FUNPARK
Embedded creative and community development programImage credit: The Mixtape, 2024, featuring alt-rock band Verdicts. Photographer: Bryana Fe Wicks.
Youth Leadership Committee (YLC)
Fortnightly meet-ups to June 2024, Bidwill Uniting
The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) is a group of young people (aged 18-25yrs) from across Mount Druitt who care about their community and want to have a positive impact on social issues through creative action. The YLC play an important role in advising community leaders on issues that are relevant to young people. Through fortnightly meetings where they steer the direction of FunPark events and activities, the YLC develop skills in creative producing, community organising and advocacy. In 2024, select members of the YLC took on paid creative producing roles in the various mini-events the group designed, planned and ran.
'Strength in Stories' Community Calendar Launch
15 February 2024, The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
Mount Druitt is profoundly rooted in resilient communities that celebrate and advocate for its people, culture, and place. Often misrepresented and underestimated, this heartland is home to a myriad of special individuals, programs, and establishments that breathe life into its every corner. The ‘Strength in Stories'’ calendar aspired to capture this genuine spirit, spotlighting those who define and enrich the community with their diversity, resilience, and vibrancy. Through a focus on the personalities behind the numerous services, institutions, and cultural groups, our intention was to not only honour them but to also weave an authentic narrative of Mount Druitt's multifaceted identity.
Community Kick Off
20 March 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The FunPark Community Kick Off was the first of our Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by one of our YLC members, Aaliyah Filipe. This event was created with the aim to bridge the gap between community and our local emergency services through a friendly game of touch footy. We had two teams called 'Toa' and 'Bunyas' (which means warrior in many Pasifika and First Nations languages), who wore team jerseys designed by young locals in our free Jersey Making and Designing workshops in the lead up to the game. Our teams were made up of local organisation members from Bidwill Uniting, The Hive and Learning Ground, Mount Druitt police force members, Baulkham Hills fire department, Ropes Crossing fire department and young local people who joined on the day.
Bidwill Family Fun Day
29 April 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The Bidwill Family Fun Day was our second of the three Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by another one of our YLC members, Brittney Higgison. This event was created to provide locals with a free, local, day of fun for parents and their kids to enjoy before going back to school for the new term whilst also building a closer relationship with and between community members, local organisations, emergency services.
Western Sydney Mixtape presents The Mixtape
8 June 2024, Mount Druitt Community Hall
FunPark and Western Sydney Mixtape joined forces to present The Mixtape. Mount Druitt Community Hall was buzzing with incredible talent and energy – many thanks to the following artist showcase featuring Majeda, Ignayso, Verdicts, Gemma Navarette, Wartabar, P.Smid and Stacey Street, Lxgcy, Rachel Giudice & James The Poet. This event was also produced by YLC member, Ryan Wicks.
CREDITS
FunPark project team:
Daisy Montalvo (FunPark program lead until March 2024); Robyn Hardge-Scott (FunPark Youth and Community Liaison and Engagement Officer) and Neda Taha (FunPark Creative Producer, Communications & Social Media).
YLC mini events producers: Aaliyah Filipe, Brittney Higgison, Ryan Wicks.
FunPark was funded by Multicultural NSW’s Compact Alliance Grant.
Fortnightly meet-ups to June 2024, Bidwill Uniting
The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) is a group of young people (aged 18-25yrs) from across Mount Druitt who care about their community and want to have a positive impact on social issues through creative action. The YLC play an important role in advising community leaders on issues that are relevant to young people. Through fortnightly meetings where they steer the direction of FunPark events and activities, the YLC develop skills in creative producing, community organising and advocacy. In 2024, select members of the YLC took on paid creative producing roles in the various mini-events the group designed, planned and ran.
'Strength in Stories' Community Calendar Launch
15 February 2024, The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
Mount Druitt is profoundly rooted in resilient communities that celebrate and advocate for its people, culture, and place. Often misrepresented and underestimated, this heartland is home to a myriad of special individuals, programs, and establishments that breathe life into its every corner. The ‘Strength in Stories'’ calendar aspired to capture this genuine spirit, spotlighting those who define and enrich the community with their diversity, resilience, and vibrancy. Through a focus on the personalities behind the numerous services, institutions, and cultural groups, our intention was to not only honour them but to also weave an authentic narrative of Mount Druitt's multifaceted identity.
Community Kick Off
20 March 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The FunPark Community Kick Off was the first of our Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by one of our YLC members, Aaliyah Filipe. This event was created with the aim to bridge the gap between community and our local emergency services through a friendly game of touch footy. We had two teams called 'Toa' and 'Bunyas' (which means warrior in many Pasifika and First Nations languages), who wore team jerseys designed by young locals in our free Jersey Making and Designing workshops in the lead up to the game. Our teams were made up of local organisation members from Bidwill Uniting, The Hive and Learning Ground, Mount Druitt police force members, Baulkham Hills fire department, Ropes Crossing fire department and young local people who joined on the day.
Bidwill Family Fun Day
29 April 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The Bidwill Family Fun Day was our second of the three Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by another one of our YLC members, Brittney Higgison. This event was created to provide locals with a free, local, day of fun for parents and their kids to enjoy before going back to school for the new term whilst also building a closer relationship with and between community members, local organisations, emergency services.
Western Sydney Mixtape presents The Mixtape
8 June 2024, Mount Druitt Community Hall
FunPark and Western Sydney Mixtape joined forces to present The Mixtape. Mount Druitt Community Hall was buzzing with incredible talent and energy – many thanks to the following artist showcase featuring Majeda, Ignayso, Verdicts, Gemma Navarette, Wartabar, P.Smid and Stacey Street, Lxgcy, Rachel Giudice & James The Poet. This event was also produced by YLC member, Ryan Wicks.
CREDITS
FunPark project team:
Daisy Montalvo (FunPark program lead until March 2024); Robyn Hardge-Scott (FunPark Youth and Community Liaison and Engagement Officer) and Neda Taha (FunPark Creative Producer, Communications & Social Media).
YLC mini events producers: Aaliyah Filipe, Brittney Higgison, Ryan Wicks.
FunPark was funded by Multicultural NSW’s Compact Alliance Grant.