Wednesday, 19 April 2023
NSW Youth Week is being celebrated from April 20 – 30 with a theme of ‘Connect, Participate, Celebrate’.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging young people aged 12 to 24 to get involved in the broad range of activities being made available in their community.
“Over the school holidays and right through to the end of the month there are a host of activities which have been arranged by local youth councils and other groups,” Ms Cooke said.
“Everything from fitness sessions through to craft and other skills-based activities, there are so many opportunities to get involved in something that interests you.”
Ms Cooke said Youth Week events follows significant investment in local programs, many of which are dedicated to resilience of young people in regional communities.
“We have seen several local programs support youth in our area such as Temora Shire Council’s Resilience Project through the former NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities Program.
“Programs run by Boys to the Bush, proudly supported through the Office of Regional Youth and other funding programs are directly improving the lives and wellbeing of young people in regional areas.”
Ms Cooke said the Regional Youth Taskforce and NSW Youth Advisory Council are a big part of these programs being made available to support younger people.
“I am so proud to have had three locals front and centre in driving these opportunities for youth in our smaller communities.
“Khawlah Albaf from Young, Stassi Austin and more recently Poppy Starr from Cowra have taken the opportunity to be involved at the next level, and excitingly, applications for the NSW Youth Advisory Council are once again open to anyone in our electorate looking to make a valued contribution to their future and that of their peers.”
Applications for the NSW Youth Advisory Council are open until Sunday 21 May. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/engage/youth-advisory-council-yac