Let the town’s young help the town’s young
FREQUENTLY we hear the message the Granite Belt needs to be doing something for our youth.
We hear various suggestions thrown around from time to time, but more often than not those seem to be coming from the town’s adults.
This week I got the chance to talk to some of the people from the Granite Belt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation.
The group had organised a day of activities for Youth Week which drew a sizeable crowd.
What really separated their event from all the others was the fact that it was an activity for the youth organised by youth.
Instead of being told what they needed, they organised what they wanted – and it worked really well.
One of the organisers Texas De Vries told me it was the type of event they wanted to hold more frequently.
What the day consisted of was very simple.
There were art activities, hip hop dance lessons and a chance to give DJing a go.
Combined with some snacks and face paint and there you have a fun day of activities that genuinely appeal to the young.
When the Granite Belt’s youth put their mind to it and are given the resources it is amazing what they can achieve. Instead of telling the youth what they need, why not simply ask them?