Youth voices shines at Warruwi Culture Camp

The second Warruwi Culture Camp, held from 21–23 August, left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
Born from the voices of young people themselves, the idea for the camp first emerged at the 2023 West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit, where 50 youth from Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Minjilang, Warruwi and Jabiru came together to share their vision for the future. 
One strong message came through clearly: a desire for more On-Country learning and deeper connections with culture, family and community.
This year’s camp was the result of that vision. Over three days, 221 participants, including youth, families, Elders and stakeholders, came together to learn, share and celebrate culture. 
The camp proved to be more than just a gathering - it became a powerful tool for building connections between young people, schools, families and community leaders, paving the way for stronger and more vibrant communities across West Arnhem.
The success of the camp was made possible through the incredible support and collaboration of many partners.
Kia from Red Lily Health worked with young people on health, wellbeing and the impacts of smoking.
Bruce Reid, Red Lily Clinic Manager, and his team conducted vital health checks with children, including immunisations, iron levels, eyesight, height and weight.
Warruwi School, Michael Stedman and his team, and Gunbalanya Meats provided shirts, mugs and caps to recognise the young participants who showed leadership and commitment.
PowerWater supported On-Country learning, working alongside the Mardbalk Rangers to deliver valuable two-way knowledge sharing between Balanda and Arrakpi/Bininj.
Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation, Arujurumu Store Committee, and Andy Ralph from NLC all played an important role in making the camp possible.
Elders and Leaders in Warruwi gave their time generously, guiding young people through cultural activities and Dreamtime storytelling.
The Warruwi Local Authority contributed $5,000 towards the camp, ensuring its success.
And behind the scenes, Misman and the West Arnhem Regional Council team worked tirelessly to set up a safe and welcoming camp environment for everyone.
The impact of this collaboration was clear: young people left the camp not only with new knowledge and cultural pride, but also with excitement for the future. Many shared that they “cannot wait until next year.”
The Warruwi Culture Camp stands as a testament to what can be achieved when youth voices are heard and whole communities come together to support them.