Chris Burke
Creative Director
Gracie Productions

Chris Burke is the Creator, Executive Producer and Director of the highly acclaimed Yarramundi Kids TV Series which is currently on NITV [National Indigenous Televsion]. Chris' work with children and families spans over 30 years and a number of different roles - teacher, counsellor, community educator, program manager, puppeteer, script writer and director.

Chris is a master puppeteer and Creative Director of the national award winning Jannawi Kids puppets* (1994 – 2005) and the strong, smart and deadly Yarramundi Kids puppets® launched in February 2006.

Entertainment

Chris’ ‘stand-up comedy’ puppet shows presents a poignant and humorous account of children’s experiences of family life. The shows have entertained hundreds of people at conferences, schools, community forums and seminars throughout Australia and overseas.

* The Jannawi Kids were highly commended for innovation in prevention of child abuse by the National Child Protection Council in 1999.

Resource Development

As Founding Director of Jannawi Family Centre (1990 - 2004), Chris pioneered the development of this unique child protection service in Sydney. Chris also wrote, directed and produced two national award winning family violence resource packages featuring the Jannawi Kids**:

CHANGE COULD COME - a community education and training package for adults about overcoming the effects of domestic violence, and
CREATING THE FUTURE – a resource kit for children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

** Change Could Come and Creating The Future received a Certificate of Recognition

- Australian Violence Prevention Awards presented by Australian Heads of Government 2001

Community Education and Training
Chris is a skilled community educator and trainer with a distinguished national and international profile. Past workshops include Northern Territory Jannawi Kids Tour (2002), Cape York Indigenous communities (QLD 2003), Western Australia (2004) Trinity College, Dublin (2005), South Australia (2005), New Zealand (2006), Tralee, Ireland (2006), West Melbourne (2006), Darwin & Alice Springs, NT (2007, 2008 & 2010), Canberra, ACT (2007), Killarney, Ireland (2008), Sunshine Coast, QLD (2008), East Melbourne, VIC (2008), Violence - Narrative Responses, Dulwich Centre, SA (2009), Dulwich Centre International Course, SA (2009).

Chris’ workshops incorporate the Yarramundi Kids puppets as dynamic story tellers. Their playful approach to serious problems entertains as well as educates workers to assist children and families affected by violence and abuse.

Workshop topics include:

• Overcoming the effects of domestic violence on children
• Child protection intervention in the context of domestic violence
• Puppets skills for working with children and families.
• When and how to use CREATING THE FUTURE and CHANGE COULD COME

My Very Own Puppet
You can have your own unique puppet character designed for you… age, gender, culture, hair and eye colour, personality - made by the same puppet makeras the Yarramundi Kids. Or you can go to Puppets for Sale and make a selection from the wide range of puppets in the Puppet Shop.

Chris is the Development Consultant behind a number of puppet projects: The Bay Mob Puppets - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; The Bidja Clan – Southern Lodden Mallee region of Victoria; Yalmambirra Mob – Wagga Wagga, NSW; The Open Door Network Puppet Programme - Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland; and the Angelic Kids - Play Therapist Edel Lawlor in County Kerry, Ireland.

Chris will support you to choose your characters and teach you how to bring your puppet to life and tell stories in ways that will entertain and educate your audiences. Book Chris to deliver a specialist Puppets COOL! workshop in your area.