TIRED of hearing youngsters complain about "boring" Toodyay, forward-thinking Shire employee Kristee Jolly decided the time was ripe to launch a school holiday program with something for everyone.
The 23-year-old Shire of Toodyay executive support officer contacted Inclusion WA and set the wheels in motion.
"Back then (December) we had nothing for kids to do in the school holidays and a police presentation to council showed we had the highest youth crime rate in the Wheatbelt at that time; it was quite a spike," she said.
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READ NOWThe former Toodyay District High School student attributes the success of the new school holiday program and subsequent crime reduction to engaging youth with their local community groups.
A host of action-packed and alternative school holiday attractions begin on July 13, with full details available on the Shire of Toodyay website.
"In the past we've offered sport and recreational-type activities, but following feedback, this time we're offering a wider variety of attractions like tree-planting, a recycling art project, dance and Catch Music," Ms Jolly said.
The free Catch Music session is for all ages and takes place on July 13, noon-1.30pm, at Toodyay Memorial Hall.
Musicians from the Act-Belong-Commit Midland Catch Music session will host the showcase, following which a weekly term session will be led by local musician and music teacher David Flowers.
"This is such an exciting initiative for Toodyay," Ms Jolly said.
"We have nothing that is similar to this and I see Catch Music adding great value to our entire community."
Ms Jolly's commitment to helping children and youth has earned her a place in the line-up for a child safety employee award from the Constable Care Child Safety Foundation.