On Friday 20 November Kelly Beneforti, an alumni of Casuarina Secondary College, gave the guest address to the 2015 graduating students at the Darwin Convention Centre

“Good evening distinguished guests, staff, parents and graduating students.

I would like to address my speech tonight particularly to these students. I have been trying to imagine what I would have said to the 17 year old me, sitting in your place 8 years ago. I hope that in some way my story and experiences of life beyond school resonate with you.

When faced with the daunting task of writing this speech, I asked my closest school friends to help out by describing some significant memories from Casuarina Senior College. Unfortunately, not much of what they gave me was 'speech- worthy', but it did remind me of one thing. CSC was and still is, a school that allows its students to be independent and creative in how they explore, experience and look for their place in the world.

This to me is what education should be about and I'm grateful to CSC and the teachers for providing the vibrant environment that I enjoyed. Our teachers become important guides in helping us understand what we value; what we want for ourselves and others; how we want to engage with the world; and how we want to shape our pathway into the future. You will continue to find teachers in your life well beyond this evening. And you too will become teachers, in your own unique ways.

My friends and I began exploring the world in our own way at CSC. My dance and choreographic career took off on dress up day 2007. I don't expect many of you to have seen the music video of Around the World by Daft Punk but we created our own piece of artistic genius in performing an enthusiastic version. However those of you who succumbed to heatstroke only a few weeks ago, would understand how much we suffered for art that day. Needless to say, you won't have seen us dressed as mummies, skeletons or robots for any occasion since. But our dance was a hit, and we won first prize in the group category. It was a personal triumph, although not one that I put on my CV.

It's been a challenging and complex journey from that point to here. I work as a community based arts practitioner, and as a professional dancer and choreographer for the award- winning Tracks Dance Company. This Northern Territory company has been nationally recognised on numerous occasions. My role at Tracks is multi-faceted. I work as a facilitator of dance classes, workshops and skill development; as a mentor for young and emerging dance artists; as a producer of community projects and performances; and as a teacher, performer, collaborator and choreographer. I'm also involved in grant writing, marketing, reporting and project planning.

I see that the arts are a powerful medium for exploring and affecting the quality of our lives and the communities we live in. I work with everyone from Primary school students to seniors. From young people living with disability to people in remote Aboriginal communities; with dancers from all over the world. My work is inter-generational, cross-cultural, collaborative and inclusive. I see that dance and other art forms build confidence and self-esteem, and harness commitment, rigour and self-discipline. Art develops creative, abstract and conceptual thinking. It provides tools for problem solving, self-expression, and exchange. I will forever advocate for the immense value of the arts as a way to open us up to new perspectives and the potential for our own growth and change. It has influenced my life in many profound and unforgettable ways.

I finished year 12 with a Tertiary Entrance Rank of 99.90. I feel I achieved this score through a balance of feet on the dance floor and eyes in textbooks. My final subjects included Maths Studies, English Studies, Physics, Italian and Dance; I had limitless options. People were surprised when I chose to be a dancer rather than a dentist, a performer rather than a pediatrician. Not many understand the creative and intellectual rewards of a life in art.

I left Darwin and studied at the Victorian College of the Arts. It was an important step for me to take, and I learnt from inspiring teachers and artists. However, it was a difficult and often lonely time. Despite forming many new friendships and creative relationships, it wasn't until I returned to Darwin that I felt I belonged to a community. One that is generous, genuine, interesting, diverse and inter-connected. Growing up in Darwin has been enriching and empowering. It has given me many significant experiences that a lot of people in Australia will never have or understand. I encourage you to take a little bit of Darwin with you wherever you go. Feel proud of how it may have shaped and influenced you.

The Northern Territory has become a place of opportunity and adventure for me. I've had the privilege of working with Tracks Dance Company and the people of Lajamanu to create a large scale performance project that celebrates contemporary and traditional life in the desert. I was on this year's Darwin Fringe Festival organising committee, which presented over 50 new and emerging art works. I've been involved in Darwin Festival productions since 2007. One of the most personally rewarding opportunities has been working with CSC dance students for many years now. To return to my senior school on the other side of the student- teacher relationship is a humbling experience. Teachers are enormously generous in what they offer to this world- so willingly giving over their time, energy and knowledge for the betterment of others.

Now I can include this speech on the growing list of new and challenging things that Darwin has presented me. I feel very honoured that I was invited to talk tonight. Sometimes I am still unsure of who I am and what I'm doing but it is at times like this that I am able to look back and recognise the distances that I have travelled. On this journey I am accumulating ideas, thoughts, images, stories, skills and experiences. If there is one piece of advice that I would give, it would be to stay open and curious as you undergo the next big changes in your life. It's not an easy landscape to navigate out there, but if you keep exploring and uncovering what's around you then it can lead you to truly astounding places; places that motivate and inspire you, confront and test you, and strengthen and move you.

Finally, I'd like to say congratulations to all of this year's graduating students, and to the teachers and parents who have provided support along the way. Enjoy this well- deserved evening of recognition and celebration.

Thank you.”