Event series marks youth week

Bunbury's young leaders have helped organise events and activities for the city’s youth in a bid to not only celebrate them but also get them more involved in the community.

Bunbury teenagers Jack Manoni and Nikeisha Cain are part of the City of Bunbury Youth Advisory Council. Along with other South West organisations they have helped organise events and activities across the region to celebrate National Youth Week.

The events get under way in Bunbury today and run until Sunday, April 13.

The theme for this year is “journeys” and youth from around the region are being encouraged to take part in and enjoy the activities and events being held.

Nikeisha, 19, believed the Youth Week celebrations would cater for youth of all ages.

Some of the Youth Week celebrations would include live music, art exhibitions, body art, a dance party, skateboarding sessions and competitions, water slides, health and wellness-related events, a style workshop, dance performances, free food, a Youth Market and more.

The markets will take place on April 12 from 3pm at Bill Brown and Co and Victoria Street where local youth will set up stalls and sell their wares. The road between Symmons and Wellington streets would be closed to traffic during the event.

“Come along and experience what the youth themselves have provided for the whole youth of Bunbury, ” Nikeisha said.

“We’re trying to broaden our events for different age groups, ” she said.

Nikeisha was particularly looking forward to the Health and Wellness Workshop on April 9, which she had helped organise.

Nikeisha, who had an interest in health and wellness, said today’s youth often ate a lot of takeaways and junk food and the workshop would look at the benefits of eating well and having a healthy lifestyle.

She hoped the Youth Week celebrations would be a success and would prompt more interest from youth to get involved with the Youth Advisory Council.

Jack hoped Youth Week celebrations would encourage more youth to take part in community events.