Celebrate Youth Week 2024 in the Hills Shire

Calling all the young people in the Hills Shire! The Hills Shire Council will celebrate NSW Youth Week 2024 with a series of activities for the youth in the Hills.

NSW Youth Week will run from Thursday, 11 April to Sunday, 21 April 2024, featuring different activities, performances, and workshops across the state. According to the NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAD), this year’s theme is ‘Express. Empower. Get Loud!’

The NSW YAD mentioned that the state-wide celebration is an excellent opportunity to showcase their abilities, express their thoughts and involve themselves with the community and the state.

“Youth Week is a chance for every young person from NSW to be themselves! It gives young people the opportunity to showcase their talents, get involved and celebrate where they are from, their culture, their sexuality, gender and identity,” NSW YAD said. 

Youth Week Entertainment Bundle

For starters, the Hills Council introduces its Youth Week Entertainment Bundle, exclusive to young people ages 12 – 24. The Bundle is solely for the Rouse Hill Town Centre, offering all of the following for free:

• One (1) movie ticket + a small popcorn at Reading Cinemas
• One (1) 30-minute play at Time Zone
• One (1) meal voucher (valid for specified retailers as shown below)

According to the Hills Council, young people can avail of a bundle at the Rouse Hill Town Centre’s Customer Service desk starting 11 April. Registration details and ID are required to confirm their eligibility.

Tickets can be booked online via Eventbrite: Entertainment Bundle.

The following brands are the retailers involved in the Youth Bundle activations. The Council also mentioned: ‘Participating retailers may use discretion with what specific deals are on offer from their business.’

• Baskin Robbins
• Donut King
• Eat Grk
• KFC
• Griddle
• Grill’d
• Mad Mex
• Oporto
• Roll’d
• Smoothie Factory
• Soul Origin
• The Coffee Club
• Top Juice

The Rouse Hill Town Centre is located at 10/14 Market, Rouse Hill, 2155.

Movie Afternoon

Spend time at the Castle Towers Event Cinemas for Movie Afternoon and enjoy a free blockbuster screening of the recently released Kung Fu Panda 4 on Monday, 15 April 2024. Tickets can booked online via Eventbrite: Movie Afternoon.

The afternoon screening also includes free popcorn and a bottle of water.

The event starts at 3:00 PM for its Sign-in and collection of snacks. The movie is expected to end at 5:05 PM. The Castle Towers Event Cinemas is at 6-14 Castle Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154.

Youth Week Art Therapy Workshop

On Tuesday, 16 April, teenagers ages 12 to 17 can join the Youth Week Art Therapy workshop. The session is geared toward young people who want to express the troubles and difficulties they have been facing. They will also have the chance to look after their emotional and mental well-being.

The workshop will run from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Castle Towers Community Hub. It is free of charge. However, bookings are essential, and they can be made online via Eventbrite here: Youth Week Art Therapy.

Castle Towers is located at Old Castle Hill Road, Castle NSW 2154.

Hills Community Aid Family Fun Day

Participate in the Hills Community Aid (HCA) Family Fun Day at the Balcombe Heights Estate on Wednesday, 17 April 2024. From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, games, creative crafts, tasty treats, and different activities will keep the family entertained.

The HCA mentions: “Get ready for a day packed with laughter, games, and entertainment suitable for all ages. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, a parent, or a grandparent, there’s something special waiting for you.”

To learn more about the Family Fun Day, visit the HCA’s Facebook page here.

Balcombe Heights Estate is located at 92 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills.

Hills Youth Fall Festival

Celebrate youth at the Hills Youth Fall Festival on Thursday, 18 April, at the Castle Hill Showground. From 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, attendees can expect a chance to interact, have fun, and talk about awareness of youth homelessness with fellow young people.

There will be performances by Triple J’s Unearthed artists ‘ignasyo’, ‘Busky’, and ‘YAW’, The Voice Contestant Nicola Desensi, and emerging artist CARMON, along with other local young musicians and dancers. The festival is geared towards youth from 12 to 25 years old.

The free festival on Thursday will have the following:

• DJ
• Music & dance performances
• A range of fun free activities
• Free food trucks and drinks
• Free activity stalls
• Outdoor gym
• Photobooth
• Airbrush tattoos
• Markets by young entrepreneurs
• Lawn bowls
• Mini Golf
• Art Display
• Prizes to be won
• and more

Saints Care and Youth Rezolutions will host the event. Castle Hill RSL Group, The Hills Shire Council, and NSW Youth Week are sponsors and supporters of the Youth Festival.  

As part of the Hills Fall Youth Festival, the Hills Creative Arts Competition will also hold an exhibit featuring the artistic works of young Hills Shire artists. The competition is open to young people aged 12 to 24 who reside, work, or study in the Hills.

As of this writing, the competition is still accepting entries but will remain open until Thursday, 4 April.

Mayor of the Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi, emphasised the significance of recognising the valuable input of young Aussies and their impact on shaping our local community.

“We’re offering a range of participation opportunities, so we have favourite events returning along with exciting new activities,” Mayor Gangemi said.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising this year’s Youth Week activities, including Hills Community Aid, Uniting, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Youth Rezolutions, Event Cinemas Castle Towers, Reading Cinemas, our Creative Arts Competition sponsors, the Hills Youth Army and our Youth Ambassadors.”

To learn more about the Hills Shire’s Youth Week celebrations and ways to volunteer, visit the Council here.

The Castle Hill Showground is located at Showground Road, Castle Hill NSW, 2154.