Our YouthCrew came together for an end-of-year catch-up in Huskisson last week to celebrate, reflect, and look ahead to the year to come.
The afternoon kicked off with a round of mini golf, full of laughter, friendly competition, and a little bit of cheeky banter. Afterwards, the group gathered for dinner overlooking the water, sharing stories from the past six months and dreaming about the projects they want to bring to life in 2026.
Looking Back: What YouthCrew Has Been Up To
Over the past six months, YouthCrew has been busy:
- Shaping how they want to work together through rotating leadership roles
- Exploring how young people find out about services and activities in the Bay & Basin
- Identifying what activities exist, what’s missing, and what makes an activity worth showing up to
- Reviewing and refining Community Voice survey questions
- “Flipping the script” on transport, talking about frustrations, what works, and imagining better solutions
Throughout every session, the group has brought curiosity, honesty, humour, and a genuine care for their community.
Looking Ahead: Priorities for 2026
At the end of the year gathering, they revisited the projects they’d explored throughout the year and voted on what matters most moving into 2026. Their top priorities include:
- Creating more youth activities and spaces, and better promoting what already exists
- Designing a youth activities map or app to make it easier for young people to find out what’s on
- Continuing to work on transport solutions that help young people move safely and affordably around their community
The group also expressed a strong desire to:
- Collaborate with local community groups
- Host networking and connection nights around topics they care about
- Build leadership skills, confidence, and the capacity to influence change
This wasn’t just about choosing projects; it was about deciding how they want to show up as young leaders in their community.
A Moment of Pause
As the sun set over the water, YouthCrew reflected on what they have valued most: connection, feeling heard, learning together, and knowing their voices are shaping the future.
We can’t wait to carry this momentum into 2026, supporting YouthCrew to turn their ideas into action, partnerships, and opportunities that make a real difference for young people across the Bay & Basin.