With the theme "Together more than ever" there was a something for everyone at the Federation Council's first Youth Fest including workshops on photography, skateboarding, a colour run, giant games and a pet parade.
The festival included four events across the Federation Council area as part of the 2021 NSW Youth Week celebrations from Saturday 10th to Saturday 24th April.
The Youth Fest was a concept of the Federation Youth Council who wanted to offer a variety of events across the Council area that would appeal to different ages and tastes.
"It was great to see everyone getting out, and enjoying themselves at the Youth Fest," said Youth Council Mayor, Max Blockley, "The Youth Council have been working hard with Council for the last few months to bring it all together and we are happy how it turned out."
The Youth Fest kicked off with Capturing the Light and Sunset Photography Workshop where a group of lucky young people immersed themselves in a three hour photography work shop with professional photographer Sue Davis in Corowa. During the workshop they learnt the basics of lighting and composition and how to best capture the subject of your photograph. The group then hit Sanger Street to try out their new skills and see if they can snap their way to being 'Instafamous!'
Over hundred and fifty young people and their families donned their white t-shirts, to be become human rainbows at the Mulwala Colour Run at Lonsdale Reserve on the Sunday.
Federation Youth Council Mayor, Max Blockley pumped everyone up with his boom box and enthusiasm as they waited at the inflatable arch. Before a small army of volunteers doused participants from head to toe with coloured powder as they ran around the course. After working up an appetite everyone enjoyed a free BBQ cooked by the Mulwala Football Netball Club as they recovered with some fun games and music.
Oaklands Central School pulled out all the stops when they partnered with Federation Council to host the Youth Week Sports Day on Wednesday 21 April on the school oval. The Oaklands students were joined by their colleagues from Urana Public School and St. Francis Xavier Primary School for an afternoon of archery tag, laser tag and air hockey. Former Youth Councillor, Noah Little from Corowa Soccer Association ran a workshop on soccer skills. The day included a BBQ lunch providing an opportunity for old and new friends to socialize. After lunch the Oaklands students set up their own activities including a photo booth, face painting, escape room, haunted maze, arcade games, and a café. Last of all there was a pet parade. First prize were given out to a family with Tigger the Cat and Georgie, Ella, Sophie and Tom with Bella the Lamb. Dayna won overall with her Cockatiel, Casper. The parade was run Georgie, Isla and Dayna
Lowe Square was the place to be last Saturday as a group of Howlong's youngest residents joined skateboard specialists TOTEM Collective for the Learn to Skate Workshop. The group were shown the basics of looking after your equipment, getting on, correct standing, stopping and even how to 'bail,' or if you wipe out. There were lessons to learn on skateboarding etiquette, what makes a safe skating environment and how to make safe skating decisions. Then to everyone's excited a trick or two and a chance to join the coaches to skate the park and put their skills into practice.
Federation Council would like to thank Sue Davis Photography, Mulwala Football Netball Club, Oaklands Central School and staff, Corowa Soccer Association, and TOTEM Collective for making the inaugural Youth Fest possible.
"We are definitely looking at how this went for the first year, and how we can do more events like this in the future," Max said. "It is a great experience for us and rewarding when it comes to fruition."
