By Kirsty Levis
NCWQ Youth Adviser
Youth Week 2014 (http://www.qld.gov.au/youth/be-involved-have-your-say/youth-week/)
National Youth Week 2014 was held from Friday 4 April to Sunday 13 April under the theme Our Voice. Our Impact. Queensland’s Youth Week celebrations were coordinated by the Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association (PCYC), which received State Government funding to collaboratively plan, run and subsidise Youth Week events and activities in partnership with community organisations. Thirty-seven funded events were held across Queensland during National Youth Week this year. Dates for 2015 are Friday 10 April to Sunday 19.
Are U Safe Online? (http://www.creepquiz.eq.edu.au/)
Being online has become a big part of everybody’s life; particularly for children who are growing up surrounded by the internet, computers, smart devices and gaming consoles that offer unlimited networking possibilities. With the power of these connections, it is important that children are educated about safe and positive ways to be online. Telstra and the Queensland Government have partnered to develop Creep Quiz: Are U Safe Online? The quiz has been designed to provide insight into the online world and highlight some of the pitfalls for the unwary. Lots of social media sites and apps require users to be 13 years and older; so as children approach that age, the pressure from friends to use social media intensifies. The Creep Quiz provides parents with an interactive tool that can be used with children to talk about digital lives. Aimed at children from 11 years of age, the quiz addresses a variety of activities across a number of social media platforms.
P.A.R.T.Y. – Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth
(http://www.health.qld.gov.au/party/)
(http://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=230&Itemid=243)
(http://www.partyprogram.com/) (http://www.ntri.org.au/research/party)
P.A.R.T.Y. is an in-hospital injury prevention program run out of various hospitals including the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Alfred Hospital and Nambour General Hospital. In 2009, 1361 young people aged between 15 to 19 years were admitted to Queensland Hospitals with trauma injuries. Young people in this age group are grossly over represented in injury and trauma statistics, both in terms of death and long term disability. Road trauma is still one of the most common causes of mortality and catastrophic injury in youth. When you attend a P.A.R.T.Y. program you will see what it’s really like to be a trauma patient. Through DVDs, PowerPoint presentations and interactive simulated clinical scenarios, participants will meet health professionals, emergency services personnel (e.g. ambulance officers) and people who have experienced trauma and survived often with significant disabilities. Dates for 2015 are now available.
Bust Out Youth (http://www.bustoutyouth.com/top-youth-issues/entertainment/clubs-and-groups/)
The website is an example of a Collaborative Action Group project and was developed to better link young people and parents to the hundreds of support mechanisms available. The site also helps to resource workers who support young people and parents, so that they are aware of the supports available. The name for the website, Bust Out Youth was developed by a group of young people at the Redcliffe Area Youth Space. Bust Out is a slang term used by young people to mean; to withdraw an item; to escape; to accomplish a task; or, to use something.
YWAM Youth Teams (http://www.youthteams.org.au/)
YWAM is an international movement that offers global opportunities for volunteers from diverse backgrounds to serve, care, build, and connect with individuals and communities. YWAM is decentralised in structure and financially autonomous. YWAM Townsville has operated for over 20 years with an aim to build capacity in young people and to develop the community.
Youth Street Live is jam-packed full of entertainment and opportunity to grow. The night is filled with live music, life stories, interactive games, Wii, skate sessions, and heaps more! Come and enjoy a cold frappe from our café! Our hope is to give youth a safe place to connect with positive influences, hang out with friends, and talk about real life issues. YMAM City Campus is the location on Saturday nights from 6pm to 9pm for youth aged 12-17 years with cost $5.
Queensland Young Australian of the Year Award
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/10/24/queensland-australian-of-the-year-award-recipients-announced
Yassmin Abdel-Magied, 23 – Engineer and social advocate (Sunnybank Hills)
Born in Sudan, Yassmin Abdel-Magied moved to Australia when she was two and since then has devoted her extraordinary energy and talents to making Australia a better place. At age 16, Yassmin founded Youth Without Borders, an organisation that enables young people to work together to implement positive change within their communities and internationally. Yassmin has forged a hybrid career as an engineer, social advocate and media commentator and she is a sought-after candidate for state and federal councils. Yassmin has sat on the Australian Multicultural Council, the Board of the Queensland Museum and the Design Council, contributed as a member of the Federal Anzac Centenary Commemoration Youth Working Group and was on the organising committee of the 2014 Youth G20 Summit. She was also the Team Principal and designer of the University of Queensland’s race team. A role model to many, Yassmin has been recognised with many awards. Her achievements across a number of fields provide positive proof that hard work, resilience and self-belief can reap rewards, regardless of gender, faith or cultural background.
