Youth try their hand at spinning the decks at DJ workshop

Sunshine Coast DJ Mike Neilson headed up a DJ workshop for Cobar High School  students last Friday at the Youthie. Picture getting some instructions from Mike were Cody Lehmann, Jake Manns, Angela Shepherd, Chloe Polack and Laine Ellicott.
Sunshine Coast DJ Mike Neilson headed up a DJ workshop for Cobar High School
students last Friday at the Youthie. Picture getting some instructions from Mike were Cody Lehmann, Jake Manns, Angela Shepherd, Chloe Polack and Laine Ellicott.

As part of a NSW Government Youth Opportunities grant, young people in Cobar last Friday got to find out first hand what it’s like to be a DJ.

The DJ workshop was one of a number of youth activities run in Cobar last week.

Cobar Shire Council’s special projects officer Angela Shepherd said the grant has enabled council to work with Barnardos and the local schools to host “fun” activities for youth.

In addition to the DJ workshop, there were also communication workshops held at Cobar High School and Cobar Public School last week run by training specialists, The FRANK Team.

“The workshops are designed to build confidence in students as well as leadership and communication skills.

“They are aimed at our leaders of the future,” Ms Shepherd said.

The DJ workshop was held at the Cobar Youth & Fitness Centre on Friday with 11 participants learning the ropes from DJ Mike Neilsen.

DJ Mike owns and runs ‘Capital Video Roadshow’ and is a radio announcer on the Sunshine Coast.

He teaches and shares his DJ skills through workshops and discos throughout Queensland and also NSW.

Following the workshop, DJ Mike’s newly trained Cobar DJ’s were able to put their skills into action at a disco later that night.

DJ Workshop participant, Cobar High School Year 9 student Laine Ellicott, said he was keen to be part of the workshop.

“I thought it would be fun to learn about music and DJ-ing,” Laine told The Cobar Weekly.

“I’ve learnt more about sound systems and the technical stuff that comes with being a DJ.”

Laine said he’s now keen to use his new DJ skills at future Bluelight Disco local events.