Youth Week event celebrated in Dardanup with passion and connection

Young people were celebrated on Friday with a festival at the Dardanup Hall. Activities included X5 Academy Parkour, face painting, food trucks, the RAC rescue helicopter VR experience, WA Army Cadets and police, ambulance and firefighting displays. Youth Advisory Group member and organiser Chelsey North said beating loneliness and connecting with her peers had inspired her to create initiatives and organise events in the community. “It creates a spark in me, a passion,” she said. “It’s just a joy seeing everything we’ve been doing come to life, it feels incredibly vibrant and wholesome. It’s a beautiful sight to see young and old connect. It is for everybody.” YAG member Raya Noonan, 16, said there were a lot of benefits to volunteering including belonging and a sense of community. “I know my social anxiety has improved. It is very impactful on our lives,” she said. Shire of Dardanup president Tyrrell Gardiner congratulated the group on creating another successful Youth Fest. “This event underscores the remarkable dedication of our youth and community alike,” he said. “It provides a platform for young people to not only connect with one another but also to engage with emergency services and other community stakeholders. “We’re all looking forward to what next year’s event brings.”