Category Archives: Youth

Jandai Literacy bags introduce our 0-5s to Quandamooka storytelling

December 9, 2020

A partnership between Redland Libraries and the State Library of Queensland will provide local youngsters with an insight into Quandamooka storytelling by distributing 700 First 5 Forever (F5F) Jandai Literacy Bags.

The initiative was launched by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams at an event with local Aboriginal author, artist and language advocate Dr Sandra Delaney at Cleveland Library on 5 December.

Mayor Karen Williams said the bags featured an image by Quandamooka artist Shara Delaney and contained a copy of Dr Sandra Delaney’s dual-language picture book Whale Dreaming: Bibunla Yalingbila accompanied by an English-Jandai translation of the F5F key words talk, play, read and sing.

“The bags have been funded by a grant from the State Library and support the F5F’s primary goal of supporting children’s language and literacy development,” Cr Williams said.

“We thank the State Library of Queensland for recognising the value of connecting our youngest residents with wonderful stories like Dr Delaney’s tale of whale migration past North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah),” she said.

“Whale Dreaming: Bibunla Yalingbila is a gentle and engaging story of friendship that reflects the Quandamooka people’s connection with sea and country while promoting their Aboriginal language of Jandai.

“Seeing our youngest community members become acquainted with the language, listening to the story and trying out the Jandai words for themselves is delightful.

“The artwork on the bag is from another of Dr Delaney’s stories – The Story of the Rainbow – which is also included inside.

“These bags will activate a program of awareness about Jandai that will stretch more broadly across families, and reinforce our city’s commitment to inclusiveness and recognition of our Quandamooka connection.”

The Jandai Literacy Bags will be distributed by Redland Libraries to children aged 0-5 years who have previously attended an F5F activity or become new library members.

This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland.

School holiday fun on Redlands Coast

December 7, 2020

There’s no excuse for boredom during the summer school holidays, with Redland City Council offering plenty of activities to engage, educate and entertain our city’s younger residents.

Mayor Karen Williams said there would be something to suit children of all ages with events being held at IndigiScapes Environmental Education Centre, Redland Libraries, Redland Art Gallery and Redland Performing Arts Centre.

“There are activities on offer for bookworms, crafty kids, environmental enthusiasts, aspiring artists and budding circus performers,” she said.

“With the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions we are pleased to be able to resume school holiday activities for our younger residents, but we do have measures in place to ensure everyone remains safe.

“Bookings are essential for most sessions as numbers are limited to allow for physical distancing.

“I encourage everyone to go online for more information and to ensure their children don’t miss out on a spot.

“The majority of events are free, but there are a few which incur a small cost.”

IndigiScapes is offering hands-on environmental workshops and events throughout December and January.

Become a citizen scientist and experience a self-guided iNaturalist scavenger hunt, or join yoga sessions, a fairy nature walk with storytelling, and a botanical dye and printing workshop.

Children can also explore the world of insects and make an insect hotel, create clay masterpieces, make a nature wreath or beeswax wraps, discover amazing ocean artefacts or learn about reducing lunch box waste and composting.

For information on any of these activities, visit the IndigiScapes website.

The mainland libraries at Cleveland, Victoria Point and Capalaba are offering free Christmas craft sessions where participants can make a mosaic, stocking, decoration and gift tags.

In January there will be a puppets storytime, activities inspired by 130-Storey Treehouse, Trolls and Minecraft, and sessions where children gain confidence by reading to story dogs.

Bookings are required for all activities. Go to redland.qld.gov.au/library

Redland Performing Arts Centre is encouraging youngsters to run off and join the circus for a couple hours in December with workshops where they can tackle the trapeze, harness the hula-hoop, or master juggling and tumbling.

For information and bookings visit RPAC’s website.

Redland Art Gallery Cleveland will be facilitating free drop-in workshops in January, to coincide with Raquel Ormella’s exhibition Now is the Time at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art.

For information and bookings visit the gallery’s website.

The gallery also offers a range of online activities where participants can make a hanging mobile, paint a portrait, create a cargo ship or a collage, or do some stamping.

