After years of searching, the artistic youth of Port Stephens have found a venue on the Tomaree peninsula they can call home.
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In what may seem on the outside to be unlikely alliance, a temporary arrangement has been reached between the Tomaree Youth Community Action (TYCA) group and the Croatian Bocce Club located at the Tomaree sports fields.
To celebrate the union an open day is being conducted at the Bocce clubhouse on Saturday, October 13, which will showcase a range of youth-based activities and Bocce demonstrations between 10am and 2pm.
TYCA founder and longtime treasurer Sally Dover said that the Bocce members had shown a lot of goodwill and enthusiasm to welcoming youth and said the premises were ideal for workshops connected to the creative arts.
“Following discussions with the youth of the area the TYCA committee has decided to invest more of its time and resources into the creative arts in areas such as art, music, writing, robotics, animation, cartooning and the like,” Mrs Dover said.
“The Bocce premises are underutilised so it made a lot of sense for both parties to enter into temporary partnership, which we hope will become permanent.
“An added benefit is that the venue is ideally located, close to the two high schools, Tomaree and St Philip’s, plus the sporting complex, the shopping centre and public transport.
“We think it’s a win-win for both organisations.”
Bocce club president Peter Skoljares was equally excited about the arrangement.
“Our numbers have been on the decline in recent years so we are happy to hire out the premises to other users,” Mr Skoljares said.
“The building has more than 30 years of history for the bocce community but we currently only play three or four times a week. We have agreed to a three month trial but we hope the partnership can be extended.”
Children, adults and families are invited to come along to the open day where a number of artists will be displaying their talents.
They include Linda Pundi with her robotics display, Mike Wheeler from Toonworld demonstrating his animation and cartooning talents and celebrated author Joanna Atherford Finn providing writing workshops.
Bocce club members will be there from 1pm for anyone interested in learning more about the game.
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