Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2022..

Your World Your Way Youth Photography Competition Closes 27th January 2023 C entral Coast Council Youth Services have launched a biannual photography competition, Your World Your Way, aimed at young people, aged 12-24, who live, work or study on the Central Coast. Young people are being encouraged to take their favourite artistic snaps over the summer period and enter the Your World Your Way Youth Photography Competition. Participants in the competition do not need to be a photographer or field expert. The photos submitted simply should be a representation of their daily lives on the Central Coast. The competition has been inspired by the Youth Strategy survey which found, 78% of the 1,600 responses received, indicated Central Coast young people wanted to see themselves reflected in advertising material. Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said opportunities such as this competition acknowledges the creative youth on the Coast and their talents and interests.“Your World Your Way, ensures images for young people are taken by young people. Photos submitted will also be used by the Youth Services team to 38 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2022 Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs harvested less than 14 days after germination. They are usually about 1-3 inches long and come in a rainbow of colours, which has made them popular in recent years as garnishes with chefs. They can be grown from many different types of seeds: Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, radish, rocket, lettuce, endive, chicory, radicchio, dill, carrot, fennel, celery, garlic, onion, leek, quinoa, swiss chard, beet, spinach, melon, cucumber and squash. Microgreens require slightly less warm and humid conditions than sprouts do, and only Microgreens Pack a Nutritional Punch M icrogreens are flavourful and can easily be incorporated into your diet. They are very nutritious and may even reduce your risk of certain diseases. They are easy to grow at home, and a cost-effective way to boost nutrient intake.

2. Sprinkle the seed of your choice on top of the soil as evenly as possible. 3. Lightly mist your seeds with water, cover your container with a plastic lid. Check on your tray daily and mist water as needed to keep the seeds moist. 4. A couple of days after the seeds have germinated, you may remove the plastic lid to expose them to light. Water once a day while your microgreens grow and gain colour. After 7–10 days, your microgreens should be ready to harvest.

the leaf and stem are consumed. They can be grown year-round, both indoors or outdoors.

How to Grow Your Own If growing microgreens at home, it’s important to buy good quality seeds from a reputable company and choose growing mediums that are free of contamination with harmful bacteria. Here’s what you’ll need: Good-quality seeds, a container filled with potting soil or homemade compost. Alternatively, you can use a single-use growing mat specifically designed for growing microgreens, either sunlight or ultraviolet lighting, ideally for 12–16 hours per day. Instructions: 1. Fill your container with soil, making sure you don’t over-compress it, and water lightly. The most common growing mediums are peat, perlite and vermiculite. Single-use growing mats produced specifically for growing microgreens are considered very sanitary.

advertise future youth-related programs and projects,” Ms Smith said. “The top 20 images will also be printed, framed, and exhibited at Erina Centre Foyer during Youth Week next year.” The top 20 images will also be in the running to win a range of Apple prizes. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said competitions such as Your World Your Way are also helpful in strengthening a young person’s opportunity to have ownership over creative materials. “This a chance for young people to get creative, have their photos on exhibition and to be celebrated by the community.” Mr Hart said. The competition winner and runner-up will be selected by a panel of judges comprising of two Youth 4 Youth (Y4Y) Action Team

Members, one Council staff representative and a professional photographer. A ‘People’s choice’ category will be selected by the public, via a QR code in the Erina Centre foyer for members of the public to scan and vote for their favourite photo during the exhibition dates. Winners will be announced at an exhibition ceremony on Monday, 24 April 2023. To enter search ‘Your World Your Way’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Key dates: • Applications close on 5pm 2 7 January 2023.

• Exhibition dates 1st April to 1st May 2023 • A wards Ceremony 24th April 2023 5.30pm Erina Centre Foyer