56,000 hits in three days! Byron Bay’s One Vision Productions has just completed a powerful music video clip with indigenous students from Kingscliff High School that has gone viral.
The project was a passionate collaboration between local not-for-profit Byron Bay multi-media company, One Vision Productions and selected Indigenous students form Kingscliff High School, explained Founding Director, Mark Robertson.
‘The youth we worked with had loads of personality, they talked about their concerns with what has been going on in the world. They felt there was so many real issues not being addressed and saw the contrast between the old ways and modern times,’ he said.
‘They really tried to put their message out there. The way they have done it is really amazing. This is a platform for youth to be empowered.’
One Vision Productions opened its doors in the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate in June this year providing local kids with the opportunity to engage In DJing, street art, acting and dance workshops at the creative hub.
Free Friday fun
Get a taste of what they have to offer on Friday nights from 5–8pm where kids from seven upwards can learn to produce, DJ and enjoy other activities for free at the creative hub.
‘What we’re doing is offering young people a space where they can be inspired to create, explore their potential and be met with unlimited opportunity,’ said Mark.
‘We’ve got around 40 kids from seven up to 25 who come.’
Churchill scholarship
As a street kid himself Mark has worked with disadvantaged youth across Australia for the last ten years developing a range of programs they use to engage with young people.
Recognising his work in this area Mark received a Churchill scholarship that funded a recent seven week trip to the US to look at established arts-based educational programs and pathways designed to empower disadvantaged youth by giving them a voice. From the Bronx, Boston and New York Mark had the opportunity to look at research platforms that are some of the most successful in the world.
‘It was amazing. I got to see the potential for these types of platforms, that are very similar to what we are doing here, to engage at risk youth and see the power and impact on how it changes their lives.’
Support
One Vision Productions are currently putting the word out that they need a helping hand to continue to develop and grow the Creative Hub in Byron.
‘We are currently looking for backing from sponsors, philanthropic investment, local business and community organisations,’ said Mark.
‘At the moment the Hub is unfunded, we need support from the community to continue these projects that are literally changing the lives of vulnerable young people in our region.’
Find out more about One Vision Productions here or head down between 5 and 8pm on Fridays to 4/10 Wollongbar Street, Byron Bay Arts and Industrial Estate and see for yourself the great work the team are doing.
If you don’t have money but you do have time, you can volunteer some time. Join other volunteers who are helping the youth of this Shire find their voice. One Vision Productions accepts donations via their website and is registered with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status for tax purposes.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
