YOUNG residents are urged to stretch their limits with a raft of activities starting today for Youth Week 2019.
A celebration of the achievements, vitality and strength of the region’s 12 to 25 year olds, there is something for all interests in the packed 12-day program (3 April to 14 April).
Launched at this week’s Youth Services Managers Network, the program offers everything from skateboarding and bouldering, coding and stop motion animations, to poetry and Harry Potter.
Mayor Bob Manning said this year’s theme, ‘Unlimited’, highlights that the region’s youth are bound only by their own imagination and enthusiasm.
“There is an amazing and varied line-up of activities that will challenge your young people to stretch their limits by learning new skills, improving their health and contributing to their community,” Cr Manning said.
“While the spotlight falls on youth this time each year, it’s important that we celebrate the achievement, goals and aspirations of the next generation of leaders, and how they will shape the future of our city and region, year round.”
Each year, Council partners with local organisations to bring free activities that promote inclusiveness, active lifestyle and the importance of ‘simply enjoying your youth’.
Councillor Cathy Zeiger urged young people to use Youth Week activities to challenge themselves.
“Confidence, or a lack of it, often hampers young people as they transition from childhood to face the challenges of their teens and early adult life.
“This is the perfect opportunity to reach outside your comfort zone and try something new, in a safe and non-judgement environment.”
Council-run activities across the city, include the Youth Urban Art Exhibition, creative writing sessions, improv classes and animation at libraries branches; and skateboarding workshops (including a free bbq), bouldering and beach volleyball at the Esplanade.
Local organisations are also hosting a variety of events.
Headspace Cairns, which provides mental health services for youth, is hosting the Tobruk Pool Party – a chance for young people to enjoy the facilities at Tobruk for free, while having the opportunity to mingle with the Headspace community.
At Todd Park, Bentley Park, the team from PCYC are hosting a 3 x 3 Street Hustle Basketball and Community Day.
And YEP is hosting the Big Fish Young Innovators Weekend at CQ University on the last weekend of Youth Week.
Events on the Youth Week program are mostly free but some require bookings due to limited numbers.
Full program below or at cairns.qld.gov.au/youth:
3-15 April
- Youth Urban Art Exhibition, Manunda Library, during library open hours
4 April
- Active Living Skateboarding, Cairns Esplanade, 5pm to 6pm
8 April
- Active Living Bouldering, Cairns Esplanade, 5pm to 6pm
- Poetry Boom! Write up a storm with The Young Company, Manunda Library, 10am to 11.30am
9 April
- Active Living Beach Volleyball, Cairns Esplanade, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
10 April
- Stop Motion Animation Workshop, Manunda Library, 9.30am to 12.30pm
11 April
- 3 x 3 Street Hustle Basketball & Community Day, Todd Park, 1pm to 4pm
- Active Living Skateboarding, Cairns Esplanade, 5pm to 6pm
12 April
- Tobruk Pool Party, Tobruk Memorial Pool, 1pm to 5pm
- Cairns PCYC Robotics and Brick Construction Community Show and Tell, Macnamara Street, Manunda,10am to noon
- Potter & Pizza Quiz-itch, at City Library, 5pm to 6.30pm
- ImproMANIA: Unlimited Improv Experience, City Library, 10am to 11.30am
12-14 April
- Big Fish Young Innovators Weekend
