supported by Local Government

Tasmanian Report

August 2001

Prepared by:

GPO Box 169 7001

Telephone: 03 6233 7329 Facsimile: 03 6233 7695 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.youthaffairs.tas.gov.au

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Table of Contents...... 1

Introduction ...... 2

Background...... 3

Official participants ...... 4

National Youth Week events ...... 6

Participation in events...... 7

Timing of National Youth Week...... 8

Funding and support...... 9

Media coverage and promotional resources...... 11

DETYA (COMMONWEALTH)...... 11

OYA (TASMANIA)...... 11

National Youth Week outcomes ...... 12

PARTICULARLY POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF NYW EVENTS ...... 15

Examples of good practice and successes...... 16

National Youth Week 2002...... 17

National Youth Week press clippings...... 18

1 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn National Youth Week was held across Australia for the second time from 1–8 April 2001. The Office of Youth Affairs (OYA) is pleased to present the Tasmanian National Youth Week 2001 Report.

Congratulations must go to all the young people across the State as well as others who organised, facilitated and participated in this successful event. Thanks should also go to the many organisations that contributed in various ways to the success of the Week in their areas.

The official National Youth Week theme was Get Into It and appeared on posters and other National Youth Week is not promotional material. Some organisations used the only about getting young theme in their events as a focus for activities. people from all over Australia involved but also developing activities and events for The objectives of National Youth Week were focussed themselves. on young people and the community. It was hoped that National Youth Week 2001 would give young people space to:

• participate in activities and enjoy special events; • celebrate their individuality and diversity; “National Youth Week gives • promote their achievements to peers and the Australian organisations an wider community; outstanding opportunity to join with us in promoting young people and • meet new people; • the issues which are of importance talk about stuff that concerns them; to them.” Dr David Kemp, • get inspired; Commonwealth Minister for • express themselves; and Youth Affairs • just hang out with friends and be themselves.

A key feature of National Youth Week was the focus on young people being involved in the planning and implementation of events. This was realised in municipalities across Tasmania where young people’s participation numbers were high. Young people were able to advise organisations on the types of activities they would like in their area for National Youth Week and see these ideas come to fruition, in many cases playing a large part in the organisation of events. Among the successful outcomes of the week were the management skills young people acquired through planning and implementing activities.

An exciting feature of the week was the selection of Noah Thomas, a young person from the Tasmanian Youth Consultative Committee (TYCC) on the National Planning Group. Noah travelled to Canberra and Sydney on a number of occasions to meet with the group and played a vital role in directing the shape of National Youth Week 2001, nationally and in Tasmania.

Participants identified a range of positive outcomes as a result of the week. These outcomes were mainly targeted at young people but also acknowledged that National Youth Week had a positive impact on the community members who observed or participated in activities. A number of the outcomes have been documented in reports from specific events and indicate that issues, which have been identified, will be progressed after National Youth Week.

From the feedback received, everyone is looking forward to the continuation of National Youth Week in 2002 and many are already making plans.

2 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc BBaacckkggrroouunndd On 23 April 1999 Commonwealth, State and Territory Youth Ministers agreed to hold Australia’s first National Youth Week from 2–8 April 2000. This event was so successful it was agreed that it be held as an ongoing event with a national focus. National Youth Week 2001 is the second youth week that Tasmania has celebrated.

A National Planning Group was formed which included five Youth Weeks have young people, including one Tasmanian, representatives from existed in some States the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs’ and Territories for quite (DETYA) Youth Bureau, and representatives from all youth a few years. However, affairs offices around the country. The National Planning until 2000 there wasn’t Group met a number of times and oversaw arrangements for a national event that all young Australians coordinating and promoting National Youth Week for 2001 at could call their own. a national level. Due to the success of the first National Youth OYA was responsible for the coordination and delivery of Week, it has become an National Youth Week in Tasmania. A Tasmanian National ongoing feature on Youth Week Steering Committee comprising 12 members was Australia’s youth established. This group had membership from key calendar. stakeholder groups to facilitate the coordination process. Membership of the Steering Committee included: OYA, TYCC Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), Northern Youth Coordinating Committee (NYCC), North-West Action for Youth (NWAY), Youth Action Priorities (YAP), DETYA, Office of Sport and Recreation, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education.

