New youth space open

DOZENS gathered at Bannockburn’s recreation centre to officially launch the new Golden Plains Youth Hub.

Located next to Bannockburn YMCA, the building will serve as an inclusive space for youth in the Shire aged 12 to 15.

At an overall cost of $562,000, Golden Plains mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the hub has been a long time coming after the combined efforts of everyone involved.

“The idea of a dedicated youth hub at Golden Plains Shire is a long-held goal, and it’s an exciting day to realise that dream,” he said.

“The project to relocate a portable council office building and transform it into an accessible and inclusive dedicated youth hub was ambitious to say the least.

“We can see that this vision has been truly achieved.”

The youth hub comes with over $271,000 from the State Government, $100,00 from the Federal Government alongside $100,000 from Bannockburn and District Grants and over $90,000 from the Shire.

After several come and try sessions held last month, the hub will now hold regular activities, and serve as a meeting space for the Youth Activation Committee, the Pride LGBTIQA+ group, and the FReeZa Youth Events Crew.

The facility holds a range of equipment and spaces and team leader of youth development at Golden Plains Shire, Sean Euston, said the hub will provide a place to nurture kids in every area of their development.

“We’re aiming to be super inclusive and build resilience and promote health and wellbeing, whether you’re here for events or you’re coming from the skatepark or you’re here for whatever,” he said.

“If you have people that are into tech, we can do that. If you have people that want art, we can do that. We’re wanting to engage with our whole community.”

Golden Plains Youth Hub has been running for several weeks and local Jayden Scheier has been spreading the word about the place nonstop.

“There’s always that social aspect, there’s always something to learn, there’s always something fun to do, there’s always new people to meet,” he said.

“It’s something I can’t put into words sometimes. People ask me over at school what’s the youth hub like, and I’m like just come and see it and you’ll see how great it is.

“There’s so much leadership going on that they’ll be able to pass on. This is something that the Golden Plains or Bannockburn hasn’t really had before so it’s really good that it’s here now.”