The Palmerston Youth Centre (PYC) marked its 5th birthday with a big community celebration, and it just so happened to fall on the birthday of one of the Centre’s most loved staff members, Aunty/Nanna Christine, making it a double celebration for the books.
The day was packed with fun. Slushy machines, photobooth action, freestyling’ on the mic, face painting with Fairy Jill, the Monsterball dunk tank that stayed busy all day, and a bucking bull with a top time of 86 seconds.
We also launched a new mural and logo, co-designed by local artist B4mble, with staff proudly wearing brand-new PYC shirts.
To mark the special occasion, Centre Manager Jonathon McDonald spoke about the challenges and strength of today’s youth.
“The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week: Strength, Legacy and Vision, are things that are not just important to Indigenous people, but to young people and to community.”
“This generation of young people that are coming through the Centre have faced some very unique challenges to their generation: the COVID pandemic, lockdowns and social isolation” he said.
“The strength it would’ve taken for young people to keep coming back and engaging with services such as the Y, the courage it took to return to these spaces after a period of not being able to see friends and build relationships.”
Aunty/Nanna Christine – who has been with the for over seven years and a grounding presence for many, shared her reflections too “I was here when the doors opened.”
We were proud to welcome Youth Minister Jinson Charls, City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell, Amanda Stevenson from Regional Youth Services, and most importantly our young people and their families.
Five years in, the PYC continues to stand strong as a place made for young people and made stronger by the community that shows up for them.