Inside the Westside Writers Group

Join some of Western Sydney's most exciting writers for an evening of readings with live editing and critical feedback from Ivor Indyk.ct BYDS for m

Westside Magazine

BYDS has been producing publications showcasing the talents of our many young writers and visual artists, photographers, digital artists etc. since 1994. We began producing Westside magazines in 1998. Westside is now produced twice a year with Westside Junior for younger writers and the Westside journal for more established writers.

Contact us on mohammed@byds.org.au for your copy.

Westside Writer's Lonely Pages

Here you will find the latest writing and artworks from our Westside contributors. Drop by regularly to see the new material.

Writing Workshops

Writing Workshops for young and established writers run fortnightly on Tuesday evenings here at BYDS. These workshops are co-facilitated by Westside editor Mohammed Ahmad and Ivor Indyk, Writing and Society Research Group, UWS. For more information please contact Mohammed mohammed@byds.org.au

Image: Richard Birch

RAS (Refugee Action Support)

A selection of BYDS talented young writers and actors have been running Forum Theatre and Writing Workshops for refugee students in High Schools throughout Western Sydney through the RAS project funded by The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.

Indigenous Dance Project

This project has received great feedback from performances at NAIDOC Day, South West Sydney Aboriginal Awards and other festivals in 2009. This year BYDS will work with more local Aboriginal children and experienced NAISDA trained dancer, Darren Compton to build an even stronger project. Click HERE for more.

Indigenous Oral History Project

Jaleesa Donovan, BYDS' youngest staff member has begun working on the Indigenous Oral History Project.This intergenerational project will create an important resource for the local community and add to BYDS' long history of Oral History based work.

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Koori Radio Project

Six local Indigenous students from years 9-10 participated in BYDS Koori Radio Holiday training program and earnt their Certificate two in radio and broadcasting skills as well as a regular "Air Time" at Koori Radio 93.7FM on Wednesdays from 4-6pm for the Young, Black & Deadly Program.t BYDS for m

Aboriginal Cultural Excursion

Neil Trindall, BYDS Indigenous Youth Arts Officer has been organising different aboriginal cultural excursions for students and elders of Bankstown. The most recent excursion was to Flinders Slopes where those who attended participated in organised workshops and activities such as painting and dance workshops.

Forum Theatre

Our Forum Theatre group consists of 6 young actors. These actors present a stylised scenario which explores a number of themes associated with conflict and some of the 'us and them' ideas which often fuel it.

Artstart

For Artstart 2009 BYDS is the regional coordinator for the South West Sydney region including areas; Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wollondilly. Our region funded projects that mapped their local areas through artistic and creative mediums. Artstart is a NSW Government initative for young people. The program builds skills and community networks through creative projects and events. Co