Early In 2012 our then Whyalla Musicians Reunion Committee was approached by Mission Australia Whyalla to assist them with staging a small concert featuring young Whyalla musicians. The event was to be the finale event for Youth Week 2012. This forged a relationship that proved that two quite dissimilar groups could bring together its strengths and expertise for a common goal. Although initially the two groups had quite different opinions on the style the event should take, it was eventually agreed that there was a need for a back to basics; acoustic type event.

For six weeks prior to the 2012 event, the reunion committee would meet every Wednesday night at Mission Australia’s facility, to mentor and coach the young musicians in staging the event and their performance. During the mentoring program, the emphasis was not only on performance, but also providing the opportunity for these young musicians to ‘own’ their event, by way of developing their guidelines or rules, program for the evening and professional approach. The reunion committee collectively donated 200 hours of their time and experience to take these performers through their mentoring program and prepare them for (in some cases) their first performance in front of an audience.

The showcase event held at Whyalla’s the Left Hand Club , was very well received and proved successful, by not only being professionally run by these young artists, but giving them the opportunity to work with professional people and production equipment.  The success of this event was not only noted locally but also at the State and National Levels of Mission Australia.

Based on the success of the 2012 Whyalla Youth Week Finale Event, Mission Australia was successful in obtaining funding to stage the States Youth Week 2013 launch event.  This was a huge vote in confidence for the Mission Australia Whyalla staff and the working relationship it had developed with the now Whyalla Music Association Inc.

For nine weeks prior to the 2013 event, the Whyalla Music Association committee  would meet every Wednesday night at Mission Australia’s facility, to mentor and coach the young musicians.  The mentoring program that was developed for 2012 was modified based on the feedback it received to improve it for the 2013 cohort of Youth performers.  

The Youth Week Launch Event for 2013, was a much larger event and was held in the main hall of Whyalla’s Recreation Centre and was attended by a crowd 700-800. There were many and varied activities throughout the day culminating in the Youth Week Concert.

The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed at this event, was a credit to all involved.

With the Whyalla Music Association mentors donating about 250 hours of their time and experience to this event, it has again proved to be a positive collaboration for both organisations.

Since 2014 Whyalla Music Association has continued to support National Youth Week with its Youth Music Mentoring Program after being egnaged by the Whyalla City Council.