By Jude Timms
Hornsby Shire Council is calling on high schools in the Shire to submit a short Youth Week themed essay for the chance to win free ice cream for their school.
The ‘It’s Up to YOUth: Ice Cream Social” competition is part of a program of ‘cool’ free events marking National Youth Week 2022. Running from 30 March – 12 April across Hornsby Shire, other great events include social media workshops and a special youth edition of the successful Alone, Together photography exhibition.
Established in 1989, National Youth Week is an opportunity for people aged 12 – 24 to come to together and celebrate, share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard, showcase their talents and celebrate their contribution to the community.
To be in the running to win an ice cream feast from Retro Birdie, schools need to submit a 100-word essay on the 2022 theme ‘It’s Up to YOUth’ by 4 April.
Young people are invited to attend social media workshops presented by Media for Millennials on Wednesday 6 April from 4pm-6pm and Tuesday 12 April from 12pm-2pm at Hornsby Library. These engaging courses will teach students how to use social media as a business tool. Free pizza and drinks are included. Bookings are essential as places are limited and filling up fast.
The Alone, Together Youth Photography Exhibition from 30 March – 10 April at the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre is another chance to experience the winning entries of the 2021 competition showcasing ordinary people’s shared experience of the COVID pandemic.
This special youth version reflects the mood of the young people of Hornsby Shire during this time including Aayush Chitnis, whose photo The faces of quarantine won the Youth category. The exhibition will be shown along with the Young Artist Exhibition presented by Hornsby Arts Society. A special opening event will take place on 1 April at 6pm.
“Hornsby Council is proud to once again partner with the NSW Government to present an exciting and engaging program of events for Youth Week, celebrating our young people and their achievements,” said Hornsby Shire Mayor Phillip Ruddock AO.
“We thank the Department of Communities and Justice for their grant of $5200 which Council has matched. 2021 was a particularly challenging year for young people and we are excited to provide them with the opportunity to come together to reflect on shared experiences, celebrate their potential, learn new skills and most importantly have fun.”
Council’s annual drug and alcohol-free Youth Week events are part a suite of initiatives to support and empower young people, which also includes the Mayor’s Youth Trust Fund, the Hornsby/ Kuring-gai Youth Network, skate parks, sports facilities, events and performances.
For information about Youth Week events and bookings visit www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/youthweek2022.
For more information about Council’s Youth programs visit Youth | Hornsby Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)
