Beach bash for creative youths

The Bondi Creative Youth Fair (BCYF), an initiative of WAYS youth services, will take place at Bondi Beach Public School this Sunday.

A youth worker at WAYS, Eva Sanz Orio, said: “This event has been planned and organised with strong input from young people.”

“It tries to gather young people together regardless of their backgrounds.

It is very inspiring to work with young people who have lots of brilliant ideas and will to make a difference.”

The all-ages event, now in its second year, will see young people from the area selling handcrafted goods, food, clothing and other homemade items.

WAYS youth committee member, Kayla Lochner, said: “I really thought it was a fantastic experience.

I love helping out and being a part of the organisation and it was good to see a few success stories from stallholders.

“It was also great to see youth having this sort of opportunity, the Bondi locals were impressed with the standard of goods,” she said.

Young and upcoming musicians will also get a chance to display and promote their performance skills. “Youth of today need to be included in decision making processes and provided with healthy alternatives to recreational activities and opportunities,” Ms Sanz Orio said.

“And this is what BCYF is all about. This event is also aimed at giving young people a chance to actively participate in decision making by getting them involved in every aspect of the event,” she said.

WAYS youth services, a non-profit organisation, has been helping youth in the Eastern Suburbs for 30 years.

“This year BCYF stallholders will be selling jewelry, clothing, accessories, illustrations and artworks, gifts and deco, muffins, cakes, airbrush tattoos and live music and performances,” Ms Sanz Orio said.

Bondi Farmers Markets, Waverley Council, Woohlara Council and National Youth Week have also funded the event.

“We are very glad to be running the event with another local community organisation, Bondi Farmers Markets,” she said.

The Youth Week event aims to foster creativity by giving young people the opportunity to design, promote and plan.

“Bring a picnic rug and spend a wonderful autumm morning supporting and enjoying our local

By Georgia Fullerton