Empowering Young Voices During Youth Week 2025 in Uralla Shire
Published on 21 May 2025
Uralla Shire Council has just wrapped up its biggest and best Youth Week program ever! Delivered across two months, from April to May, the program was a celebration of our young people, made possible through co-investment from the NSW Government and Uralla Shire Council. In total, we delivered 13 youth-focused events bringing together hundreds of young people across the Shire.
The program opened with our annual Mayor’s Youth Forum – with Mayor Bell, councillors and council staff visiting every school across Uralla Shire. These visits were an opportunity for students to share their perspectives and discuss issues of importance to them – ensuring their voices are heard directly by local leaders.
Mayor Robert Bell said “Through meetings with each school, we have encouraged our students, as future leaders, to think about the community they want to be a part of."
A highlight of the program was Our Renewable Energy Future at the Uralla Court House. This event was designed by student participants in our 2024 Youth Week program, providing an introduction to major renewable energy developments taking place in Uralla Shire and its implications for our region. The presentation was a chance for young people to ask questions and consider future career pathways in the sector.
The program culminated with a series of surprise Pop-up Dance Parties hosted in every Uralla Shire school, featuring local legend DJ Drummer Guy. These high-energy events were a new way to help bring joy into our students’ days and to thank them for participating in Youth Week 2025.
Mayor Bell noted, “Our final Youth Week event was a celebration of our young people! The Pop-up Dance Parties were a great success, bringing extra excitement to students’ days. It was important to us that we delivered a dance part in every one of our local schools, including those in the farthest reaches of Uralla Shire, providing a positive experience for all our young people so they feel they are an important part of our community.”