National Youth Week 2012 Tasmanian State Report

Community Development Division Department of Premier Cabinet

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CONTENTS

Introduction ...... 2 National Planning Group ...... 3 Tasmanian NYW Young Member ...... 3 Tasmanian Steering Committee ...... 3 Funding and Grant Programs ...... 4 NYW 2012 Community Grant recipients ...... 5 NYW 2012 Schools Grant recipients ...... 6 NYW 2012 Youthbeyondblue Grant recipients...... 7 Collaboration and Support Agreement with Youthbeyondblue ...... 7 Summary of NYW in Tasmania ...... 8 NYW State Launch ...... 10 Event Profile: Newstead College NYW 2012 Health Expo ...... 13 Event Profile: Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards ...... 14 Event Profile: Youth Homelessness Matters Day...... 15 Official Participants...... 16 The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize ...... 16 Giving Young People a Voice ...... 17 Feedback ...... 18 Promotion of NYW ...... 19 Media Coverage ...... 21 National Focus ...... 30 National Launch Event ...... 30 Celebrity Ambassadors ...... 30 National Talent Competition ...... 30 Win Free Stuff ...... 30 National Youth Week 2013 ...... 30

Introduction Australia’s thirteenth National Youth Week (NYW) was held from Friday 14 to Sunday 22 April 2012.

NYW is the largest single celebration of young people on the Australian calendar and has run annually since 2000 as a joint initiative of Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments.

NYW is a call to action for young people. It is a chance to get involved and have fun regardless of resources, skills or abilities.

NYW gives young people aged 12 to 25 years an opportunity to:  express their ideas and views  raise and act on issues of concern  enjoy entertainment  showcase their talents  take part in competitions  express their individuality and diversity  celebrate their contribution to the community.

NYW also gives the wider community the opportunity to listen to young people and acknowledge and celebrate the positive contributions made by their efforts and achievements, as well as promoting a community focus on issues of concern for young people.

The slogan for NYW 2012 was Imagine. Create. Inspire. This slogan appeared on posters and other promotional material that were distributed throughout Australia. Many organisations used the slogan as a focus for activities to encourage young people to Imagine. Create and Inspire.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) through the Community Development Division (CDD) has been involved in NYW since its inception in 2000. CDD is responsible for the coordination and delivery of NYW in Tasmania.

This report is largely based on the evaluation forms that were provided to CDD from organisations that were recipients of NYW grants.

2 National Planning Group The National Planning Group (NPG) oversees the coordination of NYW each year. The Office for Youth in the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is responsible for NYW at the national level and supports the NPG.

The NPG comprises of a youth representative from each state and territory, representatives from the Office of Youth in DEEWR and government representatives from all states and territories. In 2012, a CDD representative participated on the NPG, as well as Chris Edwards, the Tasmanian representative for NYW.

Tasmanian NYW Young Member Chris Edwards was the Tasmanian Young Member for 2012. As the Young Member, 23 year old UTAS student Chris was the face of NYW in Tasmania and was involved in all aspects of planning for NYW at the national and state level. He attended many events around Tasmania during NYW and launched NYW at Youth Rocks the West Coast in Rosebery. Chris is from Margate in southern Tasmania and has been involved in organising events for young people and the Tasmanian Youth Conference.

Tasmanian Steering Committee The NYW Steering Committee aims to involve young people and youth sector representatives in the planning and strategic direction of NYW in Tasmania. Steering Committee members attended face to face meetings and teleconferences in the lead up to NYW, advising on how NYW should be coordinated, what type of promotion should be used and where the launch event should be held. In 2012, the Committee comprised of 18 members including six young people - Chris Edwards, Catelyn Richards, Chloe Turner, Griffin Blizzard, Luke Foster and Metika Claxton. Members also represented the Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), North West Action for Youth (NWAY), Youth Action Priorities (YAP), DEEWR and DPAC.

Interview with Tasmanian Young Member Chris Edwards Why did you get involved with NYW and why is it important to you? I got involved because I think it is really important for young people to be recognised for their contribution to their communities and Australian society. NYW is a perfect way to do this and so when the opportunity came up to be involved on the Tassie Steering Committee I jumped at it!

Why should young people get involved in NYW and how can they get involved? Young people should get involved in NYW because there is such a range of opportunities to try new things and participate. They can organise their own event, help out with another or ask their school if they’re doing anything - they just need to be imaginative!

How can the youth of today be more active in their communities? The best way to be active is to be interested in what you do in the first place. So whatever they’re good at and enjoy doing they should pursue by setting up a network or game, joining a group or reading more about it! If they find a bunch of like-minded people there is more likely to be passion and drive and there is a higher chance of ongoing involvement, which means a win for both themselves and their communities!

http://www.youthweek.com/chris-edwards

3 Funding and Grant Programs NYW in Tasmania is supported by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments and beyondblue: the national depression initiative. For NYW 2012, this funding enabled three grant programs to be offered by CDD to support NYW events and activities around Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government provided approximately $40 000 towards NYW, funding events across the State through the NYW Community Grants Program, as well as providing administration and coordination of all events.

DEEWR provided Tasmania with $19 320, including funding for ‘strategic events’ for young people who face additional barriers to participation. The DEEWR funding provided $11 220 towards the NYW Community Grants Program and $8 100 was used for the NYW Schools Grants Programs.

A Collaboration and Support Agreement between DPAC and beyondblue provided $30 000 for the NYW Youthbeyondblue Targeted Grants Program.

