The NSW Government is committed to making communities across Western NSW safer and supporting young people. In Western NSW we are working with the communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett to understand support needs for young people.
Free summer activities for young people
The NSW Government funded sport, recreation and cultural activities for young people in Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett over the 2025/26 summer holiday period. Each local council was given a grant of $80,000. Councils worked with local organisations and agencies to run free programs on the ground. This included:
- extended hours and free entry to local pools plus water-based activities
- night bus services in all towns making sure young people got safely home
- extended hours and more activities at youth centres
- healthy meals during structured activities, on buses and at events
- extended existing holiday programs
We are currently reviewing the activities to see what councils and organisations learnt during the program. This is so we can make sure the community benefits from funding. Learn more below about some of the activities that took place in each town.
Summer activities by town
Young people enjoyed PCYC hosted programs including silent discos and BBQ pool events. There was also barefoot bowls, lego days, movie nights, cultural weaving, BlackFit Fitness training and cooking classes. Skateboarding workshops taught kids to learn to skate.
The Yellowbelly Open Studio, in partnership with Maranguka and NSW Police Youth Command, gave Bourke youth a creative outlet.
Families stayed informed through a weekly activity calendar shared each weekend.
Brewarrina’s Memorial Pool saw 80 to 100 people attending daily. Young people made use of extended opening hours and hundreds of pool inflatables.
A structured and supervised school holiday program at the youth centre also offered young people the chance to undertake training courses across a range of areas. Cooking classes and the gym were well attended.
Groups of 10 to 15 youths in Coonamble came together as part of the Coonamble Youth Empowerment Program. Activities focused on self-expression, storytelling, arts and crafts, sport, and small community service projects.
Coonamble’s Youth Champions stream saw young people build leadership and employment readiness skills.
The Youth Centre continued to provide a regular hub for kids to get together.
Walgett’s Kids Summer Fun sessions were a hit with storytelling, movies, games, art, swimming and crayfishing on show.
Summer Fun Colour Runs in Walgett and Lightning Ridge offered water activities, multi-sports and community games. They were part of a wider program offering lots of ways for young people across Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri to get involved.
Understanding service needs
The NSW Government is working side-by-side with local councils, organisations and the community to understand service needs in each town. A priority is on supports for youth engaging in, or at risk of engaging in, crime.
This work will:
- identify gaps and opportunities
- coordinate core services, diversion efforts and therapeutic responses
- develop suitable governance structures
- direct resources where they are needed.
NSW Government place-based response
Learn more about the NSW Government's response across NSW to regional youth crime - especially in rural and regional areas.