National Youth Week starts tomorrow and will be celebrated by thousands of young people aged between 12 and 25 through until next Sunday, April 19.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘It Starts With Us’ and this message is very much advocated by the youth leaders of the local community. 

Two young leaders of the Scone community shared their insights into what it’s like to be a youth of the Upper Hunter and encouraged others to get out there and get involved in what’s happening. 

Kirsten Smith and Lachlan  White are both year 10 students at Scone High School. 

The teenagers are also keen members of the Upper Hunter  Youth Council and have been since the initiative was launched in 2011. 

They are part of a group of about 20 members who meet regularly to organise programs and fun events for youth in the local area, such as the recent Youth Beat music festival. 

Kirsten and Lachlan said being a youth in the country is different compared to city teenagers as young people don’t get the same opportunities in the country, but the council is about giving youngsters those opportunities. 

Lachlan said the council  gives young people a voice.

“If we want something done we can have a say and contribute to getting it done,” he said. 

“Things are improving a lot for youth in the Upper Hunter, and it can only get better.”

Several events are currently in the pipeline including movie nights and a Digi event, which they are looking forward to. 

Lachlan said they encourage youth to go along to the events and get involved. 

“A lot of people ignore what we are doing but complain that there is nothing to do.

“Come along and check out what we’re doing, the opportunity is there we just need the interest.”