Port youths challenged to unleash creativity for Youth Week 2016

A PROJECT encouraging young people to unleash their creativity will be key part in the Port’s Youth Week celebrations this year.

Youth Week in NSW will run between Friday, April 8 and Sunday, April 17.

The annual event gives young people the opportunity to express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives and to create and enjoy activities and events.

Port Stephens Council’s Youth Advisory Panel will kick start the week’s activities in the local government area on Thursday, April 7.

The panel will run a challenge where youths aged 12 to 24 are encouraged to channel their skills and imagination into creating a song, film, short story or photo within 24 hours.

Entries into the 24-hour challenge, called Port Stephens 24, are to be created with certain themes in mind.

Those themes will be released on April 7 through the PSC Youth Advisory Panel Facebook page, Port Stephens FM community radio, at high schools and the Tomaree and Raymond Terrace libraries.

James Campbell, Port Stephens Council’s senior community development and engagement officer, said the project was an innovative way for young people to use their creative talents and skills to express their interpretation of a theme in a tangible, completed work.

“There will be a panel of judges who will have the arduous task of reviewing each entry,” he said.

“The winners will not only receive awards and prizes, but their piece will be showcased at a special evening event as part of Port Stephens’ Youth Week activities.”

The showcase will be held at Raymond Terrace Library on April 14 from 5.30pm.

Port Stephens 24 films will be screened at an outdoor cinema behind the library, there will be a music tunnel, a room full of stories and photo entries on the walls.

The launch of Youth Week will be held at The Deck Youth Venue in Raymond Terrace on April 8.

Between 3pm and 6.30pm The Deck, located off Kangaroo Street, will be open to youths who can grab a free sausage sizzle and get involved with a variety of activities.

Dana Roach, from Nelson Bay, helped organise the launch as part of her university placement at The Deck.

Ms Roach said the event was aimed at bringing the community and youths together.

“We all live in the same community and all want a happy, healthy environment,” Ms Roach said.

“We need to support youths, the next generation of adults, so they can help create the healthy environment we want to live in.”

The Deck’s Youth Week launch will include more than 10 activity stalls, jumping castles, traditional and cultural games, slip ‘n’ slide, arts and crafts plus a Soulfire Circus workshop.

Entry is free.