Big birthday

CARDINIA Shire Council’s mobile youth bus – or MYBus for short – celebrated its first birthday last week.
The bus has internet, games consoles, music facilities and a range of resources for local youth.
Council youth outreach officer Kelly Hicks said there had been more than 10,000 individual visits by young people to the bus since it was launched.
“Many young people have made the most of the resources and services which are available from MYBus,” she said.
“Young people have been able to develop new friendships and be made aware of the services, programs and events which are available locally.”
The bus regularly visits more than 15 different townships in the shire, which has ensured that there is equity for young people in Cardinia shire’s rural townships. MYBus has also attended more than 10 community events in its first year of operation, including the Pakenham Show and Australia Day celebrations.
Cardinia Shire Council bought the bus and had it fitted out for operation in early 2009, at a cost of $250,000.