The ‘Youthie’ turns 30!

Kiama Council’s Youth Services opened in Hindmarsh Park Heritage Cottages back in 1993 to meet the needs of young people aged 12-25 in the Kiama Municipality.

We spoke to our current Youth Services Coordinator Steven McAllan about all things SENTRAL, as well as a spot of historical info on some of the highs and lows experienced over three decades of youth work.

How long have you worked at Kiama Council?

I have been here for nearly six months. Previously I was working and living in the Northern Territory in a remote community called Borroloola for three years.

What drew you to youth services?

I have a passion for helping young people and supporting them in a positive way. The role at Kiama was a great opportunity to be part of a great youth service in a beautiful area.

What’s a typical work day?

Organising future activities for young people, engaging with stakeholders, and replying to emails. Our Drop-In days (currently Thursday and Friday afternoons at SENTRAL in Hindmarsh Park) are my favourite to work because I can chat with young people and play pool.

What’s most enjoyable about your job?

Connecting with young people for sure.

What are some of the challenges?

Challenges for me are learning opportunities. Would love to learn how to switch off when I leave work!

Tell us about SENTRAL’s 30th anniversary?

Our SENTRAL team has spent three decades providing local youngsters with a safe place to meet up, make friends, play pool, basketball and ‘chill out’.

At the same time, a fantastic succession of youth workers has also been helping these young people gain life skills to help them reach their potential.

For our anniversary celebrations, we are running an afternoon tea at SENTRAL. We’re hoping to see lots of once-were-youths who attended the service and we’re also inviting back any ex-staff who helped shape the young people of Kiama back in those days.

What do the letters SENTRAL stand for? Seek. Education. Networking. Training. Resilience. Advocacy. Life skills.

Give us a history lesson?

We’ve hosted some fantastic and awardwinning programs and events over the years, such as the ‘Blowout’ concerts from 1997-99 which attracted more than 10,000 attendees per concert.

We’ve also provided regular Youth Week activities, live music, camps, intergenerational food events, the Create to Connect arts program, a Rainbow Run for all ages at Werri Beach, Kiama Youth Markets, and workshops on various topics from podcasting to music production to coffee making.

A stand-out achievement has been the establishment and evolution of the annual Youth Engagement Meeting, where Kiama’s Councillors come together with local primary and secondary students to discuss key issues facing young people.

Another was the leadership shown by SENTRAL Youth Services during COVID-19 and the significant impact it had on our young people.

What else are you excited about?

We just got funding approval for an overnight youth camp to Kangaroo Valley from 17-18 April – any locals who would like more info, please get in touch with me via SentralTeam@Kiama.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4233 1276. www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/SENTRAL www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Events/Events-SENTRAL/ Youth-Week-2023 https://library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Events/Youth-events

This year’s Youth Week theme is ‘Connect. Participate. Celebrate’. We particularly like the last one because we’re celebrating SENTRAL’s 30th anniversary! (see main story, left). SENTRAL has a bumper crop of events for our 12-25 year-olds for Youth Week 2023, including a trapeze workshop, disco and movie nights, markets and a basketball comp.

Meanwhile Kiama Library has a Moonrise Cinema, workshops on stop-motion animation, weaving and twining, plus a talk about the Sámi people of Finnmark.

Kiama Council’s Easter School Holiday Activities

Have your say on tourism

Kiama Council is encouraging residents and business owners to have their say on the work of our local tourism body, Destination Kiama.

The survey will help

Destination Kiama determine priorities and allocate effort and resources.

“While there are always limits to what we can do in terms of the resources we have, knowing what our priorities are enables us to seize funding and other opportunities when they present themselves.” said Cr Matt Brown, Chair of Destination Kiama.

The online survey takes less than five minutes, and you can get a souvenir Kiama Touring Map for taking part: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/tourism-survey

Easter & Anzac Day closures

Several of Council’s facilities will be closed or have different operating hours over the Easter break and Anzac Day. Details at: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/ News/Easter-and-Anzac-Day-closures

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