Eloise Maree
Name: Eloise Maree
State/Territory: QLD
Occupation: Theatre-maker
Star sign: Cancer
Shoe size: 8 3/4
Favourite hobby: Piano
Why did you get involved with NYW and why is it important to you?
I became involved with NYW as a curious individual and a strong advocator for youth. It is important because we live in an extremely youth-driven culture wherein perceptions and encouraged pre-nostalgic consumerism are not everything they should be. There is a growing amount of mental illness in youth and as a result, restlessness. National Youth Week is a celebration but beyond this it is shrouded in important messages and facilitated events that move beyond a lot of the negativity.
Why should young people get involved in NYW and how can they get involved?
It is completely up to the individual whether or not they feel like participating in NYW activities, but if they would like to get out of the house, away from the computer [although not in all cases!] and engage in some fun, thought-provoking and entertaining activities I would recommend it! There are a bunch of competitions they can enter both nationally or if they’re in QLD on a state level that have some rad prizes. There also should a bunch of activities going on locally during the week. There is a launch party AND you can even hold your own event. This could include you putting on a theatre show in your garage and inviting the neighbourhood, coordinating a macaroon-making workshop, hosting a dance party in your living room or organizing a cake fight – the options are limited only by your imagination! Then you can list your event on the national and local youth week website and see who comes along.
What are you most looking forward to for NYW 2012?
I’m most looking forward to flying around QLD to see the fantastic events being put on by youth and community workers alike. I’m looking forward to being at the very heart of Youth Week and what it stands for.
If you could plan any event for NYW, what would it be and why?
Oh, definitely a giant cake fight on a national scale. The streets would be filled with the smell of rising cake batter before youth would take to the streets – it would be a cocoa powder and whipped cream carnage.
What’s your hidden talent?
Hidden talent... well, you can’t tell anyone, but I do a mean Alicia Keys song tribute at karaoke nights. You’d have to wrestle to get the mic back off me. LOVE IT.
If you could, which NTC competition would you enter and why?
Definitely ‘Rock It’ – seriously. Who doesn’t want to be a rock star?
How do you imagine, create and inspire?
Definitely through the theatre I make. I’m currently working on a show to put on in an alleyway in Brisbane. It’s going to be gritty and very real. Magic realism is a huge influence of mine at the moment – a genre that certainly requires a lot of imagination. I’d like to think that the show will be inspirational; not in a trying-to-force-a-message-down-your-throat way but in the sense that it is going to be the story of a group of people that are often either idealised or condemned and not often explored with complexity [you guessed it- youth].
If you had only $10 left, what would you spend it on and why?
I’d get myself to the local farmers markets and buy lots of fresh produce- the only place where you can get a decent amount of food for $10!
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
I can roll my stomach- both ways. This took a lot of hard training in the shower for many years during primary school and it has definitely paid off.
How can the Youth of today be (more) active in their communities?
There are two sides to this question – one errs towards activism and the other which speaks to being a strong part of your community. I think the key to being active is a combination of passion and effort. If there is an issue you are passionate about, then brainstorm around the idea and come up with your own unique way of tackling it or join a group who already are. There are so many young entrepreneurs doing incredible things in this way- Chris Raine of Hello Sunday Morning and Ehon Chan of Soften the F*ck Up spring to mind, and there is always plenty of room for more. If, however you are more interested in becoming a strong part of your local community, I would suggest speaking to your grandparents for a start. They grew up in an era when community had a much stronger presence and would have a lot of insight to give as to how you can become a better player. We are growing up in quite a disconnected society, especially in capital cities and there has been a tangible loss of community as a result. It’s small things like having conversations with your neighbours, babysitting their children, lending them eggs or sugar when they run out, becoming involved in community events and supporting your local area and people that builds an active presence in a community.