Youthtown’s time capsule to be sealed at Special Celebration

Youthtown’s time capsule to be sealed at a Special Celebration

A commemorative time capsule featuring items symbolising ‘what represents youth today’ will be showcased and sealed at Youthtown’s final 80 Years Young celebration at Nelson Street on Saturday 1 December.

This youth-led piece of history is part of Youthtown’s milestone 80th birthday activities that recognise past achievements and a continuing focus on connecting with today's youth.

Young people from each of Youthtown’s eight regional branches have contributed to the time capsule. The final items to be enclosed have been chosen by Youthtown’s Auckland Central Youth Squad, and will be presented to Youthtown CEO, Keith Thorpe at the birthday event.

The Youthtown time capsule will then be formally sealed by MP for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye at a formal presentation during the 80 Years Young special celebration. The contents will not be revealed again until Youthtown’s next big milestone, its 100th birthday in 2032.

Thorpe says he is delighted to be completing the 80 year celebrations at their founding branch Nelson Street, and to bring to a close a year of celebrations with the sealing of the time capsule project. “We are one of New Zealand’s oldest charities but despite being 80 and having an impressive history, we are youthful! Our focus is on youth development and that will never change.”

“It’s been an exciting year and I’m thrilled we’ve had an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved for New Zealand youth in the last 80 years.”

Along with the final contributions to the time capsule, the birthday event celebrations will be a showcase of Youthtown activities, programmes and its heritage game, basketball. The basketball tournament pays tribute to Youthtown’s significant role in the development of the sport and players since the early 80’s, many of whom have gone on to become professional players.

The tournament will start with a play off between the Youthtown Legends – the old boys of Youthtown who used to shoot hoops at Nelson Street. Then the Entertainers, also many former Youthtowners, will take on fellow sporting superstars and musicians. The celebrity teams will include players from the Tall Blacks, Breakers and Warriors, leading music guru’s including Che Fu, King Kapisi, Young Sid and Home Brew’s Tom Scott, as well as The Crowd Goes Wild Andrew Mulligan and James McOnie, amongst many other heavyweight personalities.

Youthtown will also be demonstrating some of the many activities they run including power lifting, a gym display and a kayaking and snorkelling demo in the pool. With basketball spot prizes, raffles and refreshments on hand, there will be plenty happening to keep everyone entertained.

Youthtown 80 Years Young Special Celebration: Saturday 1 December 2012, 10:00 am to 3.30 pm at 68 Nelson Street, Auckland.

About Youthtown

Youthtown is a non-profit organisation set up to enrich the lives of young New Zealanders by providing them with opportunities for fulfilling physical, social and creative experiences. Since first opening its doors in 1932, Youthtown has grown and evolved into one of New Zealand’s leading youth development organisations.

Youthtown currently has branches at the North Shore, Auckland Central, Panmure, Papakura, Taupo, Upper Hutt, Oamaru and Christchurch.

Youthtown’s purpose is simple – to build a brighter future for every young New Zealander.

Website: http://www.youthtown.org.nz/

ENDS

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