Party in the Paddock grew from humble beginnings as a way to celebrate the life of a friend - who lost his life suddenly in Laos.

That motivation was what kept organise Jesse Higgs and his band of merry men and women afloat as they navigated the waters of putting on an iconic youth event.

Party in the Paddock has grown swiftly to become a rival to Marion Bay's Falls Festival, but its three-day format has also delivered something else unexpected - an avenue for young people to have their own voice.

What Mr Higgs and his other event managers and volunteers have achieved, with this event, is to not only put on one heck of a party, complete with marriage proposals and glitter-streaked body art, but somewhere that young people could have their say on important issues such as mental health and pill testing. This year, the event went on the record to say it supported and would lobby the government to allow it to hold a pill-testing trial at the 2020 event.

While that bid was unsuccessful, it paved the way for young people to voice their opinion on a topic that is close to the heart for many. In addition, Party in the Paddock has always been a place that has mental health conversations woven heavily into its history. On the surface, it may seem that Party in the Paddock is just another excuse to get together and listen to some great music, it also has substance at its core.

This year Mr Higgs said this year would be the last Party in the Paddock, to allow it to go down in history as one of the most popular festivals in Northern Tasmania.

Young people are the future, as that old cliche says, so their voices deserve to be heard and they deserve to be at the table in whatever format that looks like.

Thank you to Mr Higgs and the organisers of Party in the Paddock, for a wonderful few years - and some great tunes.