b'08 OCTOBER 07, 2022 The Great Eastern MailApplications nowarts & cultureopen for East Gippsland Youth The Firkins returnAmbassador Program HIS year marks the fifthAlthough we have held RE you passionate about creatingT annual Firkin Exhibition,the event every year since its A positive change in your community,once again being held ininception, we were hampered by having fun and meeting new people? the Lake Tyers Beach Hall on theconstraints on public gatherings Or do you know a young person that is? first weekend in December. Theand continuing uncertainty in East Gippsland Shire Council is lookingexhibition creates the opportunity2020 and 2021. This year we for young people aged 1225 living,for makers and creators of allare once again able to plan on studying or working in East Gippsland to addlevels of experience and workinga full community dinner in their passion, drive and ideas to the Youthwith all types of materials toconjunction with the opening Ambassador Program. construct their interpretation of night on Friday night.The Youth Ambassador Program is a peer- a Small Vessel. I love that we are able to offer led committee of Council. It is designed toA firkin is a type of smallan exhibition space where locals help Council better understand and meet thewooden barrel that years agocan put their imaginations on needs of young people in East Gippsland. Itswas used to store or measuredisplay for the whole community also a fun way to volunteer and have inputfoodstuffs such as butter or fish,to see, and to woo and wow us into planning, design and activities that youusually measuring just over 40with their skill and expertise. want to see in your community. litres in capacity. For the pastWe also welcome artists from Supported by Councils Youth Engagementfive years it has lent its namefurther afield who add a further Officer, Youth Ambassadors are a mix ofto the Firkin Exhibition, wheredimension to the variety of various ages, skills, abilities and backgrounds.entrants are asked to show theirsculptures to view.Members are empowered and can chooseinterpretation of a small vesselThe exhibition is organized areas of focus and interests to develop skillsor container with dimensionsby local artists and volunteers and networks in a supported and inclusiveno greater than 30cm x 30cm xfor the benefit of art and artists in environment. 30cm. Apart from that, materialsrepurposed waste materials,Entries are now open, but thereEast Gippsland. I encourage local This year, there is the additionaland methods are open to theprecious metals, 3D printingis plenty of time to imagine, planartists and those from further opportunity to be part of the Gippsland Eastimagination of the artist. and the realm of virtual reality. Aand create your entry.afield to join with us in putting on Youth Projects Youth Programs CommitteeIn past years entries have beencontainer has been representedCurator for the Exhibition,a show for East Gippsland. and be paid for your time! constructed from a vast range ofby pots and vases, boats and hats,Phil Evans, is excited for anFurther information can be The Gippsland East Youth Project (GEYP)materials including timber andthrough to picture frames andexhibition largely unhindered byfound on Facebook. Search for:is an externally funded and facilitated projectclay, fibre and found objects,books. coronavirus restrictions. Firkin Exhibition 2022that supports a mobile youth space (a bus) travelling throughout the shire to supportGippsland Opera put on a spectacular springtime showactivities which build community resilience and connectedness. This is a super exciting project for East Gippsland! W ITH Nathan Lay, one ofbrilliant accompanist and thoseSoprano, Georgia Wilkinson and Exactly what activities the GEYP team dothe Ten Tenors alongthirty female voices of Caseyintroducing local baritone, Wil is guided by the Youth Programs Committee. with Opera AustraliaChoir in perfect harmony insideJones. These meetings will be held monthly onsinger, and the lovely voice ofSt Marys Church, was an acousticTicket sales opened at the a Wednesday night and are in addition tosoprano, Kate Amos, who likewisemade for each other. The choice oflaunch and with bus companies the regular Youth Ambassador meeting.is employed full time with Vicrepertoire many of us had neverfrom near and far, it is obvious Participation on the committee is paid. Opera and Opera Australia, plusheard before, held everyone spellhow quickly this will get booked Mayor Mark Reeves said being a YouthCasey Choir, St Marys churchbound, from classical to the jazz ofout. Gippsland Operas audience Ambassador provides an opportunity forin Bairnsdale was filled withthe popular, Fly Me To The Moon.love this event, which is hardly young people to discuss youth issues, havethe most beautiful sound forOpera Australias, Nathan Lay,surprising, as it is always a sell-a meaningful engagement with CouncilGippsland Operas Springtimeflew down from Sydney to performout. With international world and have a say about the future of theirSpectacular on Sunday 18that this concert. Hes a local boy,class singers, East Gippsland community. September. who grew up in Latrobe and afterSymphonia, brass bands, local Our Youth Ambassador program has beenKate and Nathan presentedmuch determination and talentproduce in those delicious boxed running for a number of years now. It has leda program with a mix of Operaended up singing full time forlunches, coffee trucks, glasses of to some great initiatives and developed theArias, and Music Theatre.Opera Australia, along with Katewine, BBQ, its no wonder this confidence and skills of the young peopleGippsland Opera always ensurewas certainly all of that and more.Amos who likewise has made herpopular event which attracts involved, Cr Reeves said. that there is something forThirty members of Casey Choirprofessional career singing. thousands of people from every Youth Ambassadors are instigators ofeveryone to enjoy and this timeprovided a choral renditionThis concert was also thestate, is unique and proudly positive change for young people in the shire.was no exception. The awardof what we are all so familiarlaunch of Opera By The Lakesdisplays East Gippsland at its very Their mission is to ensure young people arewinning, Casey Choir, conductedwith, which brought a lot ofwhich we are excited to announcebest. engaged and feel valued as citizens in theby Simon Loveless, produced alaughter and kicked off the day towill return Sunday March 19,Tickets are now available from community. I encourage young people tomixed program of choral musicperfection. The choir then went2023, at the stunning venue ofThe Book Orchard Bairnsdale apply and use their interests to help Youththat sounded perfect in the churchon to demonstrate in full, that allNyerimilang Heritage Park. Withor Shire Information Centres in Ambassadors achieve their goals over thedome which resounds with thethe awards they have won, fora stellar line up featuring GuyBairnsdale and Lakes Entrance. Or coming year, Cr Reeves said. most amazing acoustics and thischoral singing are more than wellNoble compere, accompanist,simply ring BOX OFFICE Andrea Applications to join the Youthbrought the audience to their feetdeserved.conductor, Bass Baritone TeddyFord 0409 771 526 and tickets will Ambassadors program are open now. with thundering applause.Simon Loveless, with hisTahu Rhodes, Mezzo Sopranobe posted out to you along with To apply, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/ Gippsland Operas Springtimemusical expertise as theirSally-Anne Russell, the popularyour all the information you need YA2023 Spectacular in St Marys Churchconductor, Adrian Allen thetenor Shanul Sharma, Coloraturafor this great event.ADVERTISEMENTTom McIntosh MPSTATE MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIAPlease contact my office if you require any assistance from the State Government.Office: 1/23 James Street, Pakenham VIC 3810Phone: 5940 5010Email: tom.mcintosh@parliament.vic.gov.au @TomMcIntoshMPAuthored by T McIntosh, Unit 1, 23 James Street, Pakenham.'