CentreStage is more than a theatre company. We are educators, mentors, producers and advocates working with hundreds of young people each year. This library brings together the policies, plans and procedures that keep every performer, student, volunteer and family safe, seen and supported.
Our values guide every policy: We Belong. We Create. We Listen. We Care.
Each policy in this library is reviewed at least annually, or sooner where legislation, guidance or our own practice changes. Questions and suggestions are welcomed at any time — write to david@centrestage.org.au.
Child safety is not a box to tick at CentreStage — it is a promise we uphold every day. We are educators, mentors, producers and advocates who work with hundreds of young people each year across our education programs, mainstage productions and talent agency. This plan sets out how we create and maintain environments in which children and young people are safe, and feel safe, at every point of contact with our organisation.
This plan applies to all staff, contractors, creatives, volunteers, board members, students and families. It is aligned with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, the Child Employment Act, the Worker Screening Act and the Children, Youth and Families Act, and with best-practice principles for working with young people in the performing arts. It sits alongside, and draws its values from, our We Are People Plan: We Belong, We Create, We Listen, We Care.
CentreStage has zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to acting in the best interests of children and to keeping them safe from harm. We regard the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a paramount responsibility shared by everyone connected to our work. We are equally committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the safety of children with disability, and the safety of LGBTQIA+ young people.
Child voice is central to how we work. We actively listen to children, take their views seriously, and involve them in decisions that affect them. Students are taught, in age-appropriate ways, what safe and respectful behaviour looks like, who they can talk to, and how to raise a concern. Families are given clear information about our expectations and about how to contact us.
Any person who believes a child is at immediate risk must call 000. All staff and volunteers are mandatory reporters within their roles and must report concerns to the Child Safety Officer without delay, who will act in accordance with legal obligations, including reporting to Victoria Police and child-protection authorities where required. Reports are handled promptly, fairly and confidentially, and no one who raises a genuine concern will be disadvantaged for doing so.
The Managing Director and Board hold ultimate accountability for child safety. A designated Child Safety Officer coordinates training, screening, risk assessment and response. Compliance is monitored through record audits, incident review and community feedback. This plan is reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident, and the current version is published for parents, carers, staff, students and community members to read.
The We Are People Plan is CentreStage's corporate social responsibility framework and the source of our organisational values. It draws on those values and introduces the cultural characteristics and indicators that anchor our people's everyday experiences and interactions. Its purpose is to ensure our company reflects a culture that is shared and proudly embraced by all people — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people alike — and to make sure our intentions translate into meaningful action and positive outcomes.
This plan applies across the whole organisation: our productions, our education academy, our talent agency and our administration. It is the plan from which our Child Safety Plan, Cultural Framework, health and wellbeing commitments and inclusion policies all take direction. Our culture must continually shift to match the desired behaviours of a high-performing, values-led workforce, and that requires strategies that build trust, transparency and accountability across all of our relationships.
Our CSR strategy translates these values into practical, measurable areas of action that build a stronger relationship with families and community and help us do better each day:
We are clever, creative and connected, and we hold ourselves to account for living these values rather than simply stating them. Progress is measured through surveys, benchmarks and community consultation, and feedback is collated and verified with our community partners before each updated version is released. As custodians of a shared cultural ecosystem, management also brings its partners and suppliers on this journey. This plan is reviewed annually.
CentreStage's first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal commitment to truth-telling, relationship-building and the creation of meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across every area of our organisation. We are based on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong, and our work is led in part by creatives with First Nations heritage from the Palawa people of Lutruwita (Tasmania). We have long recognised the role of theatre in celebrating culture, challenging injustice and giving voice to untold stories, and this plan embeds reconciliation into how we cast, educate, lead, perform and partner.
“Reconciliation is not a side project — it's centre stage,” says Managing Director David Greenwood OAM. “Every spotlight we turn on must illuminate not only talent, but truth. This plan challenges us to listen deeply, act humbly, and honour the stories that have been told on this Country for over 60,000 years.”