OYA provided funding through a grants program to Councils across the State and to TYCC, which enabled them to become official participants and conduct activities during National Youth Week. OYA also sought other non-funded official participants to participate in National Youth Week. Information about National Youth Week with expressions of interest was sent to all Councils, TYCC, schools and colleges, state government departments and to youth service providers on the OYA database. Once organisations advised OYA they wanted to conduct an event and met the guidelines below they became official participants and could access promotional opportunities.

All the Tasmanian official participants agreed to follow the Guiding Principles for Participation in National Youth Week 2001, which stipulated that proposed activities should address the National Youth Week theme and the following principles: • consult widely before events; • use neutral environments which make all young people feel comfortable; • locate activities to ensure as easy access as possible; • schedule some activities in evening timeslots; • cater for young people who are not comfortable speaking in front of other young people in panels or forums; • costs of participation should be reasonable; • integrate mentoring as part of National Youth Week; • activities to be free of alcohol and drugs; • activities to be covered by public liability insurance; and • notify participants of outcomes of issue-raising activities.

3 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc Evaluation forms were sent to official participants, so they could report on their events, participation, associated processes and Official participants can benefit from National the promotion of National Youth Week. This information forms Youth Week’s broad the basis of this Report. marketing strategy in two ways: Some of the information obtained from the above groups • choosing to coordinate included concerns and observations about National Youth existing activities under Week. These have been included in this report and OYA has the National Youth Week undertaken to look at ways to address them. umbrella; or • creating a new youth For information about National Youth Week 2000 see the focused initiative that National Youth Week 2000 Tasmanian Report. starts, takes place or culminates in National Youth Week. OOffffiicciiaall ppaarrttiicciippaannttss An official National Youth Week participant was an organisation that: • created a youth focused initiative that started, took place or culminated in National Youth Week; or • chose to coordinate existing activities under the National Youth Week umbrella.

OYA invited all youth organisations, Councils, schools, libraries and government departments to become official participants and conduct an activity during National Youth Week. The organisations that wished to do this registered with OYA and received free publicity in all National Youth Week marketing strategies.

The following 37 organisations were official participants and conducted 101 events during National Youth Week 2001:

Organisation Event

Anglicare Tasmania Inc. Collaborated with the Glenorchy City Council to present the Visual and Performing Arts Multimedia Exhibition Break O’Day Council Streets Alive Workshop Brighton Council Film screening and BBQ and activities at Risdon Brook Dam Burnie City Council A number of activities including: a multimedia competition, art competition, dance party and Big Day Out at the Skate Park Central Coast Council Arts workshop, skate competition, Youth Mardi Gras and Photography workshop Central Highlands Council Disco Day Musical showcase and official opening of Skate Park Clarence City Council Various activities including: Flash back from the past day, Graffiti Art Project and Fun Day Department of Health and Donated eight ex-dental vans to youth service providers around the State Human Services (DHHS) Devonport City Council Coastal Youth Arts Festival, Youth Unmasked and Banner of Ideas, Percussion Workshop, Youth Forum and Mall activity day Dorset Council Youth Bash Students from Flinders Island District High School attended Conference and Street Parade in Launceston Forth Online Access Centre Free Internet access for young people and a youth chat session using the Devonport chat room

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George Town Council A number of activities including: Sausage Sizzle, Internet Access evening, a trip to the Theatre, Pancake Making, Video Afternoon and Sports Evening Glamorgan Spring Bay Adventure based outdoor activities and BBQ lunch Council Glenorchy City Council Info Expo and Activity Day, Battle of the Bands and Skateboard Competition Hobart Career Information Gave young people Internet training and ran a Competition Centre Hobart City Council Several events including: SK8 It Out, Get Into the Mall, Pen It Out and Crank It Out Underage Rage, Poetry and Music Exhibition Youth Expo and Youth Issues Forum Photography Workshops, Junior Rave, Dance and Jam Session, Bike Races and Graffiti Competition Activities and Competitions Day followed by BBQ and Concert Skateboarding Competition and Battle of The Bands Competition Launceston City Council Production of Short Story Book, Art Exhibition, Workshops, Youth Conferences, Film Festival and Music Day Competitions at the Gym, Bush Dance and Celebrations Day which included Graffiti Art, River Race and Concert Northern Midlands Council Youth Week Concert Office of Youth Affairs Linkzone youth web portal and State of Our Youth consultations around the State Prospect High School Conducted the Student Leadership Conference Big Gig Battle of The Bands Southern Midlands Council The Great Easter Chase St James College A number of activities including, BBQ, concert, art competition, drama performances and many more Streets Alive Committee Streets Alive Festival Beach Disco and Arts Evening Tasmanian Youth Three NYW scrolls and the production of a video of interviews with young people and Consultative Committee footage of NYW 2001 Waratah/Wynyard Council Youth Parliament, Ramp it or Amp It Day including: Live Bands, BBQ and Water Activities Excursion to Burnie Youth Festival Painting of a mural at the Youth Centre