Council urges pre-schoolies visitors to behave responsibly and stay COVID-safe

September 18, 2020

Redland City Council is urging young people who may be planning to visit North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) for ‘pre-schoolies’ to stay vigilant and follow Queensland Health COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council wrote to the chair of the District Disaster Coordination Centre last month to advise of the upcoming event and seek advice regarding the expected influx of school leavers that visit the island during the September school holidays.

“While there are usually no planned events for pre-schoolies, there are generally large gatherings on the island’s beaches and in the townships, so we wrote to Queensland Health to make them aware of the event,” she said.

“The response acknowledged that while there may be increased travellers to the island, there are no formal planned events, so school leavers would need to comply with the relevant Queensland Health restrictions in place at the time.

“We welcome these young adults to Redlands Coast, but with large groups comes heightened risk of virus transmission so it is also vital that they help us prevent local outbreaks by adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This includes keeping to the physical distancing rule of staying at least 1.5m away from others, the gathering rules of no more than 10 people in public and private places – excluding venues with a COVID-safe plan in place – and regularly washing and sanitising hands.”

Division 2 Councillor for North Stradbroke Island Peter Mitchell said young visitors to the island should also follow any directions given by Queensland Police.

“There are vulnerable communities living on Minjerribah, and the last thing we would want to see is an outbreak of COVID-19 there,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The rules are in place for a good reason and fines for breaches are significant.

“While Minjerribah is a beautiful location to celebrate the transition from school to adulthood, I urge all visitors to the island to help keep themselves and others safe by acting responsibly, knowing the rules, and keeping to them.”

For information about COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, visit qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

Redlands Coast park improvements opening soon

June 26, 2020

Mayor Karen Williams said there would be exciting new play spaces and equipment at Thornlands Community Park, Apex Park in Wellington Point and Raby Esplanade Park in Ormiston.

“The $2.1 million addition to Thornlands Community Park will open for the first day of school holidays, this Saturday 27 June,” Cr Williams said.

“The $770,000 upgrade to Raby Esplanade Park will follow mid-next week (approximately 1 July), weather permitting.

“Disappointingly, the opening of the $720,000 Apex Park upgrade has been pushed back due to vandalism, but we hope it won’t be too delayed.

“All of these upgrades are part of larger staged park projects that will see improvements to facilities for a cross section of visitors.”

Division 3 Councillor Paul Golle said he had watched with excitement as Thornlands Community Park, at the corner for Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and Waterline Boulevard, had emerged from what was just a grassy patch in April 2018.

“The new all abilities play space will feature a double flying fox, water auger and mud pit; and incorporate additional picnic settings, barbeques, shade, and seating all within a fully fenced area,” Cr Golle said.

“This coming financial year (2020/21) will see the inclusion of an extra agricultural themed mounded play area for climbing, sliding and tunnelling within the fenced play area and fitness equipment outside.”

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said she was looking forward to the upcoming openings of the revamped play areas at both Apex Park and Raby Esplanade Park.

“In a first for Redlands Coast parks, Apex Park at Starkey Street, Wellington Point will include an in-ground trampoline,” she said.

“Along with the addition of a climbing unit and fairy play space, the much loved flying fox will be renewed.

“Raby Esplanade Park, Ormiston will reopen with a nautical themed play space, a shipping container stacked play tower and a created creek bed featuring water pumps and sluice gates.

“The exciting new hamster wheel will be another first for the Redlands Coast children to enjoy.”

Update 17 March 2020: Redlands Coast Youth Week Backtrack Boys screening postponed

March 17, 2020

The Redlands Coast Youth Week event, screening Backtrack Boys and celebrating youth organisations, and has been postponed until late 2020.

Redland City Council has activated plans to mitigate adverse impacts of the emerging COVID-19 outbreak, ensuring continuation of critical business and the health and safety of its customers, employees and the Redlands Coast community.

Council’s Redland Performing Arts Centre is closed until Thursday 30 April, with all performances during this time cancelled or postponed. Read more

Earlier – March 11 2020

Free Backtrack Boys screening at RPAC shines a light on the importance of youth services

Acclaimed documentary Backtrack Boys will be shown as part of the annual Redlands Coast Youth Week celebrations on Thursday, 2 April 2020.