Over the life of this plan, our actions are organised under three pillars — Relationships, Respect and Opportunities — each with measurable deliverables and named owners.
Over time our community will see reconciliation reflected in Wadawurrung-named spaces and signage, commissioned Indigenous artworks, and performances aligned with significant cultural dates. Acknowledgement of Country is embedded into our productions, classes and events, and we work to ensure our physical and cultural environments are safe and welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For CentreStage, reconciliation is not only about representation — it is about responsibility. As one of the largest amateur musical theatre companies in the country and a significant contributor to Victoria's creative landscape, we believe we have a role in shifting how stories are shared, how stages are built and how futures are shaped. Our progress is monitored, publicly reported and shaped by feedback from our First Nations stakeholders, ensuring we are not just saying the right things but doing them, with community guidance and cultural authority. This plan is reviewed with our partners and renewed at the end of each cycle.
This Code of Conduct describes the behaviour CentreStage expects of every person connected to our organisation: staff, contractors, creatives, board members, volunteers, performers, students and the families who support them. It exists to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of everyone in our community and to uphold the professional reputation of CentreStage as a place where people are treated with respect and care.
The Code applies at all CentreStage activities — classes, rehearsals, performances, auditions, meetings, events, tours and online interactions — and to conduct outside those activities where it affects the safety of our community or the standing of the organisation. It should be read together with our Child Safety Plan, Anti-Bullying & Harassment Policy and Social Media & Communication Policy.
The following are never acceptable and may result in removal from a program or production and, where appropriate, referral to authorities: any form of abuse, bullying, harassment or discrimination; attending under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances; unsafe conduct on stage, backstage or in the pit; possession of weapons; developing an inappropriate relationship with a child; and using CentreStage platforms to promote personal businesses or products.
All staff and volunteers are role models and are held to the highest standard, particularly around young people. Parents and carers support the Code by reinforcing respectful behaviour and by raising concerns early. Directors and coordinators are responsible for setting the tone of their rooms and for addressing breaches consistently and fairly.
Suspected breaches should be reported to a coordinator or to the office. Concerns involving child safety are escalated immediately under the Child Safety Plan. Responses are proportionate to the breach and may range from a conversation to suspension or exclusion. This Code is reviewed annually and provided to every new member of the CentreStage community on induction.
This policy sets out the screening, supervision and training requirements that apply to everyone at CentreStage who works with, or may come into contact with, children and young people. Its purpose is to ensure that only suitable people work with children, that they are properly supervised and supported, and that our practices meet and exceed the requirements of Victorian law, including the Worker Screening Act and the Child Employment Act.
It applies to all staff, contractors, creatives, board members, volunteers and any other person engaged in CentreStage activities involving people under 18. It works hand in hand with our Child Safety Plan and Code of Conduct.
Everyone working with children completes Child Safety Mandatory Training via the Department of Education on induction, and refreshes it annually. Induction also covers this policy, the Code of Conduct, our reporting procedures and the specific expectations of the role. Staff and volunteers are supported with ongoing guidance and are encouraged to ask questions whenever they are unsure.
The Child Safety Officer maintains the register of checks and training and audits it regularly. Coordinators ensure supervision arrangements are in place for their activities. Any concern about a person's suitability to work with children is treated seriously, may result in immediate stand-down pending review, and is reported to authorities where required. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
CentreStage takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation of any kind. This policy exists to ensure that our classes, rehearsals, performances, workplaces and online spaces are psychologically safe for students, performers, staff, volunteers and families, and that anyone who experiences or witnesses unacceptable behaviour knows how to raise it and will be supported when they do.
It applies to everyone connected to CentreStage and to all CentreStage settings, including social media and messaging. It should be read together with our Code of Conduct, Child Safety Plan and Complaints & Grievance Procedure.
Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person or group that creates a risk to health, safety or wellbeing. Harassment is unwelcome conduct that offends, humiliates or intimidates, including on the basis of a protected attribute. Discrimination is treating a person unfavourably because of an attribute such as race, disability, age, sex, gender identity or sexuality. Victimisation is subjecting a person to detriment because they have raised, or supported, a complaint.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses bullying or harassment is encouraged to raise it with a teacher, director, coordinator or the office as soon as possible. Where it is safe and comfortable to do so, telling the person their behaviour is unwelcome can resolve matters early; but no one is ever required to do this, and concerns can be brought straight to staff. Concerns involving a child's safety are escalated immediately under the Child Safety Plan.
We assess each report, gather relevant information fairly, and act according to the seriousness of the behaviour. Responses may include facilitated conversations, formal warnings, additional supervision, suspension or exclusion, and referral to authorities where the law requires. We keep the people involved informed appropriately and check in afterwards.
All members of our community share responsibility for a respectful culture. Staff and volunteers must model it and act on concerns. Leaders are accountable for the climate of their rooms. This policy is reviewed annually and communicated to every new member on induction.
CentreStage is driven by a desire to provide access to the arts to as many people in our community as possible. This policy sets out how we make our stages, our classes and our workplace genuinely welcoming to all people, regardless of background, ability, age, cultural or linguistic heritage, faith, gender identity or sexuality. Inclusion is not an add-on for us: we are owned and managed by a person with disability and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and our team includes people who identify as First Nations and from a range of minority groups.
This policy applies to casting, recruitment, teaching, audience access and every interaction across the organisation. It gives effect to our We Are People Plan value that We Belong, and works with our LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, Disability Access and Cultural Framework policies.
Teachers, directors and staff create environments where every participant can take part fully. That means offering reasonable adjustments, using inclusive language, being flexible about how skills are demonstrated, and being alert to barriers — financial, physical, sensory or cultural — that might prevent someone from joining in. We do not pre-cast, and we design open-entry programs so that participation is not gated by prior experience or means.
Leadership sets the strategy and resources it; staff and volunteers put it into practice; and all members of our community are asked to help maintain a welcoming culture. Concerns about exclusion or discrimination are handled under our Complaints & Grievance Procedure.
We use surveys, benchmarks and community feedback to measure how inclusive we really are, and we report on and act on what we learn. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
CentreStage is proud to be a safe, affirming home for LGBTQIA+ artists, students, staff, volunteers and audiences. This policy makes explicit our commitment to celebrating LGBTQIA+ lives and to ensuring that everyone in our community can participate as their authentic selves, free from discrimination, exclusion or harm. That commitment is not theoretical: it is embedded in how we cast, teach, tell stories and run our organisation, and it is reflected in our leadership.
This policy applies to all CentreStage settings and all members of our community. It complements our Diversity & Inclusion Policy, Anti-Bullying & Harassment Policy and Child Safety Plan, and reflects our value that We Belong.
Our staff use inclusive language as standard and are supported with guidance and training. We are mindful that visibility and privacy are personal choices; we never “out” anyone, and we hold information about a person's identity in confidence. Productions that centre LGBTQIA+ stories — such as our staging of & Juliet — are approached with authenticity, community consultation and care for the performers involved.
All staff and volunteers are responsible for upholding an affirming environment, and leaders are accountable for it. Anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination can raise it with staff or through our Complaints & Grievance Procedure, and will be supported. Where a young person needs additional support, we connect families with appropriate services. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
CentreStage believes everyone has the potential to be a great performer, and access to the arts should not depend on ability or disability. This policy sets out how we make reasonable adjustments so that performers, students, volunteers, staff and audience members with disability can take part fully in what we do. As an organisation owned and managed by a person with disability, accessibility is part of our identity, not an afterthought.
It applies across our education programs, productions, agency and venues, and reflects our obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and Victorian equal-opportunity law. It should be read with our Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Child Safety Plan.