A number of the above Councils worked in partnership with other organisations to conduct National Youth Week events. These organisations include Fusion, local community groups, local youth groups, service clubs and government departments. YNOT, DETYA (Tas) and TAFE provided support and worked with TYCC to develop and implement their events.

Other organisations that did not register as official participants but held National Youth Week events would expand this list.

5 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc NNaattiioonnaall YYoouutthh WWeeeekk eevveennttss There were 101 known National Youth Week events that took place around Tasmania during the week. It was difficult to distinguish between events and activities. For the purposes of this report an event is described as one concept by an organisation, eg an activities day, an expo, a festival. An event may be made up of various activities. There were 31 different types of activities undertaken during the Week and 198 activities undertaken in total.

The following is a list of activities that took place during National Youth Week events:

General Activities 11 Workshop 12 Forums 2 Expo 2 BBQs 22 Festival 10 Graffiti 5 Film 4 Launches 9 Ex-dental van donations 6 Competitions 25 Free Internet Access 4 NYW Scroll 6 Youth Chat Session 1 Concerts 17 Internet Training 1 Open Day 5 Video making 1 Conference 3 Cooking afternoon 1 Poetry 3 Video afternoon 1 Dance 14 Survey 7 Sporting 12 Webcast 1 Market 1 Water fight with fire 1 brigade Exhibition 9 Information Stall 1 Transport to another event 1

These activities were conducted across the State, with some official participants conducting as many as seven activities in their area during National Youth Week. Events such as festivals, expos and open days often included many activities and different organisations participating in the one event.

The huge variety of events demonstrated the diversity of young people’s interests within the State and for following the theme of National Youth Week—Get Into IT. A positive element was the combination of ‘fun’ activities balanced with other informational and/or issues based activities. Two examples include: • the Grind into it event at Kingborough which had many activities including BMX, skating, sand sculpting expo, BBQ and live bands; while this was happening the Youth Task Force approached young people to fill in a survey. • Hobart Career Information Centre had a competition for a CD but to enter you had to use the Internet and if you didn’t know how, training was provided.

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The spread of events Metro Regional across the State was (Hobart area) (major centres) as follows: 9 41

Rural Remote 36 13

Virtual (post, Internet & radio) 1

In comparison with activities and events undertaken last year, this year saw a similar number of events but more activities occurring as part of these events. This year there were more events in regional areas and fewer in the Hobart area. Events in rural and remote areas were similar and there was only one virtual event compared to six last year.

PPaarrttiicciippaattiioonn iinn eevveennttss Each participant was 2000 2001 asked to record the number of young Young people involved in planning events 633 552 people and others who were involved in 1 Others involved in planning events 307 308 the planning of their event and those who Total involved in planning events 940 860 participated. Young people participating in events 14,652 13,668

Others participating in events 4,291 2,281

Total participating in events 18,943 15,949

Compared to the previous year, there were around 7% less young people involved in National Youth Week this year. This is probably attributed to the two large TYCC events held last year as well as the concert at the Derwent Entertainment Centre whereas this year there were no similar events. There were slightly more young people involved in planning events last year while the number of others involved in planning remained the same. The most noticeable difference was less participation by 53% of ‘others’ in events this year, ie those under 12 and over 25 years of age.

Official participants were also asked if they had targeted any particular age group within the 12–25 age group, or any minority group, for their event. Four participants targeted the 10–16 age group, three participants targeted the 10–18 age group and one targeted the 12–20 age group. Only one participant targeted an older age group, that being 17–25 years. All the other participants targeted the general youth population.

