The council was a finalist in the Youth Week Awards for the ‘Best Small Council with the Most Outstanding Youth Week Program in 2016’.   

The Awards recognise and acknowledge the role played by Councils in helping young people to plan and co-ordinate Youth Week activities and events.

Key to the success of Youth Week events was Council’s Youth Worker, Kristy Newbury.

Miss Newbury said she was very pleased to have the hard work of the young people who partnered with her recognised. 

“It is paramount to keep our youth involved with our community,” she said.

“I am dedicated to promoting and engaging our youth and that is why I do this job, inspiring our youth starts with us.”

Miss Newbury said an important aspect of Youth Week planning each year is getting together with local young people to discuss their ideas on what events to hold.

“From this meeting, youth volunteer their time and they are involved in the planning, organising and running of events, including designing advertising, preparing food, decorations, prizes, content, setting up and cleaning up after events, and  even running key elements of the events,” she said.

Director of Corporate and Community Services Anna Watt congratulated Kristy for providing more choices for young people in our community, and thanked collaborating organisations and the young people themselves who worked with Council to achieve wonderful outcomes for our youth. 

“Being recognised by the Local Government award for our efforts in this area is very rewarding for all involved,” Mrs Watt said. 

“Youth Week is growing bigger and better every year. It is now something our youth look forward to. 

“Highlights of Youth Week 2016 were the Live @ the Library music and dance evening and Youth Inspire, an event that facilitates young people taking the time to think about their lives and what paths they would like to take with leisure, school, and career now and into the future.”

Manager of Community Services Janine Johnson said both events involved extensive community collaboration.

“The community and business representatives thoroughly enjoyed these interactions and gained an insight into what the youth of today are interested in ” she said.

“This collaboration is vital to the success of Youth Week as Kristy couldn’t achieve such positive outcomes working alone.”