We work with each person to understand what they need to participate and succeed, and we put reasonable adjustments in place. Adjustments might include modified choreography, additional support in the room, adapted schedules, quiet spaces, or changes to how auditions are run. We keep this information confidential and use it only to support the individual.
We aim to make attending a CentreStage production welcoming for everyone, and we support community partners so that people with disability and people in aged care can attend. Patrons with access requirements are encouraged to contact us before booking so we can plan the best possible experience.
Coordinators arrange adjustments for their activities with support from the office; leadership ensures venues and programs are as accessible as practicable. Barriers or concerns can be raised at any time and are addressed under our Complaints & Grievance Procedure. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
CentreStage welcomes feedback and takes concerns seriously. This procedure provides clear, fair and accessible steps for raising and resolving complaints, so that issues are heard, understood and addressed quickly, and so that our community can have confidence in how we respond. Raising a concern helps us improve, and no one will be disadvantaged for doing so in good faith.
It applies to complaints from students, families, performers, volunteers, staff, audiences and community members about any aspect of our activities. Concerns that involve the safety of a child are dealt with immediately under the Child Safety Plan and are not delayed by this procedure.
We acknowledge complaints within two business days. We handle them impartially and confidentially, gathering relevant information and giving anyone the complaint is about a fair opportunity to respond. We aim to resolve most matters quickly and informally, and we keep the complainant informed of progress and outcome. Where a matter is complex, we will explain the likely timeframe.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can ask for the matter to be escalated to the Managing Director or the Board for review. You also retain the right to contact external bodies — such as the relevant Commission, regulator or, for child-safety matters, Victoria Police and child-protection authorities — at any time.
Complaints and their outcomes are recorded confidentially and used to identify patterns and improve our practice. Coordinators handle day-to-day concerns; the Managing Director oversees serious or escalated matters. This procedure is reviewed at least annually.
CentreStage collects and holds personal information about students, families, performers, members, staff, volunteers and audiences in order to run our programs, productions and agency. This policy explains what we collect, how we use and protect it, and the choices you have. It is designed to meet our obligations under the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles, and it reflects the trust our community places in us.
It applies to all personal information we handle, however it is collected — through enrolment, ticketing, auditions, employment, our website or our communication tools.
We collect only what we need, store it securely, and restrict access to those who require it for their role. We take reasonable steps to protect information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access, and we hold sensitive information — such as health and child-safety records — with particular care. We retain information only as long as necessary or as required by law, and then dispose of it securely.
We never sell personal information. We share it only where necessary to deliver our services (for example, with venues or licensing bodies), where you have consented, or where the law requires or permits — including sharing child-safety information with authorities to protect a child.
You can request access to the information we hold about you and ask us to correct it if it is wrong. Concerns about privacy can be raised with the office and, if unresolved, escalated under our Complaints & Grievance Procedure or to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Staff and volunteers are responsible for handling information in line with this policy, which is reviewed at least annually.
Photographs and recordings are a wonderful way to celebrate our performers and promote our work, but they must be captured and used with care and consent, especially where children are involved. This policy explains how CentreStage manages the taking, storage, use and sharing of images and recordings, and how consent is obtained and can be withdrawn.
It applies to all photography and recording at CentreStage classes, rehearsals, productions and events, whether by staff, official photographers, families or media. It supports our Child Safety Plan, Privacy Policy and Social Media Policy.
We do not publish identifying details — such as full names, schools or contact information — alongside images of children. Images are stored securely, used only for the purposes consented to, and retained no longer than necessary. We take particular care with images of children who may be in vulnerable circumstances, and we will not use an image where doing so could compromise a child's safety.
To protect the privacy and safety of all performers, and to respect licensing conditions, personal photography and recording during productions is managed and may be restricted. Where audience photography is permitted, we ask that images of other people's children are not shared publicly without their families' consent.
