ORGANISERS of the Wimmera's National Youth Week events have welcomed strong support for their initiatives.
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About 50 young people attended a gathering by Horsham Nexus Youth Centre and Horsham FReeZA on Thursday.
The first instalment of a two-part holiday program, it featured live music by Wimmera bands Fade in Motion and Makeshift Believers, and DJs Cardiac Chaos and G-Mac.
Horsham Nexus and FReeZA member Brandon Farley, also known as DJ Cardiac Chaos, described the event atmosphere as great.
"Everyone got up and had a little dance," he said.
"Since some kids can't go out of town because their parents are working, it was a great way to chill and have fun.
"That's what youth week is all about - it's a celebration of being young."
The festivities will continue this week, with the second instalment of Thursday Live at Horsham Nexus' Pynsent Street premises.
Band Burning Essence will headline the free event, which runs from noon until 4pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile in Stawell and Ararat, Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network hosted a week-long series of activities.
Youth project officer Sarah Garton said feedback from participants and parents had been fantastic.
"Parents haven't had to think about organising anything for the holidays," she said. "They have just sent the kids to us, and we looked after them."
About 60 people attended an open mic night in Stawell on Monday.
On Tuesday, about 20 people made the most of a games day in Ararat.
"Wednesday was meant to be a skate park day in Stawell, but because of the weather we moved it to the stadium," Miss Garton said.
About 40 budding artists entered works in a youth art display, shown in Ararat on Thursday.
"On Friday, everyone who came to one of the events throughout the week cashed in their National Youth Week badge and, for a gold coin donation, saw The Lego Movie at the Astor Cinema in Ararat," Miss Garton said.
In Hindmarsh Shire, Nhill Library and Dimboola Memorial Secondary College hosted events.