Autumn School Holiday Program in the Coolamon Shire

Each school holidays, Coolamon Shire Council’s Community Development team delivers a program designed to engage and support young people across the Shire — and this Autumn’s program certainly did not disappoint.

Thanks to funding secured through the NSW Government, Council was able to deliver a high-quality program catering to young people aged between 12 and 24 years. The program provided opportunities for over 50 participants to learn new skills, build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect socially within their local community.

Council partnered with several local businesses and organisations to deliver a diverse range of activities throughout the program. GRIT facilitated both a strength and weights session and an athletic development workshop, encouraging participants to improve their physical and mental health while building resilience and confidence.

Coolamon Cheese hosted an interactive workshop where participants created their own nacho bowls before sitting down together to enjoy the meal they had prepared. The session fostered social connection and provided a welcoming environment for young people to engage in meaningful conversations and form new friendships. Participants also enjoyed a tour of the cheese factory to learn more about local production.

Council also engaged The Totem Collective to deliver a skateboarding workshop suitable for all ages and abilities. Nigel and his team made a significant positive impact on participants through their learn-to-skate program, mentoring and encouraging young people to step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills and build confidence throughout the session. The day concluded with a BBQ lunch enjoyed by all participants.

Coolamon Shire Council would like to thank the NSW Government for its support in providing funding for these activities. The program has enabled local young people to access opportunities that may otherwise require significant travel or expense to participate in.

Council remains committed to creating inclusive and engaging opportunities for young people across the Shire and looks forward to continuing to deliver valuable community programs in the future.