By Adam Coleman

Randwick City Council in Sydney is inviting children and young people from the area to participate in a unique bus painting project aiming to improve young people's involvement with the community.

Coordinated by Randwick City Council and other agencies, the programm which runs over three days from July 9 to 11,  will involve children, young people and artists collaborating to paint two State Transit buses with designs that reflect the area’s youth culture.

“One reason that this unique project was created is to help tackle the recent anti-social behaviour displayed by young people on buses,” said Mayor of Randwick, Paul Tracey.
“Our goal is to help improve the social connection of children and young people to the community and to service providers, and increase their understanding of the importance of the bus service to the many members of our community who depend upon buses."

Several schools took part in the original design contest for the project.  After three days  “of painting and fun”, the winners of the design contest will be joined by other young people in painting a general design and an Aboriginal design on two 12.5 metre buses.

“When the work is finished, the buses will be seen on a daily basis by thousands of people living in Sydney’s eastern suburbs,” Cr Tracey said.
“By fostering connections to community and to service providers we’re aiming to reduce the number of issues involving young people in our area. I encourage all children and young people to get involved, simply by turning up and joining in.”

The agencies involved in the project include Randwick City Council, State Transit Port Botany Depot, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the Department of Housing, Eastern Suburbs PCYC, The Shack Youth Services, La Pa Bummers Youth Haven, Maroubra Police, the Department Sport and Recreation and South Cares.

Buses will be painted on Monday July 9, Tuesday July 10 and Wednesday July 11 at two locations, Arthur Byrne Reserve in Maroubra Beach and Yarra Oval in La Perouse.