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Tom McIntosh applauds the Labor government for supporting more youth-led events across Victoria for Youth Fest 2025 on September

The Allan Labor government is funding youth-led events across Victoria for Youth Fest 2025, including new activities in Wellington Shire, to connect and engage young people during the September school holidays.

By news@gippsland - 5th June 2025 - Back to News

The Allan Labor government is backing more youth-led events across Victoria - helping young people come together and shape the activities that matter to them during Youth Fest 2025. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that the Wellington Shire will receive a grant to design, plan and deliver two new events in Rosedale and Stratford during Youth Fest in September 2025.

Youth Fest 2025 returns, with 110 groups sharing nearly $220,000 to deliver youth-led events celebrating young Victorians statewide

Celebrating Victorian youth

Youth Fest celebrates young Victorians by funding fun, creative and inclusive events designed and led by young people. Schools, local councils and community organisations will use funding to deliver events including art exhibitions, cultural festivals, sports days and youth awards.

This year there are 44 events across rural and regional Victoria, including a gaming event in Rosedale, and a disco in Stratford, coming up in the September school holidays. These events aim to connect young people and provide entertainment during the school holidays.

Victorian Youth Fest 2025 will run from Monday, 1 September to Tuesday, 30 September. The Labor government has funded the delivery of more than 500 Victorian Youth Fest events over the past five years. For more information on this year's events, visit Youth Fest grants website.

Youth fest celebrated

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman said, "Youth Fest is all about delivering more free and low-cost events that give young people and local communities a chance to enjoy themselves. Youth Fest puts young people in the driver's seat and gives them a platform to show their talents in both metro Melbourne and regional Victoria."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "A disco and a gaming event are two great events to help keep young people connected in Central Gippsland - especially in the school holidays, when youth might feel more isolated. These are inclusive, affordable events so our youth can have fun close to home."

Youth-led grants

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Scott Rossetti said, "A big congratulations to our Youth Council for successfully securing this grant. Youth Councillors led the entire process, from identifying the funding opportunity and surveying their peers, to shaping the event ideas and submitting the application."

"With light-touch support from a Council officer, this was truly a youth-led effort, and we're proud to see their ideas come to life in Rosedale and Stratford this September. These events will offer fun, inclusive spaces for young people to connect during the holidays - a time when many can feel isolated. We'll be sharing more details about the Rosedale gaming day and Stratford disco soon, so stay tuned!" Cr Rossetti said.

Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com