PZ

The Project Zone brings together Vince Lovecchio and Paul Stafford for the development and delivery of innovative collaborative projects utilising the power of story, technology and creativity. The Project Zone delivers enriched learning experiences in which people can explore, imagine and discover new things in meaningful and transformative ways. Project Zone’s historical-comedy schools film project, History Here, won the 2018 National Trust Award and their Bigger than Ben Hall project won the 2019 Museums and Galleries National Award. Project Zone also collaborates with First Nations communities and Elders across regional NSW including the Wiradyuri Elders in the STEM project, Wahluu Racing Team, which featured in Bathurst Artstate (2018). Other projects include: Diorama Project (2021-22), Wellovision - Wellington NSW (ongoing) Menindee Tracks and Art Trail initiative (Ongoing). 

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PAUL STAFFORD, an author and literacy consultant in primary and secondary schools throughout Australia, is one-half of Project Zone. He has seventeen titles, published by Random House and New Holland. Paul’s long-running literacy projects for reluctant boys The Dead Bones Society (a collaboration between Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum 2007-2017) won the 2010 IMAGinE Award and a 2007 NSW Local Government Cultural Award. It’s adaptation to web-based delivery, Scattered Bones, won the 2011 MAGNA (Museums and Galleries National Award), hosted by DART Connections to regional and remote schools. Paul works closely with Bathurst Wiradyuri Elders, including developing and co-anchoring the series Tea with Uncle Bill which linked Uncle Bill Allen to students in schools across NSW via videoconference, enabling students to ask questions and learn about Wiradyuri history, beliefs & lifestyle.

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VINCE LOVECCHIO holds a deep passion for community wellbeing and social capacity building. At 15 years of age, he was selected to represent Sydney for the UNESCO 1979 International Year of the Child. Vince has over thirty years of experience developing community partnerships and facilitating arts / health projects with the aim of empowering people to fulfil their potential and assist communities in building their capacity and resilience through connective, inclusive practice. Vince established Community Connect Regional NSW in 2014, a successful community capacity building and social wellbeing initiative. With an extensive network of partners across health, education, business and industry, Vince is able to develop community-based initiatives which help engage people in their communities in meaningful and purposeful ways. Vince was the founding director of the Orange Youth Arts Festival (2014 -19) and through the Project Zone has designed and implemented a number of successful whole community initiatives. He also has broad experience in visual based media having taught and worked extensively in Television, Photography and Film. Vince has won a variety of National and International awards for his work.