Two separate groups of young people from Nambucca Heads High School and the Ready Set Go youth music program based in Macksville, with the support of various community partners, came together to dream up, produce and deliver two successful events showcasing the depth of local youth music talent.

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The Turn It Up! Nambucca youth music event at the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre and the Rhythm and Tones Youth Festival at Macksville Ex Services Club both drew about 100 attendees.

The all-ages crowds experienced the diverse rock and indie sounds of three of the Nambucca Valley’s most prolific young bands – Blind Pretty, Rhethorical? and Atlas Blue – along with an incredible array of other youth musicians taking to the stage.

“It’s just so exciting the amount of incredible talent of young musicians emerging here in the Nambucca Valley at this moment,” Andrew Davis, Community Impact Coordinator for the Nambucca Valley Becoming U program told News Of The Area.

“There is such a strong and well supported youth musical movement growing in the Mid North Coast right now thanks to supportive creative development programs on offer to local youth, including the Certificate Four in Entertainment Industry at Nambucca Heads High School and the Ready Set Go youth music mentoring program at The Music Station in Macksville.”

Apart from the onstage entertainment, local young people were also developing and delivering these events as well, further enhancing their music industry and event management skills and experience.

Another key ingredient in both events were the fun and creative hands-on participation elements including a drumming workshop facilitated by local artist Kaya Boom and visual arts activities facilitated by local Indigenous artist Jess Sinnott.

The events were made possible through NSW Government Office for Regional Youth’s Holiday Break grant funding, of which Uniting’s Nambucca Valley-based Becoming U project was a grateful recipient.

These events were supported by other local organisations passionate about positive outcomes and pathways for Nambucca Valley youth including Becoming U, Nambucca Youthie, Nambucca Heads High School, Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, Arts Mid North Coast, Ready Set Go youth music program, Nambucca Valley Creative Youth Council and Macksville Ex Services Club, with added Youth Week funding support from Nambucca Valley Council and Blue Sky Community Services.

By Mick BIRTLES