose experiences in working with youth communities have bolstered her strong sense of compassion and understanding towards fellow young people. For the past 5 years, she has dedicated her professional life to helping the lives of young people. With her ‘infectious’ sense of humor and innate ability to empathize, Rosie can connect with just about anyone (for real).
Rosie was recently awarded the title of ‘Role Model of the Month’ by Girlfriend Magazine, in recognition of her commitment to empowering young women. In 2010, she was awarded first place in the Victorian Business Icon Awards, an intensive social entrepreneurship competition adjudicated by leading Australian business innovators. She also rocked out at the 2010 Cyber-Racism Summit in Sydney, wowing major corporates with her genuine understanding of youth online culture.
Rosie is also dynamic member of the Lord Somers Camp and Powerhouse community, contributing to core programs such as Very Special Kids Camp, Empowerme and Camp Diversity. In particular, as a past-coordinator of ‘MAX,’ the organization’s youth led leadership program, Rosie led a team of 15 young people to deliver a week-long residential seminar designed to MAXimise the potential of its young participants.
But it’s not just youth work that excites Rosie. Rosie is a talented singer and drama buff, jumping at any opportunity to perform! Her highlight performance was opening the Independent Primary School Heads of Victoria Association biennial concert with her musically talented sister, Lucy.
NICKNAMES: Ro, Rowie, Rosie Rockit, Beverley. LIKES: Riding my bike (her name is Angela Speedwell), backpacking around weird / wonderful places, palm trees, butterflies in my stomach, and stick-on tattoos that come with old school bubble gum!
DISLIKES: Getting stuck behind slow prams on the footpath, people who push in front, people who make others feel small, licorice, when people talk during a film, rainy days… PETS: Buddha. He’s my cat and he is actually the coolest person i know. And by person, I mean cat.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
- Dr. Seuss.
Adam is an experienced and passionate youth organiser and facilitator whose unique energy originates from him being born and bred in the Northern Territory. Since his senior years of high school, Adam has been involved in projects organised by and run for young people.
Relocating to Adelaide to start university in 2009, Adam stepped up his involvement with both the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) and the Oaktree Foundation. From Adelaide, Adam organised and facilitated UNYA's NT Roadtrip - a ten-day tour throughout the Territory full of consultations and workshops with young people in schools and different community groups alongside the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations. Adam piloted Oaktree's Generate program in SA in 2009; designing and facilitating weekly training sessions with the 30 participants throughout the year.
In 2010, Adam continued his role managing UNYA's Education Programs as part of their National Executive. Through Oaktree, Adam organised the SA MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Roadtrip: a weeklong journey from Adelaide to Canberra for 130 young people from both around SA and the NT as part of Oaktree's national campaign involving over 1000 young people.
Recently, Adam coordinated the Australian Youth-Led NGO Roundtable for UNYA. The Roundtable was a space for the leaders of Australia's youth-led organisations to build relationships and share ideas and was funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Adam's experience as both a participant and organiser of projects for young people has led him to value the importance of being real in all interactions. Adam has learnt it is both the design and facilitation of sessions that creates an environment where people can genuinely connect and learn from each other.
NICKNAMES: Ads, Pully, Morte, Scarface. LIKES: Aioli (it's a mayonnaise-type garlic sauce), free postcards, music, Spanish Sahara by Foals, good (and bad) TV shows, dreaming with friends, saganaki burgers from 1000 £ Bend Cafe, roadtrips and traveling, Paddlepop Cyclone icy-poles. DISLIKES: Non-recyclers, old undies, being sick. PETS: The late Juan Carlos (a cactus from Adelaide), the very agreeable Margaret, Chris.
