Place of Plenty
The 'Place of Plenty' Project emerged as a response to broad community consultations in Toormina, emphasising the need for accessible arts opportunities for young people.
Recognising the power of creative expression in fostering community engagement, this project facilitated avenues for young people to express themselves through music, visual arts, and storytelling. Respecting First Nations perspectives and providing platforms for sharing experiences, the project aimed to foster greater concepts of identity and belonging on Gumbaynggirr country and more specifically in the 2452 area. Moreover, we see artistic expression as a vehicle for the BBYC to amplify their voice and strengthen community connectivity.
The 'Place of Plenty' Project aimed to nurture creativity, encourage participation across different schools, showcase local talents, and foster a vibrant artistic community for young people in the Toormina area.
Co-designed and Multi-phased Approach: The project unfolded through a series of phases, co-designed by the 'Place of Plenty' Project subcommittee. These phases involve a series of artist led workshops and activities, weekly music storytelling and creation at Grow the Music studio, curating an exhibition to showcase art and music projects, all with a focus on co-design, youth participation and community engagement.
Supporting Young Artists: Integral to the project were our community mentors and artists who bring diverse arts-based skills and experiences. These mentors guide and collaborated with young people and the subcommittee, facilitating workshops and joint projects. Through these partnerships, the 'Place of Plenty' Project aimed to foster recognition within local and contemporary art scenes.
Arts Space: The Bongil Bongil Community of Schools and 'Grow the Music' studio, serve as vibrant hubs for young people to connect and explore art-making on a conceptual and material level. It provides a safe and inclusive environment for fostering community and collaboration among young people and local artists.
The final part to the ‘Place of Plenty’ project was the ‘Place of Plenty Showcase and Exhibition’ an event where families, friends, school communities, partners and supporters all showed up for one reason: to celebrate our young people.
The event was alive with music, performance, storytelling, visual art and creativity, all led by some of the most talented young people in our 2452 community. Their confidence, skill and imagination lit up the room and reminded us just how much potential lives right here in our postcode — a view from the stage revealed an audience fully engaged, proud and cheering them on.
The Showcase was more than an event; it was the culmination of months of workshops, creative sessions, planning and co-design. Through the Bongil Bongil Youth Collective and the Bongil Bongil Community of Schools, community organisations, artists and mentors worked side-by-side with young people to explore identity, culture, place and what belonging really looks like in Toormina. Youth-led and deeply place-based, the evening captured the power of young people taking the stage, owning their stories and supporting one another — a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
