Music Festival to Celebrate Bland Shire Youth Centre Anniversary
Bland Shire Council will celebrate the one-year anniversary of their Youth Centre, with the Inaugural Golden Leaves Music Festival, DJ Workshop and Hospitality Camp as part of the 2025 NSW Youth Week Celebrations.
In collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the NSW Department of Communities & Justice, Bland Shire Council is hosting a dynamic range of events focused on empowering local youth. These celebrations will showcase young talent, promote skill development, and strengthen community ties, highlighting the importance of investing in the future of Bland Shire's young people.
DJ Workshop
From 10am-12noon on Saturday 12 April, Heaps Decent, a renowned arts workshop company, will host a hands-on DJing Workshop for local youth at the Youth Centre. Participants will gain valuable skills in DJing, music production, and performance, with the chance to showcase their talents later in the evening at the Music Festival.
Golden Leaves Music Festival
On Saturday, 12 April 2025, from 5pm the inaugural Golden Leaves Music Festival will take place at McCann Park, West Wyalong. This exciting event is designed to highlight the creativity, passion, and achievements of the region's youth. The festival is aimed at fostering musical expression, skill development, and community engagement and will mark the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Bland Shire Youth Centre on 11 April 2024.
The evening will bring the festival to life with live performances by young musicians from the Bland Shire community at McCann Park. These performances will highlight local talent, alongside the DJ skills learned during the day's workshop. A professional DJ from Heaps Decent will also perform, ensuring a lively and unforgettable experience for all attendees.
In addition to the music, the festival will feature a range of exciting activities for all attendees, including festival body art and large lawn games, making it a fun and inclusive event for everyone in the community.
Bland Shire Mayor Brian Monaghan expressed his excitement for the event, saying, "The Golden Leaves Music Festival is a wonderful way to celebrate the creativity, energy, and talent of our young people. As part of NSW Youth Week, this event not only marks the anniversary of the opening of our Youth Centre but also provides a platform for youth to express themselves, build new skills, and connect with their community."
The Golden Leaves Music Festival is free to attend and is an opportunity to support local youth musicians, artists, and performers and to celebrate the next generation of creative talent.
Free 2-Day Hospitality Camp for Local Youth
In addition to the festival, the Bland Shire Youth Centre is hosting a FREE 2-Day Hospitality Camp on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop essential skills and gain valuable industry certifications in the hospitality field.
Participants will:
- Receive a Food Safety Handler Certificate
- Learn Waiter Skills
- Take part in a hands-on Barista Course
This camp is ideal for youth seeking after-school or school holiday jobs, as well as for those preparing to head to university and in need of extra income. Snacks will be provided, and all participants must bring their Unique Student Identifier (USI).
The 2-Day Hospitality Camp will be held at the Bland Shire Youth Centre and is part of the broader efforts to offer hands-on learning experiences that benefit youth employment and personal development. Scan the QR code on promotional materials to register.
This initiative is funded by the NSW Department of Communities & Justice and is a great chance to gain valuable work skills in the growing hospitality industry.