Coordinators ensure consents are collected and respected for their activities, and official photographers are briefed on this policy. Concerns about the use of an image can be raised with the office and will be acted on promptly. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
This plan sets out how CentreStage prepares for, and responds to, emergencies at the venues we use for classes, rehearsals and performances. Its purpose is to protect the safety of students, performers, staff, volunteers and audiences through clear procedures, defined responsibilities and regular practice. Being prepared means that if something goes wrong, our people know exactly what to do.
It applies to all CentreStage sites and activities, including off-site and touring activity, and is supported by our First Aid, Child Safety and Excursion policies.
In any emergency, the first priority is life safety: call 000 where there is immediate risk, then follow the site procedure. Wardens direct evacuation or shelter as appropriate, account for everyone at the assembly point — with particular attention to children and those needing assistance — and do not allow re-entry until the site is declared safe. Families are notified as soon as it is safe to do so.
We communicate clearly and calmly during an emergency and provide accurate information to families and authorities. After an incident we support those affected, arrange alternative arrangements for programs where needed, and manage any media contact centrally through the Managing Director.
Coordinators are responsible for knowing the emergency procedures for their venue and briefing participants. Drills are conducted periodically, and every emergency and drill is reviewed to improve the plan. This plan is reviewed at least annually and whenever we take on a new venue.
Performing and rehearsing are physical activities, and injuries and illness can happen. This policy ensures that trained first-aiders and appropriate equipment are available at CentreStage activities, and that there is a clear, calm response when someone is hurt or unwell. Prompt, competent first aid protects our community and reflects our duty of care.
It applies to all classes, rehearsals, performances and events, and works with our Emergency Management Plan, Anaphylaxis policy and Child Safety Plan.
A trained first-aider assesses the situation, provides appropriate care, and calls 000 where there is any doubt about the seriousness of an injury or medical event. For children, a parent or carer is contacted as soon as possible, and a staff member stays with the child throughout. We follow individual health and anaphylaxis plans, and we never move a seriously injured person unless they are in danger.
Every injury and significant illness is recorded on an incident form with the date, people involved and action taken. We review incidents to identify hazards and prevent recurrence, and we provide return-to-activity guidance so participants come back safely after an injury.
Coordinators ensure a first-aider and kit are present for their activities and that health information is to hand. The office maintains first-aid qualifications and kit supplies. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires an immediate response. This policy sets out how CentreStage keeps students, performers and staff with severe allergies safe across our classes, rehearsals and productions, and how our people are prepared to recognise and respond to a reaction. It reflects best-practice guidance for community and education settings.
It applies to all CentreStage activities and to everyone who supervises participants, and it works alongside our First Aid and Child Safety policies.
If anaphylaxis is suspected, staff act immediately: lay the person flat, administer the auto-injector without delay, call 000, and give a second dose if there is no improvement and another injector is available. A staff member stays with the person, notes the time of administration, and ensures the ambulance and family are informed. Every reaction is treated as an emergency, even if symptoms seem mild at first.
We complete an incident record, review what happened, replace any used auto-injector, and check that the individual's plan remains appropriate. We support the person and their family and any staff or students who witnessed the event.
Coordinators ensure plans and auto-injectors are present and that staff know who is at risk. The office maintains training currency. This policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever a participant's medical needs change.
Theatre involves working with staging, lighting, rigging, effects, height and sometimes darkness, and the safety of everyone on stage, backstage and in the orchestra pit is paramount. This policy sets out how CentreStage assesses and controls the risks of rehearsal and performance so that productions are exciting and safe in equal measure.
It applies to all productions and rehearsals and to cast, crew, musicians, creatives and volunteers. It is supported by our Costume, Set & Props Safety Policy, First Aid Policy and Emergency Management Plan.
Everyone involved in a production receives a safety briefing appropriate to their role before they begin. Stage management maintains order backstage and enforces safe practice; the production team ensures set, rigging and effects are designed and operated safely; and performers follow direction and report hazards. Children are always supervised backstage by cleared adults in line with our Child Safety Plan.
Hazards must be reported and addressed promptly, and anyone may stop an unsafe activity. Incidents and near-misses are recorded and reviewed to improve future productions. This policy is reviewed at least annually and applied afresh to each production's specific requirements.
