Knox Rocks!
KNOX ROCKS! – Students Song-writing in the Suburbs
Knox Rocks! is a youth song-writing program that harnesses the power of music to build confidence, connection and hope in young people. Music makes memories, stirs emotion and brings people together – and Knox Rocks! gives local secondary students the tools to turn their own stories into songs.
Developed by the Rotary Club of Boronia, the six-week program teaches students from the Knox area how to craft original lyrics and shape them into complete songs. No musical background is needed – participants don’t have to play an instrument or sing. With the support of experienced tutors who provide the music for their words, students:
- develop a sense of mastery
- build self-confidence and resilience
- learn skills in self-expression and reflection
- work collaboratively
- give and receive positive, constructive feedback
At the end of the program, every participant has the opportunity to professionally record their song in a studio, creating a keepsake they can treasure for life. Thanks to full Rotary funding, there is no cost to students or their families.
Now in its fourth round following a successful pilot in 2022, Knox Rocks! continues to grow. The pilot, funded by a Rotary District grant, led to a Boronia Revitalisation Grant that enabled the purchase of six guitars and six keyboards for future sessions. The program has also been recognised through the Westfield Local Heroes awards, where its creator was a finalist. Prize money from that recognition helped fund the most recent program.
Knox Rocks! is headed by Rotarian Mark Smith, who has personally used song-writing to recover from trauma and understands its healing potential. After speaking with music therapists, psychologists and music teachers, Mark and the Rotary Club of Boronia designed the program to help young people meet today’s challenges through creativity and self-expression.
Mark has witnessed powerful transformations: students who arrive shy and withdrawn gradually open up through fun group activities and paired work. By the end of the six weeks, they are eager to share what they’ve created. Feedback from parents, carers and teachers includes comments such as:
- “This is the best thing that has happened to me all year.”
- “I have never seen him so interested in getting involved before.”
- “I’ve learned that it’s OK not to be perfect.”
- “I can’t believe he has turned up every week and been brave enough to record his song.”
After the first pilot program, participants attended a Rotary meeting where their songs were played publicly for the first time. Some students even spoke about their experience in front of an audience of around 60 people, sharing deeply personal and emotional stories through their music.
While Knox Rocks! began as a local youth initiative, its model is flexible and not limited to any particular demographic. The program can be adapted to support people recovering from trauma or navigating life’s challenges, by giving them a simple, structured way to explore self-expression and self-reflection. A number of medical professionals have already expressed interest in tailoring the program to their own environments so that more people can benefit from this creative process.
If you would like to contact Mark about Knox Rocks! or know someone who might like to be involved in a future program, please email:
contact@rotaryboronia.org.au
