This year’s Youth Fest in September at YO Bendigo was filled with energy as we hosted multiple workshops, all celebrating the creativity of young people and offering social opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals in the community. From terrarium building to Neon Lights drawing, and even gaming and board games during the YO Chill Day, there was so much to try-out during school holidays at YO!

One of the standout workshops was the terrarium building session, where participants learned to create their own mini ecosystems. Through this workshop young people delved into the principles of sustainability while transforming everyday materials, such as old coffee jars and recycled items, into beautiful, self-sustaining habitats. This hands-on experience not only sparked creativity but also fostered an understanding of environmental stewardship. Participants left with their own terrariums and a newfound appreciation for the delicate balance of nature, along with valuable skills they could apply in their daily lives around being greener and more environmentally conscious.

Building on the excitement of terrarium building, the Posca Portraits workshop provided another creative outlet for participants. In this vibrant session, young aspiring artists explored the expressive potential of Posca markers to create stunning, colourful portraits under the professional guidance of Wiradjuri artist Keira Long. Participants learned how to structure a portrait while gaining access to a medium that is often financially out of reach for beginner artists. Keira also shared her insights and skills, bringing along some of her renowned works for reference and inspiration.

The following week, after portrait drawing with Kiera, participants then had the opportunity to further enhance their skills in the YO Bendigo Neon Drawing workshop. This workshop was inspired by the amusement of all the UV lights and glowing experience showcased during the Bendi-Glow Youth Festival. In this workshop, participants got the chance to draw with highlighters under UV lighting, adding a neon glow effect to their masterpieces as they created them and providing a fresh and vibrant take on drawing.

Our final event of September was the YO Chill Day, which provided young people (aged 12-25) with the chance to relax at YO for an afternoon, playing video games, board games, crafting, and the opportunity to simply enjoy a space just for them to chill out in. This event is a favourite among many, as it offers a comfortable environment to ease social anxiety and foster fun in an informal setting.

Overall, September was a fantastic month at YO Bendigo, filled with opportunities for young people to engage and socialise during the school holidays in a low-cost and accessible way. We look forward to being able to offer workshops experiences for young people to enjoy, and can’t wait for 2025, with plenty of more creative workshop ideas in store.