1 Others are those not in the 12–25 age group

7 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc Compared with last year where there were a number of minority groups targeted, this year, few minority or disadvantaged groups were targeted. One council targeted the rural and isolated young people in their community. One council wanted to target the whole community but acknowledged that they had attracted mainly young people interested in BMX riding and skating as they had provided an event in which these activities featured. The focus this year seemed to be very much on developing a community involvement and recognition of young people.

A number of barriers • Lack of transport for young people to attend events (six were identified that councils identified this barrier). Two councils did state that the prevented young funding provided by OYA lifted the transport barrier in their people from community. participating in National • Youth Week events. The cost of events was prohibitive for some young people. • The geographic isolation of some participants limited the These included: number of young people attending events. • Young people couldn’t go because they were at school when events were being held and the school did not participate in the event. • Advertising of events was not effective enough (two councils identified this barrier). • Other events were held in councils close by that young people went to rather than the one in their council area (two councils identified this barrier).

Transport was identified as the most prevalent barrier that prevented young people participating in National Youth Week. One rural and one remote council stated that the funding provided by OYA covered the cost that enabled their young people to leave their area and attend another National Youth Week event conducted by another council.

TTiimmiinngg ooff NNaattiioonnaall YYoouutthh WWeeeekk A number of comments regarding the timing of National Youth Week were received from official participants. One council commented that National Youth Week was held too soon after the school year commenced and it was difficult to get three schools together. Another council commented on the timing of National Youth Week being unfortunate as it clashed with another major cultural festival in Tasmania—10 Days on the Island.

One council suggested that activities could be run over a month period where more services and youth participation could be utilised, as they found that having National Youth Week activities during one week made attendance and accessibility to certain organisations a problem. Another suggestion was to stagger events with a bit of networking so that young people could enjoy their own local events as well as other National Youth Week activities.

As National Youth Week is a national event occurring around the country simultaneously, the National Planning Group makes a decision about the time and length of National Youth Week on a national basis, based on as many circumstances as possible.

8 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc FFuunnddiinngg aanndd ssuuppppoorrtt The State Government provided the bulk of the funding for the first National Youth Week in Tasmania. OYA received an amount of funding from DETYA on a pro rata basis with other States/Territories in Australia for National Youth Week. Funding was also received from the DETYA Youth Office (Tas) to be used specifically for publicity purposes. The total amount of funding for National Youth Week this year was $5,000 less than last year’s allocation.

National Youth Week 2001 funding: Office of Youth Affairs $48,000 Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs’ Youth Bureau $10,000 Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs’ Youth Office (Tas) $4,000 Total $64,000

Each of the 29 councils was given the opportunity to apply for a predetermined amount of funds through a submission process to conduct an event during National Youth Week. Twenty-eight councils took part in National Youth Week, with most contributing to the funding using their own resources with additional funding and/or in-kind support. (Last year 26 councils participated.) One council was intending to participate but unforseen circumstances meant they were unable to participate during National Youth Week this year but were fully supportive of the idea and hope to participate in the future.

TYCC received funding to undertake two projects: • Develop three calico scrolls, one for each region in the State. These were circulated at different National Youth Week events to collect comments from young people during the week. • TYCC arranged to borrow several video cameras and shot footage of a number of National Youth Week events and the views expressed by young people on a number of issues. Interviews and footage of events were compiled into a 17-minute video called ‘Somewhere South of the Equator’. The video will be presented to the State Government and will also be used by government and non-government agencies.

The majority of participants indicated that the application/funding process was clear and satisfactory, and met their needs. Two councils stressed that it is important that the funding proforma and promotion occurs in November to enable consultation with young people of school age. An organisation that undertook a National Youth Week event for the council commented that there was a lack of communication between the two organisations regarding some of the processes. One council found that costs associated with holding a concert in a rural area were extremely high and the funding did not cover all the costs.

The National Youth Week Steering Committee for Tasmania was responsible for facilitating the coordination process. The committee, with membership from a number of organisations across the State, met on several occasions to discuss strategies such as marketing and funding arrangements for the week. One council felt that the role and function of the statewide committee was not made very clear and that there is room for improvement, with better communication and coordination. OYA will take this comment on board in the coordination of National Youth Week for 2002.

