Shellharbour has just hosted a workshop for young people who want to implement positive change in the Illawarra and the South Coast regions. 

The community organisation On the Cusp designed the two-day workshop, held last weekend, as a way to help people aged 16-35 to work together on the issues that are important to them. 

Titled Reimagining Shellharbour, the event asked participants: Are you sick of politics as usual and want to create a better future for Shellharbour? Maybe you wish there were better public transport options in town. Or you’d like to see action to protect the local environment. Perhaps you want better jobs and working conditions for young people in the community.

Emily Jones, a Shell Cove local and founder of On the Cusp, said young people across the region were keen to play an active part in shaping the future of their communities. “I know our communities could benefit so much from more young leadership,” she says.

The event aimed to encourage young people to work together to address challenges such as improving public transportation and mitigating the cost of living crisis.

Emily feels strongly about creating space and opportunities for young people to advocate for themselves and their future. There is a notable lack of these spaces for young people, particularly outside of high school or an education environment. 

One participant, Lily, said the meeting proved to be a great experience with an engaged group of passionate young people. They said organisers did a great job navigating past any nervous tension in the beginning and straight into collaborating together. 

Emily hopes the meeting will empower participants to move into the community and form their own networks. On the Cusp offers mentoring and coaching with online seminars that help to link various networks across the community together.

As the region looks toward the future, the involvement and voices of its young people promise to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the community. Leadership and advocacy are crucial skills for the next generation and this inaugural meeting hopes to pass on the skills necessary to encourage positive change.