Geraldton youth gather for Day in the Laneway to showcase their passions and creativity with a market

In celebration of Youth Week, Geraldton’s young entrepreneurs gathered together to host their own market stalls on the weekend. A Day in the Laneway was inspired by 22-year-old Lee Nelson who saw something similar in Perth and thought it would be a good idea to bring to Geraldton. “I went to Perth and I thought this would be great in Geraldton so I tried to bring it back here and council jumped on board with it,” she said. Ms Nelson was down at the markets selling her felt jewellery that she had made herself, much like many of the other stallholders that were showing off their creativity and passions. Young conversationist Paige Kirby said the event was “great for young people to get their passions out.” “I’m selling Geraldton marine life through my artwork, my artwork is based off conservation,” she said. “All of my cards are 100 per cent recyclable.” Mother and daughter duo Anne-Marie and Autumn Hopkinson used the markets as an opportunity to grow their home headband business to locals and tourists. “It’s been really successfully, lots of locals and lots of new faces,” Anne-Marie Hopkinson said. “I love that the city is supportive of the youth of Geraldton and I think it is a great way to use the space . . . I like that we are supporting lots of local youth and especially youth with disabilities.” With this year being such a success, youth development officer for the City of Greater Geraldton, Lydia Young said the event had already been marked in the calendar for next year. “We have already locked it in, we want it to be every year and during Youth Week, it seems like a perfect way to celebrate young people,” she said. “I think it’s so exciting to see young entrepreneurs all together in one space and giving them an opportunity to showcase what they are doing.”