Redland City Council has partnered with Redlands PCYC & Redlands Youth Justice to host a free screening of the film at the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC), with a digital story about the work of eight Redlands Coast youth organisations wrapping up the evening.

Manager of Redlands Youth Justice Centre, Chris Trigger, will MC the event, with staff from Redlands PCYC, Redlands Centre for Women, Redlands Community Centre, COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Centre, The Cage Youth Foundation, BIMSARA – Bay Islands Multi Sport And Recreation Association, Traction and Running Wild will be invited to represent their organisations on the evening.

Lauded by critics as an inspiring coming-of-age film, Backtrack Boys follows boys in a youth program as they strive to turn their lives around.

The documentary, set in Armidale in rural New South Wales and filmed over two years, follows the boys and their saviour Bernie Shakeshaft, a free-wheeling jackaroo who runs a dog jumping team.

Since premiering at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2018, Backtrack Boys has won five prestigious Audience Awards in film festivals across the country.

The Backtrack Boys screening is open to the whole community and refreshments will be provided on arrival.

Guests need to register their attendance through the event listing on Redlands Coast Youth Facebook page with names and ages of attendees by 4.30pm Monday 30 March 2020.

Please note that Backtrack Boys is rated MA15+ and young people unaccompanied by an adult will need to provide proof of age to view the film.

First Redlands Coast Sports Gala a success

March 9, 2020

Redland City Council’s first Redlands Coast Sports Gala day has proven to be a great success despite a two-week wet weather postponement.

More than 200 people attended the late-February event at the Norm Price Park – Redland Showgrounds, giving many primary-school aged children the chance to try a variety of sports including Rugby League, cricket, Rugby Union, netball, AFL, golf, hockey, softball, BMX, Tae Kwon Do, tennis, skipping and gymnastics.

BXM fun

Local Redlands Coast sport and recreation clubs were on hand to host fun activities and sign-up new players.

There was also time to catch up with some sporting heroes – including Matt Hodgson and Jeremy Kendall from the Brisbane Bullets, Josie Dooley from Queensland Fire, trampolinist Charlotte Johnstone and touch footballers Corey Russell & Adam Pryde.

Jeremy Kendall and Matt Hodgson from the Brisbane Bullets

All were involved in a signing and photo session and netball royalty Jemma Mi Mi & Ine-Mari Venter, from the Queensland Firebirds, showed their commitment to youth development by assisting with the netball activity.

Qld Firebirds players Jemma Mi Mi with Tanya Ward from Netball Queensland

All participants received a free hat, sunscreen and a water bottle in a Council giveaway pack.

Council opens applications for Redlands Coast Youth Reference Group

February 14, 2020

Council is urging Redlands Coast residents aged 18 to 30 years who want a greater say in the city’s future to apply to join the inaugural 2020 Redlands Coast Youth Reference Group.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council was keen to connect with the youth of Redlands Coast to hear their opinions about local services, events, strategies and plans.

“Young people are the future of our city and it is important their voices are heard,” she said.

“Being part of the Redlands Coast Youth Reference Group will allow the volunteer members to have a strong voice in the city’s future while building leadership skills.”

Cr Williams said a number of Council initiatives were focussed on the city’s young people; and the reference group would have a major role in their planning.

“The group will be able to have a say on exciting initiatives such as our Redlands Youth Strategy, Redlands Coast Youth Action Plan, local Youth Day Out and Careers Expo,” she said.

“Input from Redlands Coast’s youth will be invaluable to ensure these strategies and events hit the mark and empower our younger people to help build a stronger future.”

The reference group comes from a Notice of Motion from Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty, who said Council also wanted to hear from Redlands Coast’s youth on topics such as city development and liveability, the environment, jobs, technology and transport.

“There are no minimum requirements needed to be part of the group and I urge the city’s younger residents to consider joining and have a say about our community’s future,” she said.

“Establishing such a group will ensure the youth of our city will be heard now and into the future.”

Applications for the 2020 Redlands Coast Youth Reference Group are open until Wednesday, 4 March 2020.

For further information and to access an application form, visit Council’s Redlands Coast Youth Reference Group webpage or email youth@redland.qld.gov.au.

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