There will be a colourful display of COVID messaging pinned up around Hepburn Shire when it reopens to tourists later this year, created by the region's youth.
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When restrictions eased after the first lockdown, Daylesford and surrounding areas were inundated with tourists. As this lockdown lifts, it is hoped that striking artistic posters with messaging - such as encouraging 1.5 metres between another person and to wear a mask - created by the region's youth will keep Hepburn residents safe.
In a creative step in a different direction from its best known activity - a disco for primary school-aged children - Daylesford Blue Light is hosting an art competition and workshops for youth.
While police and Blue Light volunteers have been unable to undertake proactive engagement with youth this year due to social restrictions, Acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Flood said the art competition would have multiple benefits.
"It will be a different way we can engage with young people across Hepburn," he said, noting it would empower them by providing them with the opportunity to have a voice regarding an issue that is affecting everyone.
"They are growing up in a challenging time and have had massive disruptions to education and many of their interests, such as sport and socialising. So to be able to reflect that in their art will hopefully, in some way, be of benefit," he said.
They are growing up in a challenging time and have had massive disruptions to education and many of their interests, such as sport and socialising. So to be able to reflect that in their art will hopefully, in some way, be of benefit.
- Acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Flood
But it will also mean there will be more engaging messaging plastered across the shire for when more tourists descend on the region.
"I see it as a bit of a win/ win, by also getting some meaningful messaging that has more impact when we do have visitors come back so people will be more considerate and conscious of the signs," Acting Senior Sergeant Flood said.
The art competition is open to all youth, aged between 12 and 15, who live in Hepburn Shire.
As restrictions have continued to ease in regional Victoria, it means that organisers have been able to slightly change the delivery of the project.
In a COVID-safe way, organisers plan to host face-to-face workshops for small groups with recognised local artists.
Among these artists are Gav Barbey and Mick Ryan, who will provide guidance and tips to the young creators while they are thinking about ideas and transferring them on to paper.
"They will get some tuition but will also get to meet some of their local police and other community members, like the Blue Light volunteers, and spend some time talking to them," Acting Senior Sergeant Flood said.
It is part of a range of projects that Daylesford Blue Light is considering, which they believe will create more meaningful engagement with youth.
"The point of Blue Light is to build a relationship between police and kids, so we are starting to explore other programs and projects that we could get up and running here that are a bit more meaningful," he said.
"...so we actually get to spend time with young people living in the area that we wouldn't necessarily deal with so they can see that we are normal people and they can be comfortable coming to talk to us.
It's about removing some of those barriers that exist between police and young people and we are trying to reach as many people as we can
- Acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Flood
"It's about removing some of those barriers that exist between police and young people and we are trying to reach as many people as we can."
Expressions of interest close on November 1 at 5pm.
Daylesford Blue Light will then announce exactly how the workshops will be conducted and the locations across Hepburn Shire.
"We are trying to be as accommodating as possible and as safe as possible," Acting Senior Sergeant Flood said.
Cash prizes will be available for art competition winners.
For more information, contact daylesford@bluelight.org.au
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