19 March 2018
Youth Week is a national celebration, providing the opportunity for young people to share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard, showcase their talents, celebrate their contributions, to meet new people and to have fun.
Gunnedah Youth Council (GYC) has a jam-packed program of events for Youth Week 2018 (April 9-21), targeted at young people aged 12-25.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong said Youth Week is a time to recognise the valuable contribution young people make to the community.
“Youth Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and show support for our Shire’s young people. GYC, supported by Gunnedah Shire Council, has put a lot of work into this year’s program of events,” Ms Emojong said.
The 2018 Youth Week theme is ‘Unity through Diversity’.
“This year’s theme allows us to celebrate the strength in our differences, and the fact that the uniqueness and successes of our region are based on the diversity of our people and a unified approach,” Ms Emojong said.
“Today’s young people are our future and we have the opportunity to provide them with the platforms, tools, support and inspiration to help them grow.”
Youth Week Gunnedah 2018 kicks off with anti-bullying and social media awareness workshops at a number of local schools. A Youth Movie Night will be held in Curlewis on Thursday, 12 April from 6.00pm at the Youth Hall, Curlewis Church. An inter-school debate between Gunnedah High School and St Mary’s College students will take place on Thursday, 12 April in the St Xavier’s School Hall from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
A highlight of the program is the 4th Annual Gunnedah Youth Expo – a free event for youth and their parents, featuring stalls, workshops and access to local services for information on a variety of topics including careers, tertiary education, Legal Aid, Fair Trading, mental and sexual health, drugs and alcohol, homelessness and family violence. The expo will be held at Wolseley Park and The Civic from 10.00am to 2.00pm on 10 April.
A new addition to the program - Gunnedah Youth Council is setting up a headquarters at the Gunnedah Show on Saturday, 14 April, featuring Just Dance tournaments, promotions, giveaways and information stalls. GYC Youth Week HQ will open from 10.00am to 5.00pm in the North Power Shed (opposite Griffiths Pavilion).
‘Beats, Bass and Basketball’ on Wednesday, 18 April, will be held in conjunction with Youth Homelessness Awareness Day and NSW Youth Week Hump Day, and will feature a live DJ, basketball competition and information stalls.
Flower crowned performer, Goldheist, will headline at the Friday Fun Fest on April 20 at Kitchener Oval from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. The singer songwriter is known for bringing her songs and stories to stages across regional Australia for drought relief. Friday Fun Fest will also host novelty sports competitions, bubble soccer, a canteen, more live music from Gunnedah Conservatorium students, an outdoor movie and short film showcase.
Throughout the week, young people can also register for barista skills workshops, an excursion to Tamworth including laser tag and a visit to The Youthie, a Safer Driver Course, and a CPR Course.
The action-packed week will end with a concert featuring Iron and Clay, in the Gunnedah Town Hall on April 21 from 7.30pm-9.00pm. Iron and Clay are a ministry/motivational band that travel across Australia to inspire and influence young people.
All Youth Week events are drug and alcohol free. View the full Gunnedah Youth Week 2018 Program here.
To secure a spot in any of the events, visit www.thecivic.com.au or phone Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100. Bookings are open from Friday, 23 March, 2018.
For more information contact Council’s Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au
Photo: Gunnedah Youth Council members Bodie Crawford, Jackson Jarvis, Thomas Bush and Byron Donnelly launch the 2018 program of events for Youth Week.
ENDS
Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.
