The annual celebration that is Youth Week was launched in Raymond Terrace on Friday with the dedication of a new exhibition space for young artists.
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“Every two months we’re going to get some new artwork from young people to show off their talent,” Mahaylia Soars said.
Miss Soars is part of the Youth Advisory Panel Group behind much of the Youth Week celebrations in Port Stephens this year.
She, Braydon Milford, 18, and Haylee Cupit, 14, put hours into planning events like a picnic at Raymond Terrace Library, and the launch of the art space.
“We’re thinking of doing an optical theme for youths to base their works on,” Ms Soars said.
Mr Milford said the theme for Youth Week and the inaugural exhibition was Unity Through Diversity.
“We all met up to discuss how we were going to run the whole thing, from the Youth Week activities to the exhibition space,” he said.
“We organised Hunter River High School to be involved and even had some help from Ability Links.”
Haylee took the lead on curating the first exhibition.
“Sometimes its hard to find volunteers and organise things but I managed to pull together this collection in time,” she said.
“I’m happy with the result.”
Miss Soars said the theme spoke strongly to her.
“Unity Through Diversity is making connections and friendships with people of different backgrounds,” she said. “Regardless of our background, we’re one giant family.”
Regardless of our background, we’re one giant family.
- Mahaylia Soars
Youth Week began as a state government initiative in 1989, and has since grown to be a celebration of young people in every state and territory across the country. There were 10,242 people aged 12 to 24 in Port Stephens (2011 Census) – 16 per cent of the total population.
Organised by young people, for young people, Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard on issues of concern to them, showcase their talents, celebrate their contribution to the community, take part in competitions, an most of all, have fun. Over the weekend there was a skate and scooter competition at Fly Point and on Friday there was a launch for new programs at The Drop Hall at Tanilba Bay.
Youth Week celebrations conclude with the Up & Up Art and Music Workshop at Medowie Public School on Sunday, between 10am and 2pm.
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