from YAPRap February 2005
by Christina Walker, Coordinator, Nowra Youth Services
Nowra's young people have never had a place designed specifically for their needs. For many years 'temporary' buildings were designed but they were never truly a place young people would chose to go to. During my time as a Youth Worker, I have seen old buildings that no one else wanted, given to our young people and told this is your place. Can you imagine a building that was always cold in winter, boiling in summer, unable to stay clean due to the consistent pest invasions and sometimes located in the middle of nowhere?
Well it was a reality for the Shoalhaven Youth Centre. For years buildings that were substandard were handed over but classed as 'temporary'. The last building the Youth Centre was in was 'temporary' for seven years!
But after many months, if not years, of lobbying and talking to anyone that would listen, progress began. In October 2002, Shoalhaven City Council's elected representatives decided that a vacant building in the Central Business District of Nowra would become the new Youth Centre.
Designs and Community Groups were involved in the original discussions. Halfway through 2003, Council Youth Development Officer and myself toured Youth Centres in the Illawarra to see what were the successful design elements of these centres. A design was then drafted which turned into our vision for the New Youth Facility.
During this time a restructure of the Department of Community Services Project was also happening. The Nowra Youth Worker project was funded under the Community Services Grants Program. A new auspice body would take over from the current Neighbourhood Centre.
In September 2003, Nowra Youth Services became incorporated with the eventual handover of the project to coincide with Youth Week 2004.
The renovations commenced in February 2004 and the major work was completed in August 2004. Council also provided a fit-out budget which included lounges, desks, computers and electrical equipment. We had advice from Council's Art Manager about the colour scheme and what colours and furniture layout would work.
A major partnership also formed with Koori Habitat Night Patrol which would be housed at the new facility. This would allow the centres drop in hours to be extended with support to myself as the sole worker of the project.
The official opening of the new Nowra Youth Centre (with signage on the building indicating it is 'Youth Central') was held on Saturday 25 September 2004. Distinguished guests included local and federal members Joanna Gash MP and Matt Brown MP, Mayor Greg Watson and other Shoalhaven City Council elected representatives. The day was celebrated with a BBQ lunch, musicians performing and a fundraising activity that evening. The controversial movie by Michael Moore "Fahrenheit 9/11" was shown at the centre as the local cinema did not intend to show it in our town. We received donations from people who attended with the money to go to the Beslan Children's Fund, Oxfam and the Shoalhaven Linear Accelerator Program.
The Nowra Youth Facility has been an asset to the town. We have had positive feedback from local businesses, other youth and community services, police and the general public. We have shown through hundreds of people who seen our building on their travels and wanted a preview.
Currently the operating hours are Wednesday to Friday from 3pm till late and Saturday from 7pm till late. Habitat Youth provides transport home for young people during and after the centre closes which is an asset with the lack of appropriate and cost effective public transport in our area. The main games space includes a Computer Café area (with free Internet), pool table, Television/DVD lounge area and kitchen space. The Centre has meeting rooms, office space and a future Band/Music Room.
Our Council has now demonstrated that they are committed to young people, something that we knew was possible. It's a far cry from the 'temporary' youth centres we couldn't call home.
