From the Mayor’s Desk: Getting youth involved in community

WHEN we talk about building a great community in Port Stephens, it’s easy to focus on place plans, homes, roads, and local businesses.

These are crucial, but what makes our towns feel like a community is our public spaces. More importantly, it’s our local people who help bring them to life.

I believe in getting our young people involved in community projects. When we give kids a voice in their own neighbourhoods, we can help them build a lifelong sense of ownership, pride and connection to where they live.

We’re seeing the value of this youth involvement right now. Down at Bettles Park on Adelaide Street in Raymond Terrace, we’ve just installed a new visitor sign featuring artwork by local school children showcasing what they love about their town.

This sign is a collaboration between council, our schools, community stakeholders, and funding partners. It’s backed by the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme in partnership with Destination Port Stephens and Council. It proves that a welcome sign can also be a source of great pride when our young people are given the chance to connect, create and leave their mark.

Just down the road, youth energy has also completely transformed the old William Street fire station site into our new Community Corner. Local youth didn’t just share ideas – they rolled up their sleeves and took ownership, turning an empty block into a hub with vibrant art, plants, seating created by the local Men’s Shed, and a table-tennis table.

The opening of Community Corner marked the end of a year-long youth-led initiative, “The Place Is Yours”.

Funded by a Youth Opportunities Grant from the NSW Office for Youth, the project gave participants the chance to build new relationships and skills through cultural awareness programs, cooking, self-defence, wellbeing, street art, videography and more.

It’s also a wonderful example of how we can bring our Community Strategic Plan and Wellbeing Strategy to life to celebrate our young people and simultaneously strengthen community connection and pride.

Our community benefits when we give our young people the power to shape their own spaces in our towns.

Next time you’re out and about, I encourage you to enjoy these spaces for yourself. Grab a coffee and check out the new paintings at the Community Corner or spot the children’s artwork on the new sign at Bettles Park.

As the visitor information sign says, “It’s the people who make this place so special”.