Local Kids Lead The Way!

Kids Take Over TV Program Shows Mackay Through Young Eyes

Mackay’s own backyard took centre stage this year, with ten enthusiastic young actors setting out to prove that adventure doesn’t have to come with a boarding pass.

The group spent the month of July rediscovering the region’s family-friendly attractions, inviting the community to see familiar places in a new light.

Experience Mackay Through Young Eyes

From the region’s art gallery and local libraries to live football, lush gardens and the Mackay Festival of Arts, the young presenters showcased the breadth of experiences available right across the Mackay region.

Their experiences will launch to the public this week in the new season of Kids Take Over TV, which is a fun and inspiring online travel series where kids aged eight to 12 become the tour guides.

This unique program showcases the best family-friendly destinations across Australia – through the eyes of young adventurers.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the initiative was a wonderful reminder of the richness of Mackay’s community life.

“Our young people have captured the spirit of Mackay beautifully – from our arts and culture to our sporting fields and green spaces,” Mayor Williamson said

“It’s inspiring to see them enjoying these experiences and helping us to showcase them through a new lens,” he said.

“It’s easy to be complacent when you live in a region for many years, but the beauty of having young people front and centre in this series is that their genuine excitement and joy is contagious.

“It makes you really value what we have in our beautiful region and it also helps us to showcase our region to the rest of Australia in a fun, original way.”

One of the young presenters, Archer Finch was blown away by the experience.

“Being part of this series was like having a burst of excitement inside you!” Archer said.

“I felt so important and it was so much fun,” he said.

Mayor Williamson said the project was about more than just highlighting amazing regional experiences.

“It gave these young stars the opportunity to build friendships outside of school, work together as a team and develop valuable skills in communication, presentation and performance,” he said.

“It was a tremendous confidence boost for many of them, and I don’t doubt that we will see more of these young people on stage and screen in the years to come.”

Kids Take Over TV episodes will feature Artspace Mackay, BB Print Stadium and the Mackay Cutters, The Mackay Region Botanic Gardens, DBCT Illuminate and Mackay Regional Council Libraries.

Episodes will drop fortnightly on Mackay Regional Council’s Facebook page and Youtube during the school holidays and will feature young local presenters Harper Semple, Dustin Persson, Dexter Schembri, Millaa Ellis, Natalie Homewood, Isla Muir, Archer Finch, Jules Gaviglio, Ivy Gould, Madison Kennedy and Brayson Oldfield.

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Kids Take Over presenters from left, Natalie Homewood, Harper Semple, Ivy Gould, Isla Muir, Jules Gaviglio, Dustin Schembri, Archer Finch, Dexter Schembri and Brayson Oldfield, with Mayor Greg Williamson and videographer Matt Ferguson. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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