CentreStage builds, stores and hires costumes, sets and props — including through our costume and set hire service for other companies, schools and organisations. This policy ensures those production elements are made, handled and stored safely, protecting performers, crew, staff and the people who hire from us.
It applies to all construction, use, storage and hire of costumes, sets and props, and works with our Rehearsal & Performance Safety Policy.
Sets and heavy props are lifted and moved using safe manual-handling practices and, where needed, more than one person or mechanical aids. Storage areas are kept clean, organised and clear of obstructions, with heavy items stored low and walkways maintained. Electrical props and practical lights are tested and tagged in line with requirements.
Items offered for hire are inspected before and after hire, and hirers are given any relevant safety information. Our hire service is available to theatre companies, schools, organisations and individuals, but is not offered for private parties or dress-up events; this focus helps us keep the service safe, well-maintained and genuinely useful to the sector.
The production and wardrobe teams are responsible for the safety of the elements they create and manage, and the office oversees the hire service. Hazards are reported and addressed promptly. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
From time to time CentreStage students and performers take part in activities away from our usual sites — performances at other venues such as the Geelong Arts Centre, showcases, workshops and events. This policy sets out how we maintain supervision and duty of care during off-site and touring activity so that participants are as safe away from base as they are at home.
It applies to all off-site activities involving CentreStage participants, especially those involving people under 18, and is supported by our Child Safety Plan, Emergency Management Plan and First Aid Policy.
Supervising staff confirm the venue is safe before students arrive, brief participants on expectations and emergency procedures, and maintain line-of-sight supervision appropriate to the setting. The same child-safety standards that apply at our sites apply off-site, including rules about communication, one-to-one contact and change facilities. Any incident is managed under our First Aid and Emergency Management arrangements and reported.
When we perform at partner venues, we cooperate with their safety and emergency procedures while maintaining our own duty of care to our participants. Responsibilities are clarified in advance so there are no gaps in supervision.
The activity coordinator is responsible for planning, consent and supervision, with oversight from the office. This policy is reviewed at least annually and applied to the specifics of each activity.
Volunteers are the heart of CentreStage. We could not stage seven to eleven productions a year, run our education academy or support our community without the people who give their time. This handbook sets out everything our volunteers need to feel supported, valued and safe, and what we ask of them in return. We respect our volunteers and are committed to a positive, rewarding volunteering experience.
It applies to everyone who volunteers with CentreStage in any capacity — backstage, front of house, wardrobe, sets, committee and beyond — and works with our Code of Conduct, Child Safety Plan and Working with Children Policy.
We will treat you with respect, give you meaningful work and the information you need to do it, and keep your workload reasonable. We will provide a safe environment, recognise your contribution, welcome your feedback, and offer opportunities to develop new skills and take on new challenges. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are handled fairly, and your wellbeing matters to us as much as anyone's.
We ask volunteers to uphold our Code of Conduct, follow safety and child-safety requirements, be reliable and communicate if plans change, respect confidentiality, and help maintain the warm, inclusive culture that makes CentreStage special. Volunteers working with young people follow the same child-safety expectations as staff.
Every volunteer has a point of contact for questions, concerns or support, and can raise issues through our Complaints & Grievance Procedure. We celebrate our volunteers and the difference they make. This handbook is reviewed at least annually with input from volunteers themselves.
Performing can be a physically exhausting and emotionally draining pursuit, and everyone in our community is only human. This pledge sets out CentreStage's commitment to caring for the whole person — our staff, volunteers, performers, students and families — and reflects the We Care value at the centre of our We Are People Plan.
It applies across all of our activities and sits alongside our Mental Health First Aid Policy, First Aid Policy and Child Safety Plan.
We build wellbeing into how we work, not just what we say. Leaders are encouraged to model healthy behaviour, to notice when someone is struggling, and to respond with care. We normalise conversations about mental health, we respect the demands people carry outside CentreStage, and we make adjustments where we reasonably can. We recognise the particular pressures on young performers and on those balancing performance with study, work and family.
