BYT are celebrating the news that they will be a recipient of a Splendour in The Grass Community donation.  This will go towards their current production "Broken" which focuses on domestic violence issues.

As part of this production Director Lisa Apostolides has teamed up with local celebrity Mandy Nolan and Neroli Jager from the Mullum Women's Resource Service to create a panel and community conversation at the Byron Theatre on September 12th starting at 7pm. Representatives from the police, Domestic Violence specialists and related organisations will be present to share their experiences and findings with a view of how we can improve services and support for victims.

BYT members have almost completed their research phase for the production but would love to encourage more community members to complete their anonymous survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FJ3PWLY

They will also be engaging 2 young local artists to create the backdrop and other skilled young people to do sound and lighting.

The production will go to schools in late November.

Another exciting event will be the LGBTIAQ+ youth social at the YAC on November 12th.

BYT member Raani Nichols was successful in her Small Change grant application to Byron Council to create this and Lisa was able to support it with a successful application for a small grant from the Mental Health Association NSW.  This particular grant is sponsored by ACON, who BYT have had a long standing relationship with through the annual PASH conference.

With community member Stephen Allkins on board to assist with DJ training as well as Lismore group Tropical Fruits and Tweed group  Allsorts providing decor and lighting, the inaugural Northern Rivers LGBTIAQ+ youth social looks set to be a HUGE fun event.

We are currently looking for a name for the event, so please get in touch with Lisa if you have any inspiration or want to get involved.  

During all of this some BYT members are rehearsing for 2 events where they will perform their mental health production Mind Made Me.  For the second year running they have been invited to be a featured part of the Richmond Valley Mental Health expo.  This year it will be held in Ballina on October 28th.  Before that on September 22nd, also in Ballina is an interesting event where young people will be engaged in discussing a range of health issues.  BYT will present a selection of scenes and this will all go toward informing NSW Youth Health Policy.

Fingers crossed we get our much needed funding to enable us to do 2 important productions next year on Youth Suicide and Homelessness.  Please follow the link below and vote for us. If you wish to join BYT or want to support us please call Lisa 0403023693.

https://www.sccu.com.au/50-year-celebrations/156-community-grants/274-community-grants