Uralla's Youth Week activities began with a morning tea with the Mayor and council officials at the Uralla Shire Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 10.
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Mayor Michael Pearce welcomed the students, and introduced them to Cr Isabel Strutt, Cr Tom O'Connor and general manager Andrew Hopkins.
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He noted the ideas put forward by students at the same event in 2018 and drew attention to council's completed and upcoming projects for youth around the shire this year which included:
- Shaded playground equipment installed at Uralla Sporting Complex and multiple parks.
- Exercise equipment installed in Hampden Park and a half size basketball court also being installed there soon.
- Swimming Pool upgrades were planned for 2019/20, including new picnic shelters, a shaded barbecue area and the renewal of the pool floor.
- Bundarra will receive a shade sail at the park and seating at the Nature Reserve.
- Invergowrie, Kingstown and Kentucky will have shade structures and soft fall at their parks. Invergowrie will also have play equipment and a walking track.
- Kentucky will have play equipment, fencing and lighting at their park.
A rapid fire Q A session with students from Uralla and Bundarra Central Schools, St Joseph's Primary School and a resident who is a student at O'Connor Catholic College in Armidale, followed.
Some ideas and requests from the students this year included:
- A request for bubblers to be put in at the Uralla Skate Park and BMX Track.
- Upgrade to the BMX Track (this will commence shortly with work expected to be completed mid-year).
- Ideas to have community events to strengthen youth relationships within the Shire.
- Ideas for holiday programs for teenagers and young people e.g. basketball competitions or football.
The Mayor asked the students about their lives, with questions like, "Does Cyber bullying affect young people in Uralla?" bringing out a great deal of discussion about social media, and the many issues affecting young people in the shire.
The event finished with a delicious morning tea, where students had the chance to speak one-on-one with the Mayor, Councillors and their fellow students.