Youth to lead the way

Abrainstorming session in Stawell will give young people an opportunity to shape future Northern Grampians Shire youth events and activities.

Stawell’s Freeza partnership – Grampians Community Health, Stawell Neighbourhood House and Stawell Performing Arts Company – is hosting ‘The Gathering’ at Stawell Neighbourhood House on Saturday.

The session, from 10am to 3pm, will provide young people an opportunity to discuss current and potential creative musical and cultural events and activities they would like to see in Stawell, Halls Gap, St Arnaud and Navarre.

Grampians Community Health Freeza co-ordinator Melissa Mair said young people at The Gathering could consider

applications for a music event grant supported by the State Government.

“Freeza has always been about youthled events,” she said.

“Young people know what they like. If they have been involved in the planning then they are going to put on something they would like to attend.

“At The Gathering, young people will be able to look at The Push’s new All-ages Grants Program 2019-2020, and see if they would like to apply for funding to support an all-aged event.

“Some people simply like to turn up at events and have a good time, others might be interested in forming a youth council where they can get involved in running events and access training or mentoring programs.”

Ms Mair said organisers would also seek to use the ‘wealth’ of community talent and experience from members involved in performing arts, both on and off the stage including light and sound crews and performers to benefit young people.

“We are looking to tap into this experience and look at ways to mentor the next generation,” she said.

“We are very pleased to have the skills of Carly Flecknoe, festival director of The Grampians Music Festival since 2017, who will facilitate the gathering of ideas and pass on some insights into the world of running a music festival.”

Ms Mair encouraged people aged between 12 and 25 who are interested in helping shape events in and around Stawell to attend.

She said parents and guardians could find information about Freeza on the Grampians Community Health website, www.grampianscommunityhealth.org.au.