Gunida Gunyah was awarded $7200 for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants, Don’t Need Drinks to Dance Project.

The Youth Innovation Grants program is a unique partnership between the ABC and FRRR which enables young people to have a say about the future of regional Australia, and drive real change in their communities.

Each project addresses big issues, with the dance project targeting rural communities where “it can be a struggle to find ways to socialise without the use of alcohol”.

Don’t Need Drinks to Dance is Heywire Youth’s solution for the young people in these communities to see “they don’t need to drink to have a good time”.

Gunida Gunyah will host the fun-filled, youth-led, alcohol and drug-free dance night in April 2016.

The dance will be held in a local park or sports oval, with a 5x5 metre inflatable screen set up to allow dancers to see themselves dancing on the big screen.

Ideas for the event so far include a neon dress up theme, glow sticks and games, including “dance yourself sober”, that will require the entrant to pass a breathalyser test to compete.

Gunida Gunyah is currently looking for local youth aged between eight and 25, who would like to participate in organising the event.

The corporation is hosting a get together at the Gunida Gunyah office on Farrar Road on Thursday, September 24 from 12.30-2pm to brainstorm ideas. A free barbecue lunch will be provided.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.gunidagunyah.org