Anyone who needs support is encouraged to speak with the Health & Wellbeing Manager or a trusted staff member. In an emergency, or where someone is at immediate risk, we call 000. We keep a current list of external helplines and services available to our community, and we connect people to professional help when that is what is needed.
Leadership resources and champions this pledge; everyone in our community helps uphold a caring culture. This pledge is reviewed at least annually.
Mental health is as important as physical health, and early, compassionate support can make a real difference. This policy sets out how CentreStage recognises and responds to mental-health needs across our community, and how we support people to access professional help. It gives practical effect to the care we pledge in our We Are People Plan.
It applies to all CentreStage settings and to everyone in our community, and is supported by our Health & Wellbeing Pledge and Child Safety Plan.
Our people are encouraged to notice signs that someone may be struggling — changes in mood, participation or behaviour — and to check in with warmth and without judgement. A Mental Health First Aider can listen, offer reassurance, and help the person connect with appropriate support, whether that is a family member, a GP such as our local partner practice, or a specialist service. We respond to disclosures involving a child's safety under our Child Safety Plan.
We treat what people share in confidence, sharing only what is necessary to keep someone safe. We are clear that mental-health first aid is initial support, not a substitute for professional care, and we help people reach that care. In an emergency, or where there is risk to life, we call 000.
The Health & Wellbeing Manager coordinates support and maintains referral information; leaders foster a supportive climate. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
Dancing, singing and performing place real physical demands on the body, and sensible preparation prevents most common injuries. These guidelines set out CentreStage's best-practice approach to warm-ups and load management so that our performers — from our youngest students to our adult casts — stay healthy and perform at their best.
They apply to all classes, rehearsals and performances involving physical activity, and are supported by our First Aid, Rehearsal Safety and Vocal & Hearing Health policies.
Teachers and choreographers lead warm-ups, teach safe technique, and adjust choreography to the abilities in the room. They watch for signs of fatigue or strain, build in breaks and water stops, and never push a performer beyond what is safe. Skills that carry more risk — lifts, jumps and acrobatic movement — are taught progressively and supervised closely.
Where a performer is carrying an injury or returning from one, we work with them and their family on a safe, graded return to activity, in line with any medical advice. During intensive production periods we manage total load — rehearsal hours, performances and other commitments — to reduce the risk of overuse.
Teaching and production staff apply these guidelines; participants and families support them by sharing relevant health information. These guidelines are reviewed at least annually.
Some CentreStage activities take place outdoors or during Victoria's warmer months, when sun exposure and heat can pose real risks. This policy sets out simple, sensible measures to keep performers, students, staff and volunteers safe from sunburn, heat illness and dehydration.
It applies to outdoor activities, summer programming and any indoor activity in hot conditions, and supports our First Aid Policy and duty of care.
On hot days, supervising staff monitor conditions and participants, build in more frequent breaks, reduce the intensity of physical work, and ensure water is always available. Costumes and rehearsal clothing are considered in the heat, particularly for children. We take particular care with participants who may be more vulnerable to heat, and we do not hesitate to modify or postpone activity when conditions require it.
If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, staff move them to a cool place, provide water if they are able to drink, cool them, and seek medical help — calling 000 for any serious or worsening case. The incident is recorded and families are notified.
Coordinators apply this policy to their activities and check forecasts when planning outdoor work. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
Voices and hearing are precious tools for singers, actors and musicians, and they need protection. These guidelines set out how CentreStage looks after the vocal and hearing health of performers and musicians, so that our people can enjoy long, healthy involvement in the arts.
They apply to all singing, speaking and instrumental activity across classes, rehearsals and performances, and are supported by our Injury Prevention and Rehearsal Safety policies.
