Napranum and Aurukun will kick off Youth Week 2025 with an explosion of colour during fun runs in the western Cape York communities. Photo: Supplied.
PCYCs in Napranum and Aurukun are gearing up to make Youth Week 2025 an unforgettable celebration of their young people’s happiness, motivation and health.
The two communities kicked off Youth Week with a burst of colour on 7 April with a free Colour Xplosion Fun Run, with many more activities planned throughout the week to keep the youth engaged.
PCYC Napranum club manager Sergeant Rhonda Spence said Youth Week played a huge role in making sure young people in community felt seen and celebrated.
“We see youth daily and admire their eagerness to learn, so being able to make Youth Week extra special through a wide range of activities and events greatly supports their confidence and wellbeing,” she said.
“Each child that enters PCYC Napranum is treasured, and we proudly broadcast that we are a fun and safe place for all our youth where their development is supported greatly.”
Sergeant Spence said they had initially planned for the two western Cape York clubs to come together on Tuesday for a cultural exchange delivered by emerging leaders of each community, but it was postponed to NAIDOC Week in July due to a lack of available transport and road conditions.
“We see this event as a pivotal event that supports youth development in both communities, coming together through teamwork activities and respecting cultures,” she said.
“Although we are not heading to Aurukun, we will have a day where youth can enjoy their favourite pastime – fishing – and an invitation is extended to Elders and community leaders.”
On 9 April, 60 Napranum youth will head to Weipa for a slime obstacle event before heading back to the club for a mental health and wellbeing showcase.
“This will be a chaotic-but-fun event, where they can reconnect with their school peers and enjoy a couple of hours getting messy,” Sergeant Spence said.
“Our older youth [then] get the opportunity to connect with service providers who support mental health and wellbeing awareness.”
The young people will enjoy a slower-paced day on Thursday with games, jewellery-making, sport and a pool night in Weipa, before a nutrition and cooking workshop and disco on Friday to finish off Youth Week.
“Our fantastic little club is greatly supported by Western Cape Communities Trust Central Sub-Regional Trust, and without their ongoing support, these activities could not be delivered,” Sergeant Spence said.
“This support plays a huge part of what we can deliver while recognising the talents and aspirations of our youth.”
