The City of Melville Youth Advisory Council (YAC), in conjunction with the City’s Youth Consultation Project research team, are taking the opportunity to try a more grass-roots, community approach by offering a series of YAC It Up alternative events throughout 2009.  

YAC It Up will trial moving away from the traditional one-off outdoor concert at Point Walter to offer a range of events based around the arts, skate, BMX, sporting activities and music. Some of the events will include a youth art exhibition at the Heathcote Gallery and a music event planned to be held in the Civic Centre precinct next to Garden City.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the aim of running a number of smaller, neighbourhood based events and programs over a longer period of time was to try to target a much broader range of young people with diverse interests. “With each activity running in a different location throughout the City, we believe it will provide better accessibility for young people,” he said.

Another exciting aspect to 2009 is that the YAC will be offering a YAC It Up Neighbourhood Fund which will give community groups interested in running youth events the opportunity to apply for funding to run YAC It Up approved events on behalf of the Melville YAC. 

Community Development Officer – Youth, Jo McKay said the fund would provide community groups an opportunity to get in touch with local youth. “The fund will support a range of programs; anything from skate or BMX competitions to sporting events or youth career programs,” she said. “The funding will be open for applications in the next few months and will be advertised through various local media.”  

For more information on the YAC It Up alternative events for 2009, the Neighbourhood Fund or any other youth programs at the City of Melville contact Ms McKay on 9364 0669 or email jo.mckay@melville.wa.gov.au.