Cowra Youth Council gives back to local children and hospital patient

Published on 08 September 2026

Cowra Youth Council gives back to local children and hospital patients

Cowra Youth Council has donated $700 worth of toys and educational resources to Cowra Hospital’s paediatric speech pathology and occupational therapy outpatient services.

The donation was funded through proceeds from the popular Cowra Festival Duck Race, coordinated by Cowra Youth Council in partnership with Cowra SES.

Youth Council members also supported local businesses when selecting the resources, purchasing many of the items from Kendal Street Newsagency, Studio 36A and Australia Post.

During a recent visit to Cowra Hospital, members met Speech Therapist Kate Perry and Occupational Therapist Jayne Hook, who provided a tour of the new hospital facilities and shared insights into their roles.

The donated toys, games and learning materials will be incorporated into therapy programs for local children. Through engaging, play-based activities, the resources will help clinicians support the development of speech and language, hand-eye coordination, sequencing and fine motor skills.

Ms Perry thanked Cowra Youth Council for its generosity and said the resources were already making a positive difference.

“The resources are already being well used and loved by the kids of Cowra. We are incredibly grateful to the Cowra Youth Council for their generous donation and for taking the time to visit and learn more about our services.”

The hospital visit also gave Youth Council members an opportunity to learn more about careers in speech pathology and occupational therapy, including how specialised play-based resources are used to support children’s development.

Cowra Youth Council Co-Chair Taylia Penyu shared some of the group’s recent achievements and discussed upcoming initiatives, including the Cowra Youth Peace Forum.

The visit included a second act of community kindness, with fellow Co-Chair Zipporah Austin presenting five hand-crocheted lap rugs to Cowra Hospital’s Oncology Unit through the Youth Council’s Crochet for a Cause project.

More rugs are currently being made, with the project aiming to provide comfort and a small ray of kindness to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

The donations demonstrate Cowra Youth Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and creating positive outcomes for people of all ages.

ENDS