Come Try Me Day
In February 2021, Firefly Bay and Basin partnered with twelve local organisations to bring ‘Come Try Me Day’ to life—a one-off event designed to improve access for young people and families to local clubs, sports, and creative activities.
The idea for the event originated directly from the Bay and Basin community, which expressed a desire for improved ways to discover and connect with youth-focused opportunities. Held at Francis Ryan Reserve on Saturday, 20 February 2021, the event welcomed over 150 attendees and was made possible by more than 25 enthusiastic volunteers.
Young participants were given a special ‘passport’ to stamp at each activity they tried—from team sports to performing arts—and were encouraged to explore a variety of new interests. These interactions often sparked conversations at home with parents and carers about ongoing involvement in community life.
On the day, a vibrant mix of clubs and organisations hosted hands-on experiences, including:
Additional information booths offered insights into dance, drama, soccer, music lessons, rock climbing, and PCYC programs. Consultants were also on-site to assist families with Active and Creative Kids voucher information.
As part of the day, Firefly conducted a youth-focused survey to gather direct feedback from young people about their experiences in school, extracurricular interests, and community role models.
“We found that 54% of children surveyed valued school and activities equally, while 25% felt that sports and activities were even more important than school.”
— Come Try Me Day Youth Survey, 2021
This event was part of Firefly Bay and Basin’s broader efforts to support local goals, such as increasing access to community mentors, and was one of several pilot projects in NSW funded by Uniting. While Come Try Me Day was a single event, its success highlighted the power of collaboration in creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
Special thanks to all the supporters and volunteers who made the day possible. In particular, we would like to thank Sanctuary Point Bendigo Bank and Sanctuary Point Community Pride for funding the BBQ and catering, as well as Toyworld Vincentia, Bikes at the Basin, South Coast Indoor Climb, Music is a Verb, SSPAN, NSW Health, Headspace Nowra, and Uniting for providing prizes and giveaways.
Clubs reported strong engagement and were able to register new members on the day, making it a valuable networking opportunity for organisations as well.
