LAST Monday the state government announced $78,000 in funding has been awarded to community organisations and local governments across the state to host events and activities during Youth Week, April 5-12.

The City of Kalamunda is one of the 36 successful applicants who will receive up to $3000 each for activities that celebrate the positive contributions made by young people in the community, with this year’s theme ‘Head, Body, Heart’.

The city will be putting the grant money towards hosting the Connecting Communities: Foothills Fiesta at the Hartfield Park Recreation Centre in Forrestfield on Thursday, April 11 – a free community event aimed at showcasing the city’s diverse community and celebrating different cultural heritages.

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said Youth Week was a vital time for the community, emphasising the significance of empowering young residents.

“Expect a morning filled with information, fun, freebies, and delicious food,’’ she said.

“Let’s come together to celebrate our youth and the strength of our community.”

State government Youth Minister Hannah Beazley said she was eager to celebrate her first Youth Week after recently being appointed to the position in early December.

“Youth Week is an important opportunity for the wider community to listen to young people and celebrate the positive contributions they make, and I encourage everyone to get along to an event in their area,” she said.

The aim of Youth Week is to provide people aged between ten and twenty-five years old with opportunities to express ideas, raise important issues, make decisions and showcase their talents and contributions.

“As the newly appointed Youth Minister, I am very much looking forward to celebrating my first Youth Week and seeing the creative events and activities developed by and for young people.”

Youth Week WA events and projects are funded through the Department of Communities, Propel Youth Arts, Lotterywest, and the WA Government’s Youth Week grants program.