with Warren Kirby MP

Since its inception in 2000 , the NSW Youth Week Program has aimed to elevate the voices of young people in our state . Youth Week allows young people to share ideas , attend live events , showcase talents , and celebrate youth contributions to the community .

As the Member of the fastest-growing electorate in the state , I have witnessed

firsthand how poor planning decisions made years ago are affecting people now . Today ’ s youth are directly impacted by how decisions are made – maybe not in the short run , but most definitely in the future . The only way to plan for the future is to ensure the voices of our youth are heard today .

This year ’ s Youth Week theme is Express . Empower . Get Loud ! – reflective of the need to raise the voices of young people ,

giving them the opportunity to be heard in meaningful discussions and for our youth to be passionate about the causes they are pursuing . This premise led me to collaborate with the Northwest Community Services Centre ( NWCS ) team and launch the inaugural Riverstone Electorate Youth Forum .

The Youth Forum was held on 9 April at the home of NWCS Riverstone Community Centre , and students from all high schools within the Riverstone electorate were invited .

The aim of day was to give these students a platform to speak their mind and to express what issues are affecting them .

NWCS youth specialists led interactive group sessions for students – prompted by questions – students used artistic expression to display their concerns , goals and hopes .

I want to thank Vanessa Sokalik from NWCC , who curated these sessions . She ensured the sessions were student-led and fostered an inclusive and safe environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their own thoughts .

We ’ re still analysing all the data , but through creative activities and open discussions , valuable insights emerged . Students prioritised authentic social connections , a healthier environment , building a more harmonious community , and tackling the affordability crisis .

I really enjoyed witnessing the gradual discussions for the day ; as the students got more and more involved in the activities , they started opening up and expressing themselves , each voice unique but each voice as important as the next .

The undisputed highlight of the day was the African drumming session . Led by a soul drummer , a skilled instructor , each student received their own drum , becoming a contributor to a vibrant percussive tapestry . Through teamwork , the initial cacophony of individual beats transformed into a unified , powerful rhythm . The students weren ’ t just getting loud ; they were creating a collective youth voice , proving its potential to inspire change .

An evaluation rating of the day , by our participants rated 4.5 stars out of 5 stars , with the key highlights being the young people were activities , the food and the interactions with other schools .

The Youth Forum is just the start of a bigger journey of empowerment . Our youth are our future , and they need to invest in it .

The first step in this investment for our future is to give our youth a platform and listen to their voices ; only then can we achieve the best way forward for our great state .

I look forward to sharing more of their journey .