For the second year in a row an outstanding element of National Youth Week 2001 was the large amount of support communities gave to participants who were undertaking events. 82% of the participants received some form of additional support for their event. It should be noted that much of the support received was from a wide variety of organisations outside the youth sector. The support received this year was an increase on the previous year’s support.

9 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc Organisations that contributed to the success of National Youth Week include: • local businesses • government departments, eg Departments of Health and • local politicians Human Services, Police and • local youth groups/committees Public Safety, SES, Education, and the Fire Service • youth service providers • • community organisations such as local clubs, eg Football club, Army Cadets, St Johns netball club Ambulance, Lions and Rotary • Youth Network of Tasmania Clubs, regional arts groups, Senior Citizens Centre, • DETYA Youth Office Tasmania neighbourhood houses, Rural • regional youth groups - Youth Youth Action Priorities, North West • church groups Action for Youth, Northern Youth Coordinating Committee • youth bands and entertainers; and • schools and colleges • individual community members • radio stations

The support was given in a number of ways including: • undertaking the coordination of • reduction in costs for services the event for the council • free loan of equipment, eg • provision of displays skating equipment • providing supervision • free transportation of equipment • having advertising placed in shop • free hire of premises/areas for and business windows events, eg halls and car parks • supply of free materials, eg • free advertising in newspapers paper and postage and radio • donation of items for prizes for • assistance with promotion competitions • assistance with setting up • reduction in costs for materials • assistance with coordination of • donation of food, eg for BBQs events

One issue that was evident from the evaluation was that rural and remote municipalities were financially disadvantaged if they had to bring their young people together from other locations over long distances. It was found that costs for hiring buses are high. By the time councils paid for buses to transport all the young people, sometimes with more than one bus or buses from different directions, funding left for activities was minimal. Compared with a more regional municipality where young people live around the main centre or are transported there by local bus or parents, these centres would not be paying for transport costs and would therefore be able to spend more funds on their National Youth Week event. OYA has taken this issue on board and will be addressing it prior to National Youth Week in 2002.

10 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc MMeeddiiaa ccoovveerraaggee aanndd pprroommoottiioonnaall rreessoouurrcceess A number of DETYA (Commonwealth) promotional resources were available for • National Youth Week stickers National Youth Week • NYW posters official participants. The Commonwealth • National Youth Week official organiser badge made some resources • National Youth Week website—National available and others were developed by • National Youth Week activation video OYA. • TV ads • Radio ads

OYA (Tasmania) • National Youth Week State launch • National Youth Week newsletter—monthly updates (January-April) • National Youth Week website—Tasmania • National Youth Week scrolls (through TYCC) • Radio ads • Newspaper ads • Bus ads (in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart) • Banners (in Hobart, Devonport and Burnie)

The State NYW launch was very effective and was attended by many young people and received television coverage that night. The launch occurred at a National Youth Week skating event in Hobart on Sunday, 1 April with the Hobart City Council, Lord Mayor as a guest speaker and the Minister responsible for Youth Affairs launching the Week. Two TYCC members spoke about NYW at the launch and some young people performed an introductory dance. A light lunch was provided as part of the launch.

The initial information brochure/poster and letter was found useful by participants for the information it contained and as a reminder that National Youth Week was coming up. Participants found the posters, stickers and the newsletter the most useful resources. Stickers/posters proved effective with 78% of official participants saying they were useful. Half the participants found the official organiser badges useful.

Seventy-one percent of official participants found the Tasmanian National Youth Week 2001 web site useful and 39% of participants said that the official Commonwealth National Youth Week 2001 web site was useful.

Six councils that utilised the scrolls found them useful. A large number of councils were unaware of the scrolls, even though a scroll was a popular part of National Youth Week last year.

Over 75% of official participants used the OYA and National Youth Week electronic logos in their promotional materials.

11 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc Only four councils thought the activation video was useful while most were unaware of it.

Television Community Service Announcements were found to be useful by 61% of official participants and 42% found the radio useful although this may have been prearranged advertising by the local radio stations. There was no mention of the press community service announcements, which many not have been taken up by the press in Tasmania.

The street banners and bus advertising were found useful by 30% of official participants while the majority were unaware of them. This may be because they were primarily located in the main Tasmanian centres.

