OPTUS GRANT HELPS GUYRA YOUTH CAPTURE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The Hub at Guyra in New South Wales’ Northern Tablelands will celebrate the success of its inaugural youth photography course with an exhibition this Thursday 28 March, with funding of $6,138 from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program.

The ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program is supporting 15 local students through a four week professional digital imaging class. Optus has also provided funding for three digital SLR cameras which were awarded to students at the Guyra Show Photo Competition. The students’ work will be showcased at a photography exhibition at the Hub at Guyra.

The Hub at Guyra is a not-for-profit organisation, assisting the community with information and referral services including personal development opportunities for youth. Jess Sisson, Youth Coordinator at The Hub at Guyra, said, “There is a real need to empower disengaged youth in Guyra and the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program has helped these young people learn new skills, express themselves creatively and share their story.

“We’re already seeing stand out results with our students taking first, second and third place at the Guyra Show photo competition last month. Thanks to Optus we’re able to create our own digital photography exhibition, giving the students another chance to show off their great work to the community.”

Helen Maisano, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility at Optus said, “We’re delighted to give young people in Guyra an opportunity to express their creativity through technology and develop a new skill set they can put on their resume. Optus sees a real community benefit in investing in The Hub at Guyra which is empowering disengaged youth to reconnect with society and reach their full potential in life.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Connecting Communities Grants program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help to build social inclusion and reconnect disengaged youth in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Jess Sisson and participants of the photography course will be at The Hub at Guyra photography exhibition this Thursday to showcase the results of the course including work by the Guyra Show competition winners.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Thursday 28 March 4-6pm
WHERE: The Hub at Guyra, 147 Bradley Street, Guyra
WHY: Opening night of The Hub at Guyra Photography Exhibition and a chance to interview participants
ATTENDING: Jess Sisson, Youth Coordinator, participants of the course and Eric Albina, Optus Franchise Business Exec, Country NSW.

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit https://www.optus.com.au/shop/aboutoptus/communitygrants.

Media contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505