Young people in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys and the stakeholders who back them had the opportunity last Friday to provide feedback about issues affecting young people and have input into finding solutions following two Grafton forums organised by Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis on Friday, the MP declared. “It was a terrific day listening to local youth and it was great to have Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s Parliamentary Secretary Bronnie Taylor MLC here to participate and report back to the boss,” Mr Gulaptis said. A morning session was students only at South Grafton High while the afternoon meeting at the New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre, also in South Grafton, included stakeholders like the very successful Clarence Youth Action group and representatives from Our Healthy Clarence. Ms Taylor said she was inspired by the Our Healthy Clarence initiative and grateful to the young people who had travelled from as far away as Casino to participate. “I reckon nothing works better than a local community looking for local solutions. What we have to do is target gaps in employment better, we’ve got to look at the places that need training and providing pathways,” she told local media at the conclusion of the meeting. This initiative is part of a state-wide program where the government has run more than 30 sessions with youth and youth advocates to find out what they are looking for in their communities.