About 30 young people gathered at Council’s Wodonga Youth Social Connect event last week to discuss ideas and opportunities for the city’s youth.
While enjoying free pizza and listening to music in the Community Studio at Hyphen – Wodonga Library Gallery, young people made new connections.
Wodonga Council Youth Officer Janet Banda labelled the event a success.
“It was a great night,” she said.
“There was karaoke and the parents were watching from outside and really getting into it.”
The event aimed to recruit young people for the FReeZA Youth Program Committee and bring young people together again after a period of disconnection during COVID.
“It was a positive environment where young people got to connect and meet new people and they were ready to join in and make new friendships,” Janet said.
“Going forward, I see that social connections are needed and young people are hungry for that connection.”
FReeZA is a Victorian Government initiative that supports young Victorians to get involved in their community by planning and running drug, alcohol and smoke-free events for other young people
All 12 positions on the youth program committee have now been filled, with the youngest member 14 years of age and the oldest member 25.
With support from Wodonga Council, the youth program committee will plan and run fun and engaging youth-focused events, including one major event, per year.
“It’s a diverse group and council looks forward to working with them and seeing how these young people can put their energy into the youth space,” Janet said.
“This program is driven by young people and they are the ones deciding what they want, council is just supporting them in this space.
Karaoke sessions, campfire talks, story nights, art and craft activities and movie nights are some of the programs and events that young people would like to see in the youth space.
The first FReeZA Youth Program Committee will be held on June 17.
Young people who would like to learn other skills can become a council volunteer by contacting our volunteer co-ordinator Tarryn Firman on (02) 6022 9335.