OYA monitored the Tasmanian print media prior to, during and after National Youth Week. Media coverage for the event was good with over 70 articles in the various newspapers around Tasmania about National Youth Week events, including a number of National Youth Week double page spreads. See pages 18–23 for some examples of these stories. The number of articles was slightly down from last year. It was disappointing to note that the majority of National Youth Week print media was from the North and North West and the Southern response was poor.

It was found that over 70% of official participants had newspaper coverage of their events and 20% had TV coverage. Forty percent of official participants said they had local radio advertising of their events. No radio or TV media were monitored although we were aware of a number of NYW stories appearing on TV and a number of interviews on radio. Other forms of media occurring during National Youth Week were advertising of events in school newsletters, pamphlets, posters and council news publications.

A number of official participants agreed that, in hindsight, they needed to promote their event to young people further, especially in the press. There was a request for T-shirts for official organisers and another for street banners in other towns.

NNaattiioonnaall YYoouutthh WWeeeekk oouuttccoommeess Feedback received from participants indicates that in nearly every case the activities achieved their desired objectives and more. Some outcomes refer to a particular event while others were very common and were mentioned a number of times.

The following • This event gave all schools in the area the opportunity to meet and socialise. Due to outcomes form a long distance they don’t get many chances to get together. comprehensive list • Young people were able to utilise the medium they believed most relevant. compiled from contributions from • Young people played a vital role in the planning and implementation of all NYW official participants. activities/events. • All events were well attended by young people across the community. These included: • Events/activities provided opportunities for young people to demonstrate skills, talents and ideas. • NYW highlighted the talents skills and ideas that young people contribute to our community. • Media coverage and promotion of NYW events was more effective this year. • Feedback from all involved has been very positive. • Young people were provided with an opportunity to celebrate a day where their needs and wants came first.

12 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc • A useful information gathering exercise was able to happen. • The Youth Forum acquired information from the survey that would lead to the creation of a youth team. • Different non-threatening community venues were able to be used during the week. • Promotions of positive images of young people in the community occurred from within the local community and through the media. • Young people had the opportunity to experience a wide range of socially acceptable, healthy and safe activities. • There was a focus on out of school hours activities (evenings and weekends). • Increased the knowledge and awareness of services/activities available for young people aged 12–25 who reside in the northern suburbs/city of Glenorchy. • Encouraged young people to actively utilise services and activities that have the potential to improve health and general wellbeing and ‘Get Into It’. • Provision of opportunities for young people to try something new and ‘Get Into It’. • A video has been produced capturing issues for young people and showcasing NYW events. This video has been entered in the Noise Competition with the aim to get TV coverage. Members will also use the video as a lobbying tool. • Creation of a non-threatening environment where young people felt comfortable accessing services and gathering information and participating in activities. • Gave young people aged 12–25 years an opportunity to express their ideas and views through the medium of music and to give the wider community the opportunity to listen to young people and acknowledge and celebrate the positive contributions made by their efforts and achievements. • A celebration of the positive achievements of those young people who contributed to the building of the skate park and the walking track facility in Chigwell as well as a general celebration of the positive contributions young people make to the community. • Youth participation in events not normally accessible to young people in the Huon Valley. • Exposed young people to what is available to them within the community. • Created awareness and opportunities for involvement in activities. • Young people displayed their creativity through arts and music. • Young people were involved in basic meeting procedures. • Young people were able to show their talent and resourcefulness. • Provision of an interactive day with a cross section of the community. • Young people were involved in hands on activity with other adults. • Continued positive relations with police. • Gave the local young people the opportunity to promote their interests to the broader community. • Provided an opportunity for the community to celebrate the fine talents of young people. • Gave young people an opportunity to find out more information about youth clubs and services in the area, and meet people who are involved in such groups. • Showed that young people are valued and proactive members of our community.

