riveryouthfest gets Loud!
By Adam Norris, The Bellinger Valley Herald Newspaper
The theme of Youth Week 2024 is Express, Empower, Get Loud!, and OzGREEN intends to combine all three at the inaugural riveryouthfest.
Held at the Bellingen Skatepark on Saturday April 13, riveryouthfest is designed for young people aged 11 to 24 years and features musical acts, food, workshops, games and significantly, tree planting.
Co-organiser Amy Denshire believes that by combining these activities, attendees might be encouraged to play an active role in repairing and caring for their local environment.
“Because it’s adjacent to the skate park, we thought it would be really great to do an event that fosters ownership for young people over that planting, so they can help protect it in the years ahead,” Amy said.
“We’re going to try and do 18 events over the next three years and hope to plant over 2000 trees. So, we wanted the first few events to be youth focused, to really get pride over the space happening.”
The inspiration for riveryouthfest came in part from the YOUth Speak 2023 survey commissioned by the Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire, which saw young people identify the need for more local activities, music and workshops.
By holding it at the skatepark, it is hoped that those who most frequently use the area might also act as protectors of the project.
“It takes a long time to support their growth until they’re established, and [young people] are already there on the ground every day. They are there playing basketball, skating, so if people come wanting to hurt the planting, they could be the ones who call them out.”
Organisers are calling for 25 First Nations people (all ages) to help plant the first 100 trees, and 50 young people to plant the next 200 trees to acknowledge and respect our connection to the land.
The Budaabang Bari Dance Troupe will also be performing, as will local hip hop headliner, Jayess.
“Music has been influencing, helping and inspiring me my whole life,” he said.
“Seeing how artists can channel their energy into a song and create something that everyone can enjoy listening to and even learn from it is what really pushed me to make my own music.”
While the bulk of riveryouthfest is suitable for ages 11 and up, from 3.30pm organisers note that ages 15 and up is more appropriate due to a mature themes in the music.
“We’re looking to next year already,” Amy said.
“What I’d really like is event more young people designing the [next] festival, and bringing what they’d like to see. I’m really hoping that’s something that comes out of this event.”
