In her work at the Byron Youth Service (BYS), youth worker, Deb Pearse, began to notice that many young people are really concerned about the plight of the environment and its wildlife.
The Young and Wild project
Ms Pearse told The Echo the girls groups at the BYS Cottage in Mullumbimby started having conversations, and began a process of creating images; and the Young and Wild project began.
‘Each participant picked a wild creature that they were interested in, and we began drawing each week,’ Ms Pearse says. ‘I was amazed to see the work the girls did, and when I showed my manager, Christian Tancred, and other people, they were amazed too’.
Global Ripple
‘The next step was working out how to get the images seen in the community, and after a meeting with Jacqui from Global Ripple, she agreed to place two large murals at the shop, one inside and one outside.’
There have been about 40 girls involved in the whole process, and nine who have spent part of their holidays painting the murals using the images made by all of the girls as reference, with artist Dale Shaddick being instrumental in that process.
‘Hopefully, BYS can access some more funding to do a social media campaign, posters and another mural at Mullumbimby High to further the Young and Wild project’.
Funding needed
Funding for the current two murals was provided by the Regional Youth NSW school holiday program and Global Ripple. To assist with funds, contact Deb on 0409 170 062.
