Young Benalla entrepreneurs take over foreshore with creative offerings at youth market

The idea for the youth market came from Benalla’s Ruby De Fazio, who pitched the idea when she applied to join the youth group.

“One of the interview questions was, ‘What sort of activities do you want to see happening in Benalla?’,” Ruby said.

“I go to a lot of markets with my parents and often see young creators at them.

“So I thought, ‘What if there was a market just for young creators to grow and promote their businesses in Benalla?.”

Full Impact squad co-ordinator Alex Ross said an expression of interest was put out to its young members.

“They all came up with their own ideas,” Alex said.

“We initially had 24 stalls, but a few couldn’t make it, so we have about 19 here today.

“As well as some great musical performances.”

The creativity of the young stallholders was clear to see, and Ruby said she had already sold several handmade mosaic ornaments that she had made.

“I do mosaicing as a hobby,” she said.

“And I thought it would be a nice idea to try and profit off it.

“The smaller bits I have probably take about half an hour to make, the big ones can take more than a day.”

The Full Impact Squad had been decorating and selling ‘Sip Squad’ cups in recent months and had a few to sell.

Alex said the most sought after items on the day were three of those cups that were decorated by Benalla Street Art Festival headliner David Bromley.

“At only $60 each, they’re a bargain,” Alex said.

Tyler Vaughan, the current chair of the Full Impact Squad, said everyone was pleased with the youth market.

“I’m just proud of everyone that has supported us and really happy so many people have shown up,” he said.