Port Hedland Youth Engagement Coordinator Claudia Bailey volunteered to support the Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation over the course of six weeks, providing youth in the region with fun, active and safe activities during the school holidays.

In total, over 80 kids attended the program at some point over the school holiday period, with Julyardi staff and other key stakeholders doing their part to supply food, clean clothing, support staff and more.

Pilbara youth participated in a variety of fun outdoor activities including fishing and swimming, whilst also engaging with the region’s Elders who passed on their own wisdom and guidance to the kids.

Bailey praised Julyardi and the entire program for its significant impact promoting positive, healthy and active lifestyles to young people.

“I was able to see first-hand the positive impact the program has on the kids involved and the wider community. It’s a fantastic program that’s all about youth engagement which is a huge focus for the Club,” she said.

“It’s all about surrounding the kids with positive role models that can teach them life skills in a fun, active and safe environment."

This isn’t the first time the West Coast Eagles and Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation have collaborated through youth engagement programs and activations, with Bailey highlighting the shared goal in creating a positive environment for future generations.

“It’s important to support a local stakeholder like Julyardi that has such a profound impact on the community in connecting with Elders and kids, and that’s a reciprocal relationship as they also support me when I run programs up here too.

“We’ve both got the same goals at the end of the day in wanting positive outcomes for the next generation.”

Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation Service Manager, Amie Lochead, said the feedback from the participating youth was overwhelmingly positive, and mentioned how vital it was having various stakeholders and volunteers such as Claudia involved in the program.

“It was really great to have Claudia’s help over the six-week period, the kids know her really well and she managed to enrol a few kids as well which was fantastic.

“We have children who are as young as six and as old as 15 on the program so it’s great to have someone like Claudia with a shared vision in supporting a wide range of youth from the Pilbara community.

“The whole school holiday program is about building a strong community, keeping kids safe, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

The West Coast Eagles will continue to work alongside Julyardi and other key stakeholders to create a better future for young people in the Pilbara region.

Watch the fun of this year’s Julyardi School Holiday program below.