Napranum and Weipa youth hone their leadership, athletic and digital skills at the Youth Entrepreneurship Regional Summit. Photo: Supplied.
Weipa and Napranum’s next generation of leaders, athletes and photographers are one step closer to their goals after attending the Youth Entrepreneurship Regional Summit in March.
Pacific Australia Youth Association (PAYA), which runs leadership summits for young people across the country, came to the Cape for the first time on 22 March to empower local young people by building their skills in leadership, sport and digital technology.
Weipa local Malachai Clements, who previously attended PAYA summits in New Caledonia and Tonga, shared his expertise with community youth.
“We held a series of workshops on leadership, teamwork and resilience building,” he said.
“We also did digital skills, like how to use a high-level camera, because a number of the kids there expressed that they wanted to become a photographer when they were older.”
The entrepreneurship summit was originally to be held in Weipa, but due to passings in community, it was moved to PCYC Napranum and shifted to focus on sport and skills.
“We had a number of people pull out last minute, and it became a situation where we had to go, alright, how do we still deliver something for the community that’s beneficial, despite it not being our original plan,” Mr Clements said.
“Something we did think about was the fact that a lot of the skills are translational between entrepreneurship and excelling in sport.
“Even the digital skills workshop, the youth were probably a bit young to be starting on their entrepreneurship journey, but knowing how to use a high-level camera could definitely lead to side businesses down the path, so it was a good starting point.”
Mr Clements said the community was eager to have the PAYA mentors back to do the intended entrepreneurship summit and provide more opportunities for youth.
“It empowers young people in remote communities; I think very often, remote communities get forgotten in Australia,” he said.
“I’m a Weipa local, so I can attest to the fact that we miss out on a lot of the opportunities that the rest of the youth in Australia get access to.
“There’s no lack of skill on the Cape, but just because of our geographical location, it’s a lot harder for young people on the Cape to shine and show their prowess.”
Budding young photographers had a chance to learn all about the operation of a high-level camera at the summit. Photo: Supplied.
