Youth take centre stage for week of activities

City of Newcastle is inviting local youth to come together and enjoy street art, skateboarding and song-writing as part of NSW Youth Week.

The creation of a community mural will kick off a suite of youth-led activities supported by the City during the state-wide event, which runs until 24 April with the theme ‘Together more than ever’.

Image Caption: Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Newcastle Youth Council representatives, members from Hunter Futurepreneurs, and young local First Nations women with Yolngu music group The Illume Girls at City Hall yesterday for the launch of Youth Week in Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Youth Week was an important way to engage with and acknowledge the talents of young people.

“As part of Newcastle Youth Week celebrations, the City is supporting events and activities that promote Newcastle as a community that welcomes and celebrates young people from all backgrounds,” Cr Nelmes said.

For the past eight years, City of Newcastle has been working with the Newcastle Youth Council to coordinate a grants program for the delivery of Youth Week initiatives.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said three projects had been funded through the program this year, with the City supporting another two collaborative projects that showcase and recognise local First Nations talent and promote positive use of public space.

“Newcastle Youth Week is planned and delivered by young people for young people and provides opportunities for local youth to connect with each other and their local communities,” Cr Clausen said.

Newcastle Youth Week Events and Activities

Young Artisans Marketplace
Saturday 17 April, 2pm - 5pm, Hunter Multicultural Communities Hall

Come and support Newcastle’s local creative youth at the artisan market. Spend the afternoon shopping for a variety of handmade products including artwork, candles, scrunchies, jewellery and other amazing products, while enjoying fun, food and entertainment by local performers.

Aero-Soul Activism
(not open to the public)

Local street artists UP&UP are taking their unique brand of placemaking and street-art activism into local high schools this year, running workshops with students about the history of street art and activism in Newcastle.

Tidda’s at Muloobinba
Sunday 18 April, 2pm - 4pm, Civic Theatre Playhouse

This event is the culmination of a three-day intensive song-writing workshop as local young First Nations women present their own unique musical performance. With mentoring provided by Yolngu music group The Illume Girls, a group of up to 12 young women will spend three days crafting a unique musical performance for the public. Following on from the performance, there will be an opportunity to meet the performers and hear about their journey to the stage.

Youth Week Out West
Saturday 24 April, 1pm - 5pm, Wallsend Skate Park

A skate event held at Wallsend Skate Park including live music, a free barbecue and games. The event is hosted by City of Newcastle and supported by Northlakes Youth Projects and will feature skate demonstrations from Laate, a free-skate competition and entertainment by local emerging bands.