Race en route for Stawell
Teams of four will race across Stawell in a free community event encouraging youth engagement and activity next month.
Organisers hope energy will run high on April 14 for Stawell’s first ‘Amazing Race’, where groups will complete team-building challenges at seven ‘pit-stops’ across town.
Stawell librarian and organising member Sepe Illig said the upcoming event, which overlapped with both Youth Week and Active April, was created by and for young people.
“A couple of years ago Stawell Library had a youth group come through doing work experience,” she said.
“Part of what we did was brainstorm ideas for youth events that we could steer in the future.
“One of those ideas was an amazing race and we are finally putting it into action two years later.”
The competition, based on the television show of the same name, is open to all ages.
Organisers are encouraging teams to dress up, with prizes for ‘best dressed group’ and ‘best group selfie’ among five prize categories on offer.
Organisers have also invited young people to volunteer to help run the event.
Ms Illig said offering prizes aimed to bring a fun and high-energy atmosphere to the event in an overall push for greater community involvement.
“We try to put together programs and events that engage the wider community, and one group we like to focus on is our youth,” she said.
“But it is covering other groups too. We hope participants get enjoyment from it first and foremost.”
Although only in its first year, Ms Illig said the event, coinciding with similar community programs and a lead up to the Stawell Gift, could be a promising event for future years.
“There has been mention about it happening again. Hopefully all goes successfully and we get the feedback we are looking for,” she said.
“But it could not go ahead without our partners.
“Central Grampians LLEN is our major sponsor and we have attracted outside supporters such as Gwmwater, who is supplying water and drinking bottles for participants.”
Northern Grampians Shire Council, Arcadeon, Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly, Stawell Neighbourhood House, Aussie Kindies and Budja Budja Neighbourhood House are also involved.
Northern Grampians councillor Karen Hyslop said because the Stawell Amazing Race would be during school holidays, it was a perfect opportunity for families to get together and have fun while being active and enjoying the challenges on offer.
“It’s also a great chance for clubs and community groups to team up, be active and social and take it as seriously, or as easy as they’d like,” she said.
People eager to tie up their laces and get involved can register online at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au until 10am, April 12. Late registrations are also open on the day.