Vibrant week of activities

By Tania Martin
A HOST of activities celebrating the drive and energy of the young people in the Dandenong Ranges in April ushers in National Youth Week.
The seventh annual youth week will run from Saturday, 1 to Sunday 9 April.
Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein said National Youth Week was always successful because young people were heavily involved in creating, planning and running the week’s activities.
“Last year, more than 300,000 young people were involved across Australia.
“This year’s theme is ‘Just Add You’. I encourage young people everywhere to do exactly that – get involved and celebrate the contributions young people make to their communities,” she said.
Skate boarding and BMX riding is proving to be a popular theme for the week in the neighbouring shires of Yarra Ranges and Cardinia.
In the Shire of Yarra Ranges young people will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including a young designers fashion expo, DJ workshop, comedy night, drive-in movies, girls learn to skate workshop, battle of the bands, a skate park tour and a leadlighting workshop.
Mayor Monika Keane has encouraged young people to get involved in the celebrations in their local area.
Cr Keane said National Youth Week was a wonderful opportunity for young people to get together and celebrate their achievements within the community.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has focussed several of the National Youth Week activities around skating including offering local young people a tour of all five skate parks in the shire and girls only skating lessons.
Meanwhile, in the Shire of Cardinia, the youth services team has organised the biggest skate and BMX competition to come to the shire.
Youth services coordinator Tom Kuster said the week would also include performances by young musicians from local bands such as Arpejio and Cut the Lights which will be stages between the competition heats.
Mr Kuster said young people who enjoy a challenge can take up the opportunity to take on police officers and local youth workers in a game of volleyball.
City of Knox mayor David Cooper said this year’s youth week would be vibrant and better than ever.
Many community groups have independently organised their own events, and Knox council officers have worked with other groups such as Centrelink, Salvation Army, Knox Community Health Service and the Migrant Information Centre to offer a program of free events.
Activities in Knox include a hip-hop workshop, circus skills, Latin street dancing, belly dancing, an iron chef cook-off, drum classes and jewellery making and the majority take place at the Knox Civic Centre or Boronia Progress Hall.
The program also features surf lessons on a day trip to Phillip Island on Saturday, 8 April.
Bookings for Knox youth week activities are essential so those interested should contact the youth services department on 9298 8112 from Monday to Thursday between 1pm to 5pm or visit www.knox.vic.gov.au.
For more information on the activities in the Shire of Yarra Ranges call 9294 6716 or for Cardinia Shire or to register for the skating competition call 5940 2885.