The theme for this year’s Youth Week is Together More Than Ever, with a wide range of events for young people to connect, build skills, showcase their talents, be inspired and have fun.
Central Coast Youth Week is part of a national event to give young people aged from 12 to 24 an opportunity to express their ideas and views, act on issues affecting their lives.
“Council has collaborated with local young people and youth service providers to help create an incredible calendar of events,” said Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughn.
“Youth Week is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the contribution that young people make to our community and allow for their voices to be heard,” she said.
Throughout the week there will be music events showcasing talented local performers and musicians, including the grand final of Discovered, as well as creative skills and skate workshops, fitness activities, a workshop on how to start a social enterprise to help kick start young people’s business ideas and much more.
The Busking Project will present Metro Fest at PCYC Bateau Bay on Thursday, April 15, from 12 noon to 5pm.
It’s an outdoor music event for 12 to 18 year olds, showcasing young bands and artists from across the Central Coast and is being run in partnership with Regional Youth Support Services and Police and Community Youth Club.
Oasis Youth Fest on Friday, April 16, in Wyong, is another event for young performers in a range of platforms such as dance, bands and spoken word poetry.
This event for 12 to 17 year olds will be at Oasis Youth Centre, 15 Hely St, Wyong, from 6 to 9pm.
On Saturday, April 17, from 10am to 4pm, Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre will host a range of creative pursuits.
The centre is linking young people with local businesses to help develop skills that support creative pathways to employment, increase confidence, encourage young people’s creative ideas and embrace lifelong learning opportunities.
Sessions will include how to make balloon animals from 10am to 12pm, how to make macrame earrings from 1pm to 2pm, and how to make macrame key rings from 3pm to 4pm.
These events are aimed at the 12 to 18 years age group.
Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre is at 1 Colongra Bay Rd, Lake Munmorah.
Young people aged 12 to 18 can have a nutritious breakfast followed by a game of basketball at The Y Brekkie & BBall Club at Lake Haven Recreation Centre in Goobarabah Ave, Gorokan.
This event is being held on Monday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 21, between 7 and 8.30am.
The Y Streetgym is bringing the gym to the streets with an event on Tuesday, April 20, 3-4pm, at LINKS Youth Support Services Youth Cabin, Brava Ave, San Remo, and another on Thursday, April 22, 2.30-4.30pm, at Lake Haven Recreation Centre.
Starting Your Own Social Enterprise is being hosted by University of Newcastle Ourimbah Campus on Thursday, April 22, from 12.30 to 4.30pm.
It is run by social entrepreneur and 2015 finalist in Young Australian of the Year, Adam Mostogl, who has helped facilitate the world’s biggest innovation process for the Sustainable Development Goals.
He has participated in events hosted by the US State Department, the World Economic Forum, the United Nations and others.
This event is part of the IGNITE Business Launchpad, an initiative of Central Coast Council to help young people explore entrepreneurship and starting their own business with confidence, support and advice.
Other events are being held all around the Coast and a full program is available on Council’s website.
“What makes Youth Week unique is that events are organised for young people, by young people, which helps build lifelong skills that assist with future employment opportunities, while simultaneously ensuring that events are what young people want and need, whether you’re a skater, creator, athlete or simply want to connect and relax with friends, there is something on offer for all ages, interests and abilities,” Vaughn said..
Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM, said that Youth Week provides an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the many and varied contributions of young people to our community.
“There are over 50,000 young people living on the Coast,” said Persson.
“We are committed to creating and providing opportunities for our young people to connect and access activities that are fun, showcase their talents, as well as help them to build skills that they can use in the future
“With such a great range of activities, events and celebrations taking place, I would encourage our young people to find out what is happening and get involved,” said Persson.
Source:
Central Coast Council website