National Youth Week (NYW) is an annual feature on Australia’s youth calendar. Youth weeks have existed in some states and territories for quite a few years, but until 2000, there wasn’t a national event that all young Australians could call their own.

NYW receives widespread support from Australia’s young people, as well as Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local governments, community organisations, the media and the private sector. With a different theme every year, NYW is a nationwide showcase for the talents, creativity and commitment of young Australians to improving the lifestyle of future generations of young people. NYW also celebrates Australia’s vibrant youth culture with a myriad of sports, arts and cultural activities being held in local communities.

In collaboration with youth, Woollahra Council, Waverley Council and Waverley Action for Youth Services (WAYS) have coordinated a range of events for Youth Week.

Youth Week 2009 will be celebrated from 28 March to 5 April. The slogan for Youth Week 2009 is ‘Make a Move’. Some of the key events being held in the area are listed below.

The 21^st Bondi Blitz Concert from midday until 6pm on Saturday 28 March will be held at Bondi Beach. This concert will launch Youth Week 2009 with a bang, with a great line up featuring music acts from local youth bands. Blitz is a highlight of the Youth Week program, and is an all ages, drug and alcohol free event. As well as established and emerging artists playing on the day, Blitz will continue it’s tradition of engaging young people from many different backgrounds in it’s planning, promotion and performance, giving valuable experience to young people and helping keep the all ages music scene alive in Sydney.

The WAYS Youth Week Youth Forum will focus on ‘The Federal and State Anti-binge Drinking Campaign’. The forum provides an opportunity for students from local high schools to openly discuss their views, gain information and most importantly contribute to the knowledge developed to tackle these kinds of public concerns. This year’s theme explores the effectiveness of the well publicised government campaign against binge drinking by young people. Students will hear from guest speakers in the field and actively participate in workshops. It will be a fun but informative day. The forum will be held at WAYS Bondi Beach on Tuesday 31 March from 9am to 3pm.

Urban Arts Base will be hosting an Art Exhibition titled “Projected Feelings”. Talented young artists from the Urban Arts Base program will be exhibiting their landscape paintings and creative films at the Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery from 31 March to 5 April 2009, with the opening night on Wednesday 1 April, from 6pm. Internationally recognised artists Peter Cameron and Cindi Drennan, Urban Arts Base Artists in Residence in 2008-2009, will share their creative techniques with young people aged between 15 to 25 years experiencing mental health issues. The artworks in this exhibition have been made during art workshops at Urban Arts Base and all sale proceeds go directly to the artists.

The Youth Week project received funding from the NSW Department of Community Services. For more information on Youth Week go to www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au

This National Week is an important focus for young people, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents, supported by a grant from the NSW Department of Community Services and Woollahra Council.

For further information contact:

Ollie White
Community Development Officer
Telephone: 9391 7182
Fax: 9391 7044
Email: ollie.white@woollahra.nsw.gov.au