Youth Beyond Blue (http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/)
Articles on youth mental health are available from 22 October 2014. Youthbeyondblue is offering schools and community groups a range of ready-made articles on youth mental health for use in publications, like school newsletters or on websites. Thanks to a grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation in Melbourne, the stories have been written, and focus on each of the following topics – depression, anxiety, bullying, helping a friend and keeping well. Images designed to accompany the stories are also available. For more information, or to request a story and image, email ybb@beyondblue.org.au.
Schoolies 22-28 November 2014 (http://www.schoolies.qld.gov.au/)
The Queensland Government does not promote participation in Schoolies but seeks to enhance the safety and responsible behaviour of school-leavers at Safer Schoolies locations and to minimise disruption to local communities.
As part of the Safer Schoolies Initiative, a range of safety and support services will be provided at the key Schoolies destinations in Queensland. Each Safer Schoolies location has its own access requirements, but all require proof of student photo ID to take advantage of the free activities and support services available. Police, emergency services, security, volunteers and officials will maintain a highly visible presence, providing schoolies with medical assistance, general support and advice. Safety initiatives include wristbands or photo ID for identification, street patrols, walk-home services, schoolies-only areas, free water and medical assistance. The Red Frogs Australia Chaplaincy Network also provides support to schoolies in accommodation venues. Volunteers play a vital role in helping to keep school leavers safe.
Queensland Youth Orchestra (http://qyo.org.au/2014-qyo-finale/)
A spectacular highlight of the Brisbane concert calendar, the QYO Finale Concert is a “best of 2014” presentation by each orchestra and ensemble in Queensland’s world class youth orchestra organisation on 1st November 2014. 470 musicians aged 9 to 25 perform in seven orchestras and ensembles: three symphony orchestras, two wind orchestras, a string orchestra and a big band. The program includes a variety of repertoire, representing the culmination of a year of rehearsals, sectional tutorials, music camps, tours and concerts. The QYO Finale Concert is a great event for music lovers of all ages due to the wide variety of music, short durations of the individual performances, early start time of 7pm and in particular, the high quality and enthusiasm of the musicians.
NATIONAL YOUTH AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2015
(http://www.youth.gov.au/sites/youth/news/pages/nya-now-open-2015)
The National Youth Awards is an Australian Government initiative that is in keeping with the original intention and purpose of National Youth Week – to celebrate, acknowledge and recognise Australia’s youth. The Awards acknowledge the outstanding achievements by young people on behalf of young people. Do you know a young person that works hard for their community, shows amazing courage or helps promote cultural understanding? Head over to the youth week website to nominate them!
An individual can apply for the Awards themselves or can be nominated by someone. To be eligible for an award you must be between the ages 12-25 as at 16th April 2015. Applications open 10th October 2014 and close 27th November 2015 at 12pm.
Brisbane Youth Service Daggy Jumper Day – 6th June 2014 (http://daggy.com.au/)
Annually in June show your support for Brisbane’s homeless youth by heading out in a jumper that has, until now, been for your eyes only. Workplaces or individuals can register, be sponsored by friends and family and help ensure at-risk young people are warm every winter and have a bigger and brighter future. Check out the website for how the money helps Brisbane’s homeless youth.
QLD Youth Strategy Ambassadors 2014
(http://cotaqld.org.au/2014/05/nominations-open-qld-youth-strategy-ambassadors-2014/)
Nominations opened 15th April and closed 2nd June for the 2014 Youth Ambassador Program. The Queensland Government was seeking six enthusiastic young people aged 12 to 21 years, to become ambassadors for the six areas of connection in the Queensland Youth Strategy – family, friends and social networks; education, training and employment; health and wellbeing; volunteering and participation; supports and services; and arts and culture. The Queensland Youth Strategy Ambassadors program aims to showcase the achievements and contributions of young Queenslanders who are working hard to reach their potential and being positive role models for their peers, family or community, in line with the goals of the strategy. Each Ambassador will receive a $1000 bursary for personal or professional development, and will be supported to attend a personal development workshop in Brisbane.
Full report available here: NCWQ_YouthAdviserReport_Nov2014