Local youths have taken it upon themselves to inject some positivity into the region by putting on a “celebration of youth” at George Lay Park this Saturday.
Swan Hill’s Collizion Youth, a local Christian youth group, is set to put on the event, dubbed Life Explosion, with no cost for local youth to attend.
Collizion Youth member Aleasha Saul said the idea to hold the event had sprung up because of recent community concerns about a negative youth culture in Swan Hill.
“There’s been a lot of negative stuff going around lately,” Eleasha said.
“When we missed out on the headspace centre there was a lot of negative [comments] about the way our youth have been.
“We really want to change that — we think that our youth is great, we think our town is great and we just want to have a fun day where we can express that.”
Activities lined up for the day include a scooter time trial where the quickest rider will claim a brand new scooter, a three-point basketball shootout as well as sumo wrestling and ‘giant boxing glove’ boxing.
Swan Hill College chaplain Hayden Price has been helping to co-ordinate the event.
“There have been a lot of negative connotations about our youth and it almost created an air of hopelessness,” Mr Price said.
“The Collizion Youth are just passionate about life — these guys believe they can offer an alternative in the way that they lead their life.”
Activities were an important focus for the event, Mr Price said, with sponsorship from Sports Power, Sport First and Subway cementing the vivacious vibe of the day.
“Everything is free and it’s just a celebration of life — that’s why it’s called ‘Life Explosion,” he said.
“We believe there is a lot for hope for young people in Swan Hill and when you put something out there the young people will respond.”
