Byron Youth Activity Centre has been nominated in the NSW Crown Lands Crown Reserve Trust Award Category for the 2012 NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Awards.
This annual awards program provides an opportunity for communities to showcase their commitment to their community and be recognised statewide.
As corporate managers for the Byron Youth Activity Centre, Byron Youth Services have worked with the local community to enhance and develop a safe, drug- and alcohol-free reserve for use by young people and families within the local community. Byron Bay Youth Services have created a centre with landscaped outdoor areas, a sustainable food garden and set up water re-use projects that have allowed the reserve to become an education social hub for the local community.
Recently the centre has raised over $43,000 to build a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, allowing the running of two hospitality courses with 10 students from TAFE Wollongbar.
Through partnerships with local businesses including the Byron Region Community College and local schools, the youth centre has been able to provide training initiatives and opportunities to young people – initiatives that would cease to exist without the help of the Byron Youth Services. With more than 92 volunteers and paid staff, Byron Youth Services hope that they can continue to grow the Youth Activity Centre and improve the lives of the youth of the area in a safe and beautiful reserve environment.
Nominations close on 27 August – contact the awards office on 1300 735 445 or visit the website at www.awardsaustralia.com. Winners will be announced on 27 October.
