Victorian Youth Week draws closer

THE first stand-alone Victorian Youth Week is coming soon, and events in the Geelong region will be among more than 100 activities across the state.

Last week, Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos announced the successful grant recipients for Victorian Youth Week 2018, which will run from April 13-22.

The week-long celebration of young people was held annually throughout Australia (typically in March or April) under the National Youth Week banner, but now each state will hold its own uniquely named festival since the federal government stopped funding.

The successful Victorian Youth Week recipients will organise activities that engage young people and provide them with opportunities to express their ideas and be heard in their community, such as art exhibitions, musical performances, cultural celebrations and forums.

Locally, events include Creative Celebrations run by the Golden Plains Shire, the Surf Coast Shire’s Surf Coast Youth Awards and the 2018 Youth Art Show at the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood Centre.

Activities are aimed at those aged 12 to 25 and will be held in safe environments that are alcohol, drug and smoke free.

The state government is providing more than $200,000 to local community organisations, schools and councils to run over 50 activities in metropolitan Melbourne and nearly 60 grants in regional Victoria during Victorian Youth Week.

“Young Victorians are overwhelmingly doing great and contributing positively to our society – we should be celebrating and supporting them,” Ms Mikakos said.

For more information about the 2018 Victorian Youth Week, head to the website at youthcentral.vic.gov.au/vyw.