Glen Innes Severn Council’s Youth Booth has again been recognised among NSW’s leading youth programs, with its Youth Week 2026 program named a finalist in the NSW Youth Week Awards.
The nomination is the third state-level recognition for The Youth Booth and the council’s youth-led initiatives in less than two years, highlighting the impact of programs developed with and for local young people.
The Youth Booth is a finalist in the Small and Sensational category, which recognises outstanding Youth Week programs delivered by councils with youth populations of fewer than 10,000.
General Manager Bernard Smith said the recognition reflected the strength of the community’s investment in young people.
“This is not a big-city program with big-city resources. This is our young people, our Youth Workers and our community partners creating something that is being noticed across NSW. That is something Glen Innes Severn should be incredibly proud of,” he said.
The latest nomination follows previous state-level recognition in the 2025 Local Government Week Awards, where The Youth Booth was named a finalist for Best Small Council with the Most Outstanding Youth Week Program, and the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, where the council’s Youth Services team received Highly Commended in the Community Development – councils under 100,000 population category.
Ahead of Youth Week, 48 young people participated in planning sessions, surveys and consultation activities to help shape the program. Their input led to three events — Popcorn & Pixels, Skate. Create. Celebrate., and My Culture. My Pride — each designed to give young people opportunities to connect, create, participate and celebrate their identities.
More than 160 registrations were recorded across the three events, supporting social connection, creativity, inclusion, cultural expression and activation of local community spaces. Young people involved in planning formed the Youth Crew, helping coordinate and deliver activities throughout the week.
In May, Mayor Margot Davis and Smith visited The Youth Booth to recognise the young people who contributed to Youth Week 2026. Youth Crew members received certificates acknowledging their leadership, commitment and contribution to the community.
Smith said the repeated state-level recognition demonstrated the value of giving young people a genuine voice in programs designed for them.
“The Youth Crew and The Youth Booth participants have shown what young people can do when they are trusted, supported and given the opportunity to lead. They have helped create a program that reflects their ideas, their culture, their friendships and their community,” he said.
“To see that recognised across three state-level awards programs is outstanding. Council is incredibly proud of the young people involved, our Youth Workers and the community partners who continue to make The Youth Booth such a success,” Smith said.
Winners of the 2026 NSW Youth Week Awards will be announced at the official awards ceremony later this year.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.