NEWCASTLES NEWS April 15

National Youth Week, 10-19 April, is the largest celebration of young people in Australia aged 12-25 and this year young people of Newcastle and the Hunter can participate in a range of special events from a pop-up outdoor cinema at Civic Park to an interactive scavenger hunt exploring the City and its history.

Lord Mayor Cr Nuatali Nelmes says Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to express their ideas and views and act on issues that affect their lives.

“Youth Week is created by young people, for young people, and each year all over Australia events are planned and organised to celebrate and recognise the contribution of young people to our society.”

“Council is committed to ensuring the well being and diverse needs of young people are incorporated into all Youth Week activities. For the past two years we have been working with the Newcastle Youth Council to develop a small grants program to deliver to local youth groups; $3,000 is funded by Council and this amount is matched by the State Government.”

It starts with us is this year’s theme and Newcastle Youth Council has partnered with a variety of local agencies to deliver nine Youth Week 2015 events in Newcastle. Some events are invitation only as they are intended to provide a safe environment for young people to collaborate with youth workers on the challenges and experiences they face.

Some of the open events include:

The Hunter Region Working Women’s Group is hosting What’s On Your Mind?, a free one day forum for young women to explore issues they face in our community.

Headspace Newcastle is hosting Hunter Seekers, an interactive scavenger hunt exploring Newcastle city and its history at Newcastle Museum.

Party in the Park offers a range of events at Broadmeadow PCYC, which coincides with Youth Homelessness Matters Day. Hosted by Samaritans Foundation SHS Program the party is open to all young people, in particular young people facing homelessness.

Enjoying My Life, Let’s Go! is a day of fun in the community for all, in particular young people with disabilities. Activities will include pizza making, didgeridoo, mask decorating, karaoke disco and a BBQ, this event is hosted by House with No Steps.
A pop-up film night is planned for Civic Park on Saturday 18 April and will showcase films made by young people for young people; this event is hosted by Newcastle Community & Youth Development Project and is open to everyone. Participants are encouraged to bring along a picnic blanket.

A complete list of events can be found on Council’s website, http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au. Click on Youth Week 2015 in the photo carousel at the top of the page.

Newcastle Youth Council has eight active members who meet six times per year to provide strategic advice to Council and develop leadership skills through youth initiatives and Youth Week events each year.
– See more at: http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/about_newcastle/news_and_events/media_releases/media_releases/youth_week_2015_it_starts_with_us!/_nocache#sthash.7X06j67m.dpuf