A ONCE graffiti-covered wall in Hervey Bay is set to be transformed into a vibrant showcase of youth creativity and storytelling through the Where I Belong Art Story Wall—a new initiative by the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre (HBNC).

The project invites young people from across the Fraser Coast to share their personal stories and experiences through meaningful artwork, giving them the opportunity to reflect on what it means to belong in their community.

The initiative is part of HBNC’s ongoing commitment to fostering community connection and creative expression.

Each artwork will feature a scannable code linking to a short video or written story by the artist, offering the public a unique, interactive insight into the inspiration behind each piece.

Guiding the project is local artist and experienced facilitator, LeeLee Creative, who will lead a series of free youth workshops in August. 

The sessions will help participants explore their identity and sense of place and convert those stories into visual art to be displayed along the Bideford Street bike path.

LeeLee is passionate about fostering safe and supportive spaces for young people. 

“We want to create spaces that allow them to share their perspectives and start conversations that create change,” said HBNC CEO Tanya Stevenson.

The initiative is being delivered in partnership with Youth Justice, with support from the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Queensland Government.

“Connectedness is feeling a sense of belonging, but the journey to understand how we belong can be difficult for some,” said Chantel Goodwin, Acting Manager of Hervey Bay’s Youth Justice Service Centre.

“We value the voices of young people in Hervey Bay, and we are excited to give young people a creative means of expressing their connection to our community.”

State Member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, added, “The Where I Belong project is a fantastic initiative to engage young people with the creative arts, which has proven social and mental health benefits.”

The Where I Belong Art Story Wall will be unveiled in October 2025. 

Interested participants can collect their wooden canvas from the Neighbourhood Hive between 9am and 1pm on weekdays.

For further details, visit: https://www.hbnc.com.au/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=545273b2-a2f8-4a0f-a6a0-be6862c3185c