Organisers of the Townsville Vibe Alive have declared the two day youth festival an outstanding success, with more than 2,200 young people attending from the region.
It was the second time Vibe Alive has visited Townsville. Students competed in a range of activities, in teams of 8-12 students. Teams came from as far away as Cairns, Mt Isa, Charters Towers and Ayr.
“We had all the activities running throughout every round due to overwhelming support for the festival,” event producer Mayrah Sonter says.
“There were seven activities to compete in including indigenous games, performance, painting, and sports. Our role models couldn’t believe the talent of the students.
“Throughout the festival there was this amazing spirit amongst the community and the students. All the Vibe Alive crew and role models came away from Townsville feeling a real sense that we had just witnessed one of our best Vibe Alive festivals yet.”
The festival began with an opening ceremony attended by the Queensland Premier’s representative, Member for Townsville, Senator Mandy Johnstone. The festival was also held in the week to coincide with Mabo Day.
“Gail Mabo was one of our role models at the Vibe Alive festival and to have her there, at Townsville’s Vibe Alive on such a significant week, was really special. We also had local girl, well-known hip hop artist Dizzy Doolan, as one of our role models which was a great experience for the local students,” Mayrah says.
The festival was full of highlights, including a visit from North Queensland’s Cowboys, the unveiling of the Preamble School’s Art Project by Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Curtis Pitt; and the Song Nation Music Project which screened the hip-hop film clips made by four local schools – the Ayr State School, St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, the Heatley State School, Townsville and the Shalom Christian College, Townsville during the festival.
“The Vibe Alive cup was won by Team Yugan from Charters Towers Central State School however all the students competing in all of the festival’s sections should be congratulated for their teamwork and sportsmanship,” Mayrah says.
Vibe Alive is funded by the Australian Government’s Community Festivals for Education Engagement program, designed to encourage school attendance, retention and healthy lifestyles for all young Australians, in particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
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