By Tanya Steele
In a win for youth across the Ranges, the Dandenong Ranges Youth Market has recently received a small grant from the Yarra Ranges Council that will aid their cause.
The community market dedicated to boosting young entrepreneurs will use a small grant from the council to improve the accessibility on-site ahead of their Mother’s Day event in May.
1st Belgrave Scout parent, volunteer and organiser Rachael Vautier said they will be using the grant to hire a minibus to improve accessibility to their market, located at the Belgrave Scout Hall.
“Street parking is limited, so thanks to a small grant from Yarra Ranges Council, we will have a free bus looping from Belgrave Train Station to the market,” she said.
“There is a huge car park at the station that market goers can take advantage of – or hop on public transport to get to the station. The market is also only a 15 minute walk from the station for those who prefer.”
The grant will also fund a local education attraction, the Lizard Wizard, banners and BBQ supplies for the day.
“The Lizard Wizard is a popular educational attraction and scouts will be putting on a sausage sizzle,” said Ms Vautier.
The scouts have hosted two previous markets and Ms Vautier said they have been very well received by both stallholders and market attendees.
Originally the scouts had held their own youth market and decided to expand into a bigger idea, inviting kids from all over to take part as vendors.
Kids aged 10 to 18 showcased their craftsmanship, creativity, and performances at the market, having spent months preparing their items for the event.
The third Dandenong Ranges Youth market is scheduled to fall on 4 May from 10am to 4pm and will have around 30 stallholders.
“The market is an amazing opportunity for local youth to have a go. Please come and support them,” said Ms Vautier.
“We have scheduled the market the week before Mother’s Day and there will be lots of gorgeous treasures to find,” she said.
The market will be held at the Belgrave Scout Hall at 28 Station St Belgrave with limited street parking.
There will be a free bus looping from Belgrave Train Station to the market on the day and the Scouts will also have two or three spaces marked off for disabled parking in their driveway. Please note that the driveway is not flat.
