Pound the drums, make a noise

Professional drummer Fred Nii Addo leads the African drumming workshop. 183382_06 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Having a go is second nature for Lyndale Secondary College student Zohre.

She was among 200 Year 10 students from 11 Greater Dandenong Schools who took a fun look at resilience and self-care at a Youth Summit at Springvale Town Hall on 31 July.

They took part in exuberant African drumming, stretched into yoga and drama, and got a pep-talk from mental health professional Bryan Jeffrey and motivational speaker Shabnam Safa.

Zohre says the lessons accord with what her parents have always told her.

“I reckon just try things out and don’t be afraid.

“You don’t have to be afraid of doing something wrong.

“You can make mistakes. You can just go for it.”

The theme of this year’s summit run by Greater Dandenong Council was ‘Better Together’.

Its activities promoted resilience, community connectedness, identity and belonging.

The council says the ideas generated by the young participants will help shape its future policies and programs.