Shockwave WINS ‘Best Festival/Event’ at 2011 Outback Tourism Qld Awards!
Shockwave Festival was awarded ‘Best Festival/Event ‘ for 2011 at the Outback Tourism Queensland Awards on Saturday night!
The festival is the result of a long-term partnership between Human Ventures and the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and was fittingly awarded in Shockwave’s hometown of Blackall in Central Western Queensland.
‘Shockwave is a labour of love for young people in the West, it’s become their favourite opportunity to gather and express their individuality, leadership and creativity as one community, not individual towns,’ said Shockwave Producer, Brooke Newall.
The idea behind the festival began in 2008 with a small group of young people dreaming about a music festival in the West ‘kind of like the Big Day Out’. Through the facilitation and leadership of Human staff, financial and in-kind backing of the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and support of the local community, young people were offered the opportunity to bring Shockwave to life, and they did.
Shockwave began in 2009 with 65 young people participating from just 3 towns. Now in it’s third year, Shockwave 2011 attracted 500 people from 21 communities in Queensland and as far away as Shepparton in Victoria. 30 young people were paid as producers, coordinators and performers while over 150 were given creative skills development and regional presentation opportunities as part of the festival.
‘I’ve been involved with Shockwave from the start and I’ve seen what it’s done for the confidence of young people out here, including myself…we get the chance to work with incredible professionals and learn valuable skills we can apply to our future careers,’ said Shockwave Young Producer, Claire Rawlins from Longreach.
Shockwave is forging a new wave of tourism for Outback Queensland ‘youth tourism’ opening up opportunities for young visitors and their families to experience the region, learn new skills and make valuable connections with the local community.
‘Shockwave provides a unique and exciting opportunity for young people in regional Queensland to take charge of social activities in their area by developing their own cultural events program,’ said Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Ms Jan Jarratt after attending Shockwave 2011.
Shockwave Festival for 2012 is set for the weekend of May 26 and 27 at the Blackall Memorial Hall and Skate Park. A group of young coordinators are working hard with their mentors, planning the event already.
If you are interested in participating in this award winning event for 2012 by providing sponsorship, transport, supervision, volunteers and more please contact Shockwave Producer, Brooke Newall on brooke.newall@human.org.au or 0408 433 279.