13 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc • Promoted self-esteem within the young people. • Organising groups were willing to host similar/other events next year. • Provided media interest in young people. • Provided young people with opportunities to plan and carry out events. • Provided young people with opportunities for socialising with their peers and others. • Young people celebrated being young. • Young people’s talents were recognised in designing and implementing the project. • Members of our community were brought together. • The community were educated and informed on the history and resources of the area. • The young people successfully demonstrated their abilities and talent to host a community event. • Gave young people aged 12–25 an opportunity to express their ideas and views, raise issues of concern to them, act on issues which affect their lives and create and enjoy entertainment. • Gave the wider community the opportunity to listen to young people and acknowledge and celebrate the positive contributions made by their efforts and achievements. • Promoted a community focus on issues of concern to young people. • Provide an opportunity for young people to celebrate an event being organised nationally. • Parents could enjoy the event with their children. • Young people from an isolated area were able to participate in a larger youth event in another area. • The creation of a more youth oriented centre.

Through National Youth Week events, young people also had the opportunity to express their views about issues that impact on their lives. A number of local youth issues were raised during National Youth Week and young people were given the opportunity to act on these issues in an ongoing way where strategies have been developed to address them. Young people have formed participation groups and paths of communication where they can pass on their views, eg to inform local government.

Of 114 respondents who completed the A number of reports are being generated by survey form, 48 said yes to the question; various participants about the outcomes of would you be interested in joining a youth their National Youth Week event. Copies of group to help decide how youth funding these reports will be held in the OYA library for should be spent in Dorset. public access.

Community awareness of young people and youth issues has also been increased through National Youth Week activities. From the information gathered from the official participants it is obvious that many events would not have occurred without a National Youth Week and its associated funding. Many of these events have led to greater community awareness of their young people and their issues and many of the initiatives started through National Youth Week are continuing and being progressed with the support of the local community.

14 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc Particularly positive outcomes of NYW events

It has been impossible to record every single positive outcome that was identified for each of the National Youth Week events. Many participants identified a number of particularly positive outcomes their National Youth Week event generated for their area.

A selection of some outcomes that indicate the value and impact events have made in the youth sector as well as within the whole community are listed below:

Council Comments Break O’Day We have already started to plan for 2002. Because of the funding supplied we were able to have 241 extra students attend Streets Alive in Launceston and attend workshops, and the Street Parade and our grade 7/8 band was able to perform as well as our dancers and drama students. Central Highlands This event gave all schools in the area the opportunity to meet and socialise. The participants felt this was the best thing about the event because the youth of this area are so scattered through distance they don’t get many chances to get together. Dorset With the success of the BASH, and the overwhelming support of survey participants I look forward to an even better event in 2002 (107 our of 114 participants said yes to another BASH). Flinders Island The financial support offered by NYW is very beneficial to our small K-10 school. It allowed students the opportunity to be involved with peers from throughout Northern Tasmania and share experiences they will remember vividly. King Island Participation in youth week events was mostly by youth under 17. This highlighted the fact that we need to concentrate more on targeting the 18-25 youth group which are not as accessible as those school aged. The community gave a great deal of positive feedback about the level or organisation and participation. The events included all ages and provided for cross-community interaction that was very well received. It was very worthwhile. Our community OAC has assisted in setting up a youth website where young people will be able to record and access Youth Week, local information and current youth projects. Kingborough Thank you for giving our young people in the Kingborough Youth Task Force the opportunity to get involved in your youth week events. They had a real opportunity to shine through the stresses and to have a go at problem solving. Thank you for giving Fusion the opportunity to put on an event for the young people in our area. Through this event we were able to see an area where our organisation needed to grow in and to start thinking about putting more events like this one on in the future. Latrobe National Youth Week is a fantastic opportunity to try something that you wouldn’t perhaps ordinarily do. I saw heaps of younger kids getting out there and having a go even though they may not have had lots of skills like the others. It was also great to receive the funding so everything was free for the kids, that could have been a barrier for many—money. Meander Valley Next year I hope to have our local High School involved in our local celebrations rather than them travelling to Launceston. Northern Midlands The web cast of the concert was excellent. Logistical problems prevented it from being live but it will continue to be viewed for a long time to come. Sorell The event attracted double the estimated turnout, as well as better than expected community support and involvement. Young people in bands were given good exposure with the possibility of a CD or compilation. Southern Midlands Feedback has shown that the Southern Midlands community have both warmly saluted the youth but now expect more projects! The event has been a wonderful opportunity for all of us and has opened up many avenues for the youth especially. Waratah-Wynyard Youth Week should remain on the calendar. It provides an excellent opportunity for youth to celebrate their talents in a public arena. West Coast The participants enjoyed the aspect of ‘a day out’ and voted that this be repeated, if possible, next year.

