On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that August 12 be declared International Youth Day.

In 2010, International Youth Day will also mark the beginning of the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding (August 12, 2010 – August 11, 2011).

Following the international theme of dialogue and mutual understanding, youth worker Kylie Pratt and community project officer Tracey Lowrey organised a forum so the shire’s youngest residents could have a say in what amenities they would like to have.

“One teenager Christian Clark wrote to council and asked if we could put more jumps down at the skatepark,” Mrs Lowrey said.

“So we decided to organise a forum so all the young people could tell us what they would like to see happen within our shire area.

“And it was good to see a large number of the skateboarders turn up and give us their thoughts and ideas.”

Ms Pratt said the forum was not just about what was needed, but also the positive things they like about Dungog.

“I invited the councillors along so they could meet shire’s leaders and also for them to engage with our youth.

“We also had a slideshow of events that have happened over the past 12 months and a great display of artwork.”