Local arts organisation FLOAT is collaborating with the East Gippsland Winter Festival to launch ‘Connected Gippsland’, a project aimed at nurturing the region’s youth through creative eco-stewardship.
Backed by a VicHealth ‘Growing Healthy Communities’ Grant secured alongside Regen Gippsland, the project explores how a renewed sense of belonging can drive positive change. The funding will directly support a four-day itinerary in Lakes Entrance from July 6 to 9, positioning young people aged 15 to 25 as co-designers of a thriving regional future.
The program officially commences on Monday, July 6, at the GLaWAC facility in Kalimna with a public screening of IMAGINE, a powerful animated film designed to expand conventional thinking. The opening day features author Jack Manning Bancroft, who will bring his storytelling and puppet magic to a community-wide conversation addressing what a healthy East Gippsland looks like.
The festival collaboration also marks the launch of ‘Walk + Imagine + Create’, a tailored youth experience where participants will help reimagine regional tracks and trails as engaging spaces for young people.
Over the four days, the group will transform a local trail into a living demonstration site, connecting health, ecology, and creativity.
The comprehensive four-day schedule includes:
– Monday, July 6 (10am – 3pm): IMAGINE film screening and public imagination design conversation with Jack Manning Bancroft at GLaWAC, Kalimna.
– Tuesday, July 7 (10am – 4pm): ‘Walk + Imagine + Create’ youth and artist walk from the Lakes Entrance Slipway Sheds to Bullock Island. Participants will gather materials and audio with FLOAT artists and meet local scuba divers to inspect marine debris recovered from beneath the jetty.
– Wednesday, July 8 (10am – 4pm): A youth-led co-design workshop at the Slipway and Iceworks precincts to prototype trail solutions utilising First Nations wisdom, nature, and imagination.
– Thursday, July 9 (10am – 4pm): An extended workshop day at the Slipway for participants looking to dig deeper into the creative and practical prototyping process.
As spaces for the youth program are strictly limited, interested participants aged 15 to 25 are urged to register early. For more information or to secure a spot, contact the FLOAT team directly.
