Youth-focused organisations in Eden and surrounds are to be commended for a wonderful program of school holiday events.
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Around 80 youngsters had a blast at last week’s colour run organised by Campbell Page – see our photos from the event at edenmagnet.com.au and a selection on page 16 today.
This was in addition to snorkelling and rock pool rambles with the Marine Discovery Centre, storytime and craft at the local shire library, and a learn to skateboard afternoon scheduled for Thursday after hugely popular sessions at Bega, Tathra and Pambula this week.
Aside from giving local children plenty with which to occupy themselves during two weeks off school, no doubt it also helped parents avoid potential cabin fever from two weeks at home.
The combination of Youth Week activities delivered through the Bega Valley Shire Council and other organisations, with school holiday events appeared to be received well by all who attended.
The array of activities on offer also came as Eden’s youth organisations celebrated a well-deserved influx of funding thanks to the Eden Futures Program.
The program is a partnership between the NSW Department of Family and Community Services and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal created to support innovative and community-led responses to issues identified in our town.
Last week, it was announced $270,000 would be shared between several local services – including Campbell Page and the Marine Discovery Centre (hosts of several school holiday activities) as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Community Access Centre and Twofold Aboriginal Corp.
Kudos is owed to all these groups – and much thanks to the Eden Futures Program for its acknowledgement of how vital they are. The education, safety and development of our region’s youth is paramount for a vibrant future in Eden and the wide variety of activities held in the past two weeks is testament to the value placed on their happiness and inclusion.
Also worthy of note is the Reaching Out Foundation’s purchase of a caravan to provide a little added shelter for our region’s young homeless (see story on page 9).
Demonstrating the significant issue we have in Eden, there were already two young people ready to move in as soon as the caravan was donated to SEWACS last week.