Community News
- intouch Magazine
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Discover what's happening in your local community this August...
FUTURE CHOICES TRANSITION EXPO–SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DIVERSE NEEDS
Navigating life after school can be daunting for any young person—but for students with disability or diverse support needs, the journey comes with added complexity, and just as many opportunities. The Future Choices Transition Expo is here to support and empower that journey.
Held annually in the Hunter and Central Coast regions, these free expos are the only events of their kind in the area, bringing together over 120 exhibitors, interactive workshops, and live entertainment to help young people and their families explore the pathways ahead. The Hunter Expo will be held on Thursday, 7 August (9AM to 1PM), McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow and the Central Coast Expo on Thursday, 28 August (9AM to 1PM), Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi.
Presented by Career Links, a not-for-profit organisation that supports young people as they transition from school to further education and employment, the expos are delivered in collaboration with the National Disability Coordination Officer Program and the NSW Department of Education Support Teachers. The events offer critical information and connections for school leavers, parents, carers, and education professionals.
“Each year the event attracts approximately 1,500 students,” said Career Links CEO, John Purcell.
“Some attend with a school group, others come with their parents or their carers. It’s open to tertiary graduates as well and is free to attend.”
A major highlight in 2025 is the Financial Literacy and Life Skills Workshop Series, which runs throughout the day and addresses the real-world challenges that young people face as they transition to adulthood.
Topics include:
Financial literacy and budgeting
Writing resumes and preparing for job applications
Independent living skills
Navigating Centrelink and community services
Decision-making and planning for future pathways
There will be entertainment provided at each expo. At the Hunter Expo, enjoy Drums Alive by Songbird, a disability support program that combines recreational therapy with the powerful beat of drumming and the rhythm of music, for an amazing brain and body workout. Then, the team from Healthy Change Challenge invites everyone to join them for a Zumba session to experience their fun and empowering community health and fitness program.
The Future Choices Expo is fully accessible and designed with diverse needs in mind. The definition of disability includes physical, intellectual, sensory, learning and psychosocial conditions, as well as chronic medical conditions. Sensory-friendly spaces, including chill-out zones, are available at both events.
To learn more or register for these free expos, visit: www.careerlinks.nsw.edu.au/future-choices.
REGIONAL WRITERS SET TO COMPETE FOR PRESTIGIOUS $5000 FRESH INK PRIZE
One of Australia's most lucrative prizes for emerging regional writers is now open for submissions, offering a significant opportunity for NSW writers outside Sydney to advance their careers.
The Newcastle Writers Festival Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Prize is in its fifth year and continues to make a meaningful impact on the literary landscape. The prize awards the winner $5000 for professional development as well as a coveted week-long residency at Varuna, The Writers' House, in Katoomba.
This year's judging panel features two accomplished authors who bring diverse perspectives to the selection process. Courtney Collins, an author, screenwriter, and producer, is known for her widely praised debut novel, The Burial, which was published in 10 countries and shortlisted for prestigious awards, including the Vogel, the Nita B. Kibble Literary Award, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and the Stella Prize. Her second novel, BIRD, further establishes her literary credentials.
Joining Collins is Natasha Rai, a writer and somatic counsellor who co-hosts the Book Deal podcast, exploring the publication journeys of writers. Her debut novel, An Onslaught of Light, published by Pantera Press, was longlisted for the 2017 Richell Prize, 2018 KYD Unpublished Manuscript award, and highly commended for the 2022 Ultimo Press/Westwords Prize.
The prize's impact is already evident in the success of previous participants. The festival is thrilled that 2022 shortlisted writer Lucy Nelson and 2022 prize winner Alejandra Martinez launched their debut books in May. Martinez is the author of Salsa in the Suburbs, published by Puncher & Wattmann, while Lucy Nelson's short story anthology Wait Here has been published to critical acclaim by Simon & Schuster.
Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom said it was exciting that the prize was having a meaningful impact. "Fresh Ink was born from the uncertainty of the early Covid years and our commitment to support regional writers," she said.
"The festival recognises that regional writers can face obstacles when developing their careers, and we wanted to provide a financial boost as well as some moral support."
Writers living in NSW outside the Sydney area can apply – specific geographic guidelines are provided in the terms and conditions – and they must be aged 18 or older. There is no upper age limit. The deadline for submissions is 8 September, and the winner will be announced at a special event on 25 October at Watt Space Gallery in Newcastle.
For more information, visit www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize.
