Ballarat YMCA is set to party along with 350 other YMCA centres across Australia as the international YMCA
celebrates its 170th Birthday next week.
There will be loads of activities happening in the first week of June which has been declared Y Week!
Things are happening at each of our YMCA Ballarat managed services, some for the general public and some for our
supporters and users including:
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Free Pool Party
o On Sunday 1 June at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre from 2 – 4pm people can enjoy free
entry to the pool for a fun pool party. There will be pool games, balloons and party hats!
Open Session Bus Tour
o On Tuesday 3 June from 3 – 4.30pm members of the public are invited to join our YMCA Bus Tour to
see firsthand the impact YMCA programs are having on our local community. We’ll visit a number of
YMCA managed services.
Delacombe Community Morning Tea
o The local community is invited to celebrate Y Week at a morning tea event on Thursday 5 June at
11am at Delacombe Community Hub, Nandiriog Drive, Delacombe.
Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle members ‘birthday’ breakfast
o On Friday 6 June, members are invited to celebrate Y Week with ‘members breakfast’ held in the
Aquatic Centre café from 7am – 8.30am.
Activities for our supporters and users
o Afternoon tea parties are being held at our 40 kindergarten services across the state and our after
school care venues in Ballarat.
o Parties are also being held at Timboon Stadium, Camperdown Stadium and Cobden Indoor Pool;
services currently managed by Ballarat YMCA.
June 6 marks the day of the official founding of the YMCA in England by founder, George Williams, in 1844 and this is
the first year in Australian history that the international birthday will be celebrated nationally.
Ballarat YMCA CEO Mal Healey says at our YMCA we focus on connecting health and happier communities by
delivering programs for healthy living, youth development and social impact.
The Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Australia, Ron Mell, said the YMCA had come a long way.
“The Y was initially for young men but now welcomes everyone, with a focus here in Australia on healthy living,
empowering young people and social impact,” said Mell.
“Y week is a celebration of all the good things that come from being part of the world wide YMCA.”
During Y Week Australians are also invited to sign the global YMCA Movement’s declaration to Stand Up for Young
People at http://challenge.ymca.int/ To find out more about your nearest YMCA birthday party please visit
www.ourybirthday.org.au
Video: Watch a birthday message from YMCA Australia Chief Executive Ron Mell and the Secretary General of the
World Alliance Rev Johan Eltvik here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL1FGFwwUxk&feature=youtu.be
Left: YMCA Australia CEO Ron
Mell gets in the birthday spirit!
Right: Ballarat YMCA CEO Mal
Healey preparing for Y Week!
For any further information contact:
Carlee Grant
Public Relations Coordinator
Ballarat YMCA
P: 0407 048 904
[email protected]