A new group is emerging in the Meander Valley dedicated to including young people in community participation, events, arts and culture.

The Youth Arts Alliance Meander Valley, shortened to YAA, recently bought to Deloraine a day of Music, Movement, Performance and Workshops on Friday 22 July in an all inclusive event run by, and designed for young people.

The daytime event ‘Mix it Up’ was an all age session with Djembe Drumming, Table Tennis, Supersillyus Circus activities and a Looping/Sound workshops with Benjamin Hayward Segal.

Entertainment on stage was offered in the Little Theatre by local dance sensations – Tech Steps Irish Dancers then with music from Taylor & Co and Ross Clippingdale.

A beautiful BBQ lunch was provided by Lions Deloraine with the support of JBS Longford.

Young people also enjoyed making slushies with Joe from the Royal Flying Doctors Service on their purpose made pedal power smoothy bike.

The session was well received with over 100 participants from all throughout our community.

The evening session was a show case of local young musicians who have all been supported in various ways by the Deloraine Community Band.

The event, themed ‘Teen Spirit’ consisted of almost three hours of the sounds of various musical ensembles and amazing vocals with bands, groups and singers from the Meander Valley area.

Deloraine Development Band commenced the evening with a few beautiful numbers followed by Charlotte and Cecilia Wickham and Becky Walters who have been performing in various line-ups since Primary School.

‘Taylor and Co’ were next with more of their splendid repertoire.

The “Deltime Killers’’ a local Deloraine High School line up rocked the stage, followed by the dynamic ‘Man Down’.

The audience was then treated to the awesome sounds of ‘The Stingrays’.

It really was a pleasure to see and hear such a talented line up of amazing young people.

The Bush Inn, Deloraine Town Café and Woolworths Deloraine provided sponsorship, so the crowd was able to enjoy pizza and savouries for dinner.

The event was proudly supported by various community groups who deserve sincere Thanks to: Deloraine Community and Development Band, The Den (Delgunyah), Westbury Health Advisory Committee, Inclusion Table Tennis (Deloraine Table Tennis League), Lions Club Deloraine, Meander Valley Council, SupersillyUs Circus and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

YAA is looking forward to inspiring and empowering young Meander Valley residents and hosting more youth events in the near future.

YAA is also looking for young people to join in – they can be contacted by messaging the Facebook page YAA- Youth Arts Alliance Meander Valley or by emailing yaa.meandervalley@gmail.com