Showcasing community, culture and creativity in Gippsland
Two community events last month gave our Regional Presence Project team in Gippsland an exciting opportunity to connect with young people in a relaxed and fun environment.
On 16 July, the United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley held a belated Eid festival at the Gippsland Heritage Park. With a focus on culture and inclusion, the festival saw many families coming together to engage with CMY and other service providers.
The festival featured a smoking ceremony, speeches from community leaders and several stalls to promote their local services and run different activities. With over 600 community members participating, the event was a tremendous success in bringing services and the community together to celebrate culture inclusion and diversity.
Sponsored by Latrobe Community Health Services, the festival boasted multiple rides, an animal farm, henna and face paint stalls, popcorn, fairy floss and more.
Rebecca Bursell, a Multicultural Youth Worker at CMY in Gippsland, said that the Eid festival was such a special day for community members.
“The sun was out, the atmosphere was great and the sense of community and connectedness was beautiful to see,” she said. “Everyone was so appreciative that that they could come together and share stories with each other.”
The following week, Rebecca and Gippsland Team Leader Julia Rovery attended an annual Jobs & Skills Expo at Lardner Park in Warrugal on 25 July to talk to local students about youth work and the role CMY Gippsland has in the local community.
Organised by the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network, the Expo brought together hundreds of students from many different secondary schools in Gippsland and a number of local organisations, service providers and companies to provide insights into the different professions, industries and skills within the region.
The event gave young people the opportunity to seek advice and gain practical information about the various opportunities and possible career pathways available to them.
The exhibitors were able to get creative to make their respective stalls fun and interactive for the students in attendance. The CMY team set up a positivity wall that encouraged students to write and share inspiring messages on sticky notes.
“It was clear that the Expo sparked inspiration and excitement amongst both the students and stallholders in attendance,” said Rebecca. “Our young people had lots of fun and learnt new things throughout the event, and our positivity wall was a huge success!”
CMY’s Regional Presence Project supports young people in rural and regional areas to settle well and feel connected to their local community by strengthening participation in school, work, family and community.
Find out more about our work in the Gippsland region or get in touch: https://www.cmy.net.au/gippsland.