Cessnock City Council’s Youth Week program was recognised when it received an award at the NSW Local Government Week Awards at Parliament House on Thursday.
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Cessnock’s nomination in the ‘Council with the most innovative Youth Week program’ category came from the NSW Youth Week Young People’s Advisory Committee, following its assessment of the reports of councils’ 2014 Youth Week program.
The 2014 program in April offered 14 events that were attended by more than 1100 people.
Activities included an issues forum; pool fun night; workshops in photography, circus skills and indigenous art and dance; a schools’ culinary competition; high school Big Breakfasts; an open mic night; barista training and movie and pizza nights at the libraries, and culminated in the ever-popular Youth Fest, which featured local bands and skate, bike and scooter competitions.
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said council was very pleased to receive the award and acknowledged that it is only one of many organisations involved.
“This is a great achievement by Cessnock City Council and a wide range of partner community organisations, and very pleasing recognition for what was a highly successful program of events,” Cr. Pynsent said.
“Every year several local youth service agencies and service providers are involved in the funding, planning, organising and delivery of the Youth Week program, and some local businesses provided financial support.
“They all deserve to be recognised in contributing to the success of the 2014 program.”
This year’s participating organisations included Back on Track, Catholic Care Youth and Family Support Service, Cessnock High School, Cessnock Community and Youth Development Project, Cessnock Youth Entertainment Comm-ittee, Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets, Joblink Plus, Kurri High School, Kurri Youth Centre, Mount View High School, the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Network Hunter, the Samaritans Tenancy Participation Resource Centre, St. Philip’s Christian College and the YMCA (Kurri Aquatic Centre).
A number of individuals and organisations were engaged to deliver activities during the week including Big Air School, Uncle Les Elvin, Graffiti Dan, Jo’s Circus Skills, Newcastle Sprocket Roasters and Sarah Noble.
Council’s participation in the program was through activities delivered by Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service (CYCOS), Cessnock City Library and Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.
