Queensland Youth Week 2024 - A celebration of youth!
Join the celebrations for Queensland Youth Week in the Gympie region from April 7 to 13. Featuring a fun-filled program of activities, Youth Week celebrates young people (aged 12-25 years) and recognises them for their talents, achievements, and contributions.
The 2024 Youth Week program highlight is the return of ‘Live & Local’ to Nelson Reserve on Sunday 14 April from 2pm-5pm. This will be a family-friendly afternoon with some of the Gympie region’s most talented young people set to take over the stage.
Live & Local promotions feature artwork by 17-year-old local digital artist, Elay Colbourn. Elay’s illustration was selected for inclusion after she was listed as a finalist in the Gympie Regional Gallery’s Hi-Artworks 2023 Exhibition. Elay said she is super excited for her artwork to be recognised.
“It’s extremely rewarding to be recognised,” Elay said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to get my work out there and I’m appreciative of that.”
Elay encouraged other young people to share their art and creativity.
“Just share your stuff out there!” she said.
“It’s important for people of all ages to express themselves, and it’s just fun, honestly. Even if you don’t think it’s great, someone out there will appreciate your work. Getting involved in a community is good because you’ll improve and explore with your fellow artists. I’d love for the local art scene of Gympie to be nurtured and grow”.
Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Glen Hartwig said celebrating the region’s youth and young people is important.
“Our young people inspire the road forward. It’s really important that we celebrate their achievements and contributions,” Mayor Hartwig said.
“Live & Local on April 14 will be a great opportunity to recognise the Gympie region’s young people, with live music and markets in the park. Bring a blanket, chair, your friends and family, and show your support at this fantastic free community event.”
The stage will be set in Nelson Reserve on Sunday 14 April to kick off at 2pm with live and local bands, including 2023 Gympie Battle of the Band winners Hugo and the Hive, and Trillions, alongside special guests Wave Raiders. Check out market stalls on the day, run by young entrepreneurs showcasing their ideas and wares, and bring a picnic, blanket, friends, and family, to show your support.
The Youth Week program also features free skateboarding workshops with professional coaches during May and June. Workshops will be held at various locations across the region, including Imbil, Cooloola Cove, Goomeri and Gympie. Experience demos, giveaways, music, BBQ’s and more!
Check out the full program of events happening across the Gympie region for youth, during Queensland Youth Week and beyond. Go to: gympie.qld.gov.au/youth
The Live & Local event is supported through assistance provided by the jointly funded Commonwealth State-Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).