We monitor rehearsal and performance volumes and take reasonable steps to manage exposure, particularly in the orchestra pit and around amplified sound and effects. Hearing protection is available and encouraged for musicians and crew who need it, and we position people and equipment with hearing safety in mind.
We are especially mindful of young and developing voices, teaching age-appropriate technique and repertoire and never demanding more than a young performer's voice can safely give. Teachers watch for signs of vocal fatigue or strain and adjust accordingly.
Vocal and musical staff apply these guidelines and model healthy practice; performers are encouraged to report vocal or hearing concerns early. Where a persistent problem arises, we encourage professional assessment. These guidelines are reviewed at least annually.
Our Cultural Framework describes the cultural characteristics and indicators that anchor our people's everyday experiences and interactions, and it guides how we build a high-performing, values-led organisation. It exists because we believe that the culture of CentreStage — how we treat one another and how we work — is the foundation on which consistently strong, inclusive theatre is built.
It applies across the whole organisation and to everyone connected to it, and it draws directly on our We Are People Plan values: We Belong, We Create, We Listen, We Care.
Our culture must continually shift to match the behaviours of a supported, high-performing team. We use benchmarks and surveys to understand our culture and to constantly improve, and we consult our community and government forums to help us set new standards. Management models the framework and brings partners and suppliers along on the journey, recognising our role as custodians of a shared creative ecosystem.
Feedback is collated and verified with our community partners, and progress is reported and acted upon. Living the framework is a shared responsibility, with leadership accountable for setting the tone. This policy is reviewed at least annually.
Clear, prompt reporting of incidents, injuries, hazards and concerns is essential to keeping our community safe and to continually improving how we work. This procedure explains how to report at CentreStage, what happens to a report, and how we use what we learn. Every report is taken seriously, and no one will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine concern.
It applies to all incidents, near-misses, injuries, hazards and safety or child-safety concerns arising from CentreStage activities, and it underpins our First Aid, Emergency Management and Child Safety policies.
Report immediately to the staff member, teacher or coordinator on site. Complete an incident record with the date, time, people involved, what happened and what action was taken. If you cannot report in person, contact the office on (03) 5272 1775 or email david@centrestage.org.au. Child-safety concerns are escalated to the Child Safety Officer without delay, and serious matters are reported to the relevant authorities as required by law.
We make the situation safe, care for anyone affected, and notify families where a child is involved. We review each report to understand the cause and to prevent recurrence, and we track hazards through to resolution. Patterns across reports inform improvements to our risk assessments, training and policies.
Coordinators ensure incidents at their activities are recorded and escalated; the office maintains the incident register and oversees review. This procedure is reviewed at least annually.
Social Media & Communication Policy
This policy sets out approved, transparent ways for CentreStage to communicate with young people and families, and how our staff, volunteers and members should conduct themselves on social media and messaging platforms. Its purpose is to keep communication safe, professional and consistent with our child-safety obligations, while allowing us to share the excitement of our productions and programs with our community.
It applies to all official CentreStage channels and to the conduct of staff, volunteers and contractors where it relates to CentreStage. It works alongside our Child Safety Plan, Code of Conduct and Photography & Image Consent Policy, and covers our approved education tools such as StudioPro and Seesaw.
Communicating with young people
Official channels
Only authorised people post on CentreStage's official accounts. Content is respectful, accurate and consistent with our brand and values, and it protects the privacy of children in line with our image-consent practice. We do not use our platforms to promote unrelated personal businesses or products, and we correct mistakes promptly and transparently.
Personal use
Staff, volunteers and members are welcome to enjoy social media personally, but should not post material that identifies children in our care without consent, that brings CentreStage into disrepute, or that breaches confidentiality. Comments that are discriminatory, harassing or abusive are never acceptable and may be dealt with under our Code of Conduct.
Responsibilities, moderation and review
Nominated staff manage and moderate official channels and respond to messages within business hours. Concerns about online conduct or content can be reported to the office and, where they involve a child's safety, are escalated immediately. This policy is reviewed at least annually as platforms and tools change.