Bellingen Shire councillors vote in favour of the construction of the William Street Youth Centre with only one dissenting voice. That of long-time youth advocate, Cr Dave Scott, on the grounds the council does not have detailed costing for the project, except ongoing expenses of about $105,000 per annum.

As for the others, the unexpected Federal government ‘gift' of $1.54 million for the project puts it squarely in the ‘full-steam ahead' basket.

“It will be a great hub with a homework centre, music space, area for youth services and counselling – we cannot look this gift horse in the mouth," Cr Kerry Child said.

Bellingen Shire Youth Hub opens its doors, both physically and metaphorically – the strategic decision is made to hand the facility to the community, to operate and care for. The Hub is run by a committee of management made up of elders from the community; Bellingen Shire Council/ratepayers foot the bill for the hub’s coordinator and operating costs.

The Hub turns five, a major milestone for a space that operates five days a week, four of which include the youth. It offers an awesome range of youth services – a regular clinic with a doctor, psychologist and youth workers, a learner-driver program including a simulator, computer training, an art space, a sound-proof music studio and an awesome climbing wall.

And all this functions on the basis of community partnerships, trusting relationships, goodwill and loads of enthusiasm.

Coordinator Dean Besley said the way the Hub operates is firmly rooted in the old adage that “it takes a community to raise a child”.

“This is a place for the community to meet to build a whole range of partnerships that will help develop relationships with the kids who come here … and guide them towards making healthy choices for themselves,” Dean said.

“There are about 400 keys to this place out there, it’s the community’s centre and easy access is vital.”

This open door policy has seen seemingly impossible ideas blossom into reality. Dean cites the learner-driver program as a great example.

“I noticed one of our kids, John, was down in the dumps one day, and when I asked what the problem was, he told me he was having trouble getting his driving hours up … I rang a few mates, who were happy to help in their spare time.

“John got his licence and the idea grew into what is now a program with 18 volunteer supervisors, a donated car and kids creating relationships with adults other than their parents, who are able to help and support them. Twenty-two kids have gained their licences so far.

“And some of those relationships have been lifesaving for some kids.”

For Bellingen Shire Youth Services worker Monique Buggy, operating out of the Youth Hub brings community and real relationships into her work and helps build connections with the youth.

"I have 6-10 kids that are assisted through intensive case management support, other young people prefer to have casual chats.. its a great service that can operate either way... and the casual chats often provide an easy path to more assistance. .."

“It is such a wonderful time in their life, but it can also be challenging, so it is great to have a facility and services that support them.

"These kids have walked up that mountain to come here and ask for help, once they are here we offer them pragmatic, informal counselling … those words, “let’s see what we can do”, are such a good way to start!”

Pregnant and smiling, Paige Jackson says her four-year journey with youth workers and others at the Hub has got her through a rocky time in her life.

“When I was 15 I was having problems with my family, I had to leave school in the first term of Year 10,” Paige said.

“Doctors and health workers here helped me get the courage to go back in Year 11. I didn’t stay but then they guided me into a Certificate Two Business course, which got me back on track.

“More recently I have hooked into a maternity support program to get baby gear and make a birthing plan. “I don’t know what I would have done without Dean and the others … they have all been so wonderful to talk to and help me deal with different issues. It’s very chilled here.”

With over 200 activities a month and up to 100 kids a day, there is definitely a buzz around the Hub – one which allows those conversations about life to unfold, and also sees the occasional Triple 0 phone call made.

“This is where the kids can come … they can express their views, they can share and connect with other adults,” Dean said.

“Our door is open to all the kids, no matter what … we make sure they know this is a safe place to come.”

Former councillor and member of the Hub's Governance Committee from day one, Kerry Child, has lost none of her passion for the space.

"It is a one-stop shop for our youth, somewhere to go and access services without any judgement," Kerry said.

"There is always something happening there ... we'd be a poorer community without it."

Along with a long list of other organisations, the Youth Hub gets behind a project to bring high-quality art to the power poles of Bellingen.

Students from the high school and their artistic mentors paint a pilot pole on Church St with a song about growing up in Bellingen, and members of the community are asked to have a look and provide comments and feedback about the PoP Art idea via http://create.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/pop-art-project by December 1.

If the general community consensus is that the project should go ahead, then up to 40 power poles around the centre of town may be painted over the next year.