Applications Now Open for Spring Holiday Activities

Councils and eligible not-for-profit organisations in the Cootamundra electorate are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver Holiday Break activities for young people during the upcoming spring school holidays. 

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the $10 million program offers young people in the region aged 12-24 years the opportunity to socialise with their peers, learn something new and have fun.

“The Holiday Break program provides ways for young people to engage and connect with people their own age in a wide range of events from arts and cultural activities to outdoor leisure pursuits,” Ms Cooke said. 

“It’s also a great foundation to strengthen mental health and wellbeing after what has been a difficult couple of years for many.”

“Funding of up to $7,000 will be available to all 93 regional councils and eligible not-for-profit organisations to deliver fun and exciting activities like movie nights, arts workshops, music activities and sport camps.” 

Minister for the Arts and Regional Youth, Ben Franklin said that for the last three years, the Holiday Break program has provided young people in the regions with the opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves over the holiday period.

“Holiday Break allows regional youth to overcome barriers to participation by providing free or heavily subsidised holiday activities, alleviating cost of living pressures for young families and ensuring they are given equal opportunities,” Mr Franklin said. 

“We want to ensure all regional young people have the opportunity to connect with each other, learn new skills, and enjoy their youth.” 

“If there’s an activity that you’d like to see happen during youth week or the school holidays, I encourage you to reach out to your local council or eligible not-for-profit organisation to turn your idea into a reality.” 

Applications are open now until the 29 July 2022. To find out more and for program guidelines, visit www.nsw.gov.au/HolidayBreak.  

Recovery Package to Boost Wellbeing for Regional Youth in the Cootamundra Electorate

The health and wellbeing of young people in the Cootamundra electorate is front and
centre, with the NSW Government investing $20.3 million into expanding the
Children and Young People Recovery Initiative and the Regional Youth Community
Coordinators (RY-CCs) program.


Member for Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said under the NSW
Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, RY-CCs are being
deployed to work with young people across the State including in the Cootamundra
electorate.


“The resilience of young people in the region has been tested by COVID-19, storms,
floods and bushfires, which is why we are delivering these important programs that
boost wellbeing and lay the foundations to recovery,” Ms Cooke said.


“The RY-CCs will facilitate conversations, community events, social activities and
wellbeing programs for young people, ensuring their voices are heard every step of
the way.”


Coordinators will have access to funding from the Children and Young People
Recovery Initiative for the delivery of programs and opportunities that are unique to
each region.


Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said four Regional Youth Community
Coordinators have already begun important work in key areas across the State.


“This initiative is about ensuring our young people have the support they need after
what has been an incredibly tough two years,” Mrs Taylor said.


“The RY-CC’s will be there to listen to young people and offer advice, skills and most
importantly help direct them to services they need to stay on top of their social,
emotional and physical wellbeing.”


This package will see a RY-CC located in every region across rural and regional
NSW.


For more information, please visit: https://www.regional.nsw.gov.au/our-work/pward/office-for-regional-youth