15 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc EExxaammpplleess ooff ggoooodd pprraaccttiiccee aanndd ssuucccceesssseess There were a number of examples of good practice amongst the activities that took place during National Youth Week which participants felt contributed to the success of their event.

Participants put forward the following examples of good practice, a number of which appeared many times on forms. These are positive indications of the calibre of the planning and implementation of events for National Youth Week.

Most of these • The team of young people that were recruited to organise and run events examples are generic received flow on benefits in their personal development and teamwork skills. and could occur in a range of ways while • Allowing the young people to set the parameters eg time, place, participants. undertaking activities • Organising transport home for young people involved in the planing of events. and initiatives. • Meeting young people at times and places most convenient to them. Some of these include: • Youth activities that were simple to organise and a great success. • The exercise of maximising the opportunity afforded by the congregation of so many young people by gathering information in the form of a survey proved outstandingly successful. • At our sausage sizzle we utilised several volunteers who were on disability Our young people pensions. It was encouraging to observe people who are socially isolated rose to the challenge getting involved in a voluntary role and at the same time enjoying socialising when two weeks before the event we • Formation of a project team of young people, local service providers and needed prizes and council members. food donations for the • event. Not only did Inclusion of young people at all stages of the planning and implementation they find support process. from local businesses • Ensuring that activities were held in a variety of venues and suburbs they also got Red throughout the City at a variety of times to ensure as many young people as Herring to sponsor possible could participate in these events. our event. It just showed me that when • Young people had the chance and opportunity to plan, develop, organise and challenged these participate in events that are interesting to them. young people didn’t give up. I also learnt • Youth workers visiting local schools to promote Hartz Exposed Art Exhibition that word of mouth is created an enthusiastic response to the event by both teachers and young a lot stronger than people. any media. That is mostly how we got • Youth involvement in the planing is paramount and is an empowering 500+ young people to exercise for young people to run and organise events. this event. • Onus of responsibility resting with the young people to implement their plans eg seeing project ideas through to action. • Co-operation with other community members. • A high point of success was the involvement of one particular individual in the 18 to 25 group who has been experiencing particular problems recently ie alienation, mental, criminal issues. • Responsible handling of cash and borrowed equipment. • Involving specific groups that had established youth networks in the community in staging events increased youth involvement at all levels.

16 of 23 3D8A6DBC-19EF-50F6.doc • Support and linkages with other community organisations. The evening event at Deloraine was ‘open door’. Prior planning and clear expectations meant no problems occurred. • Young people taking responsibility for event promotion and development. • Bands getting some work out of the event. • Music systems hirers were able to support local bands with discount offers on hire equipment in the future. • The activity planning catered for a wide cross section of young people by using inclusion and mutual participation. • Good lead in time to the event ensured everything worked well on the day. • The coordination of an event between two councils.

NNaattiioonnaall YYoouutthh WWeeeekk 22000022 Planning has already begun for National Youth Week next year. A decision was made by all representatives of the National Planning Group that National Youth Week will occur 7–14 April 2002. It should be noted that this means National Youth Week will begin the Sunday straight after Easter Sunday. The theme for the Week will be ‘Bring It On’. The National Youth Week Information Kits for next year will be distributed later this year with more information about the Week.

Two youth representatives have been put forward from Tasmania to be members of the National Planning Group for 2002.

From feedback it is obvious that each year more young people and organisations become aware of National We believe Youth Week is a Youth Week, want to be involved, and want to improve fantastic event their activities for the next year. Many local and we have already started to government councils are already planning for their consider events/activities for events. As organisations are becoming aware of next year. National Youth Week, especially state government Glenorchy City Council departments, they seek out the dates and use the week to promote any youth related issues or events they have.

All the feedback OYA has received from participants about National Youth Week 2000 is currently being addressed and evaluated to enable improved Youth Service staff would just coordination and delivery of National Youth Week 2002. like to take this opportunity to thank OYA for their ongoing One hundred percent of official participants indicated support which assists with the they would be holding a National Youth Week event success of National Youth next year and many of these already have good ideas Week on a State Level. Thank brewing for next year! It was also good to see that a you. Huon Valley Council number of organisations have incorporated National Youth Week into their planning and budget for future years.

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