High Schoolers Haven - Youth Engagement Events

Can you believe there was 80 attendees!

The November event exceeded all of our expectations, and we are so thankful for all attendees who made an appearance.

Hosted at Goonellabah Skatepark, there was a Beginners Skate Lesson from local coach Isaac of Truckstop Sk8 and back by popular demand, the Graffiti Art Workshop thanks to Social Futures where attendees could leave their mark on the park.

The biggest highlight, a partnership with Creative Peoples Collective, where three young people (aged 15 - 21) showcased their musical talent for a solid 3 hours! Opportunities were also given to attendees to participate, to much admiration and giggles from the crowd. The Collaborative Canvas was a huge hit, facilitated by a 17 year old Creative Peoples Collective artist.

It was wonderful to welcome an older base of attendees this time, local young people aged 15-17. Big thanks to the group of young men who helped polish off the fresh fruit juice ice blocks supplied by Rotary Lismore Networking (the record was 13 eaten by one person).

Our Pop-Up Opshop at this event was set up and facilitated by a group of young women who have attended almost every event of the series. Thanks to ACYP for being on hand to assist.

Thanks to REDInc and Social Futures who co-ordinated our catering of afternoon snacks and pizza dinner from Smashed Avo, Dominoes Goonellabah and Coles Goonellabah.

The energy was high, and the event successful. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome for the final event of the pilot series.

From here, Lismore City Council will continue to discuss handover of the High Schoolers Haven program to an interested local based youth organisation. These discussions occur through the Lismore Youth Network, held monthly. If you are interested in supporting this program, would like to be kept up to date, or have a connection to see this program continue - please get in touch by emailing council@lismore.nsw.gov.au and connect with the Stakeholder Engagement team.

A huge thank you for all the support at the October High Schoolers Haven, Friday 4 October.

There were 30+ attendees at the event, which spanned across GSAC and the Goonellabah Skatepark.

Considering it was Friday of the long weekend, school holidays and the Koori Knockout, it was wonderful to see some familiar faces return and new attendees.

Thanks to the great ideas from young people, we used the skatepark with a beginners skate lesson from local coach Isaac through Truckstop Sk8. Social Futures provided a Graffitti Art Workshop to give young people an opportunity to leave their mark on their community facilities and to keep everyone cool we had snow cones on offer.

Inside GSAC, thanks to the amazing climate focused SpeakUp! Debate Workshop held in September facilitated by Blue Hills College student, Fareeha, Council's Strategic Planning team continued with a Youth Climate Action Planting activity, where you could take home your very own seedling. Resilient Kids also provided a fun and engaging obstacle course, with a focus on recovery activities.

On popular demand, we saw the return of the Pop-Up OpShop with free items (thanks to Vinnies Goonellabah), Library Chill Zone and art workshops from Rekindling The Spirit. Shout out to all the staff from ACYP, Resilient Kids, REDInc, Family Support Network, Magpie Centre and GSAC/Lismore City Council for being there to play sports, listen and engage.

As always, pizza for dinner and array of afternoon snacks thanks to funding from Social Futures was a huge hit! We've really appreciated the fresh produce from Smashed Avo, hot pizzas from Dominoes Goonellabah and snacks from Coles/Woolworths Goonellabah.

The lower numbers this month meant staff had more time and the opportunity to really connect with attendees. Especially now that we have gotten to know each other over a few months. We have loved your suggestions, feedback and look forward to putting some ideas into place for the final November event. (Yes we heard you loud and clear - we will definitely have ice blocks!)

See you all at Goonellabah Skatepark for High Schoolers Haven on Friday, 1 November.

The September session of High Schoolers Haven was a show of continued success, welcoming 45+ attendees and supported by a number of local organisations.

A highlight of the event was the Speak Up! debate workshop facilitated by Blue Hills College student, Fareeha. The workshop featured activities to promote critical thinking, creative discussion and build public speaking skills. Partnering with Council’s Climate Conversations engagement, to inform the development of the Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Left to right: Sarah Sullivan, Head of Customer Experience, Lismore City Council, Jon Gibbons, General Manager, Lismore City Council, Fareeha, Blue Hills College Student and Speak Up! Debate Workshop facilitator, Rebecca Sproule, Senior Stakeholder and Communications Officer and High Schoolers Haven Co-ordinator, Lismore City Council‘I really enjoyed running the workshop and connecting with others. My school doesn’t have a debate team, but it’s something I want to do, so I’d be happy to run a workshop here at these events again.’ - Fareeha, student and Speak Up! Debate Workshop facilitator.

Attendees also enjoyed Art with Rekindling, Library Chill Zone from RTRL, Pop-Up Opshop (thanks to Vinnies Goonellabah) and sports activities. Afternoon snacks, pizza dinner was also provided, with funding from Social Futures and Officer for Regional Youth, and local businesses Smashed Avo, Dominoes Goonellabah and Coles/Woolworths Goonellabah.

Richmond District Police Officer playing indoor soccer with attendees

The next event is scheduled for Friday, 4 October. After popular demand and the weather warming up, High Schoolers Haven will be hosted across GSAC and the Goonellabah Skatepark.