NYW Community Grants  The assessment for the NYW 2012 Community Grants Program was highly competitive, with 51 applications requesting nearly $123 000, from an available funding pool of $50 000. The NYW assessment panel recommended funding for 27 initiatives, including nine projects which were funded in part.

NYW Youthbeyondblue Grants  The NYW 2012 Youthbeyondblue Grants provided 14 targeted grants to organisations to run events which focused on mental health and had the Youthbeyondblue Key Messages of ‘Look, Listen, Talk and Seek Help Together’ as their theme. These grants were also used to ensure cohort group at risk of exclusion, were supported in running NYW events.

NYW Schools Grants  The NYW 2012 Schools Grants provided 27 grants of $300 to schools and educational institutions to run their own events or transport their students to local NYW events and activities.

Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Youth Expo, Burnie

4 NYW Community Grant Recipients

RECIPIENT EVENT REGION AMOUNT

Break O'Day Health Resource Association Imagine. Create. Inspire. Youth Extravaganza North $1 900

Bridgewater PCYC National Youth Week 2012 Event South $1 000

Brighton Council Tattoo Health not Tattoo Harm South $ 850

Burnie PCYC One Word = My Life North West $1 985

Central Highlands Council Highlands Film Festival South $2 000 Circular Head Council and Youth Fest North West $2 000 Rural Health Tasmania Clarence City Council Bellerive Boardwalk Youth Week Festival South $2 000

Derwent Valley Council National Youth Week 2012 Activities South $2 000

Devonport City Council Reclaim the Lane Youth Arts Festival North West $2 000

Devonport City Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Youth Expo North West $5 000

Dorset Council Face the FEWCHA… Who are you? North $1 000

Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Light Up My Life North $2 000

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Youth Activities Day South $1 390

Glenorchy City Council Alive on the Green South $2 000

Hobart City Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. Youth Film Festival South $5 000

Huon Valley Council Get Loud Music Festival South $2 000

Kentish Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. Kentish North West $1 000

Kingborough Council InterACT: Be Your Best South $1 940

Latrobe Council Urban Art Port Sorell North West $1 000

Launceston City Council Songs of Change: Open Mic 2012 North $2 000

Meander Valley Council How are we different? North $1 000

Northern Midlands Council Youth Café of Music, Food and Thought North $1 800

Waratah-Wynyard Council SK8 & Create North West $1 000

West Tamar Council Epic Rave Time North $1 000 North Whitelion Let's Get It Together $2 000 North West Youth Making Changes in Burnie ArtBurn2012 North West $2 000

Youth Network of Tasmania Youth Homelessness Matters Day South $2 000

5 NYW Schools Grant Recipients SCHOOL EVENT REGION AMOUNT Claremont College The Long Lunch South $300

Clarence High School Debate and Musical Performance South $300

Deloraine High School Concert and Activities Day North $300

Don College Inspirational OP Shop Fashion Catwalk North West $300

Don College aFAIRgo North $300

Dover District High School School Camp South $300

Elizabeth College NYW Activities Day South $300

Geilston Bay High School TRANSPORT South $300

Geilston Bay High School Teambuilding Activities Day South $300

Glenora District High School Glenora's Got Talent South $300

Kingston High School Peer support workshop South $300 Lauderdale Primary School and Lauderdale and South Arm Activity Day South $300 South Arm Primary School Launceston College Carnival in Col Lane North $300

Newstead College Newstead College Health Expo 2012 North $300

North West Christian School The Great Escape Youth Challenge North West $300

Oatlands District School Social Event South $300

Penguin High School Launch of the Transition North West $300

Prospect High School Prospect Display Day North $300

Queechy High School Youth on Q Festival North $300

Rokeby High School Rokeby High School Community Social South $300

Rose Bay High School Arts Competition South $300

Rosebery District High School TRANSPORT North West $300

Sorell School Mosaic to Music South $300

Taroona High TRANSPORT South $300

Tas Polytechnic - AltEd Program Creating Our Voice South $300

Tas Polytechnic - START Program Creating Our Voice South $300

UTAS Student Services MYZINE Magazine Launch South $300

Wynyard High School WYN TV Webcast Celebration North West $300

6 NYW Youthbeyondblue Grant Recipients

RECIPIENT EVENT REGION AMOUNT

Awards Australia Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards Statewide $2 000

Brighton Council Tattoo Health Not Tattoo Harm South $1 000

Devonport City Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Youth Expo North West $7 000

Dooloomai Youth Project Get Out, Get Active South $2 000

Dorset Council Face the FEWCHA ...Who are you? North $1 000

Glenorchy City Council Alive on the Green South $1 000

Hobart City Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. Short Film Festival South $5 000

Kentish Council Imagine. Create. Inspire. Kentish North $1 000

Migrant Resource Centre youthARTconnect South $2 000

St Giles Talking About Now South $2 000

St Giles All Stars – Sibling Group North $700

Waratah Wynyard Council Sk8 and Create North West $1 000

West Tamar Council Epic Rave Time North $1 000

Rosebery Community House Youth Rocks the West Coast North West $3 300

Collaboration and Support Agreement with Youthbeyondblue Research confirms that many young people experience mental health disorders, with an estimated one in four young people aged 16 to 24 years (26 per cent) having experienced a mental health disorder. Around 160 000 young people aged 16 to 24 live with depression each year. Fundamental to achieving long term outcomes for young people is increased awareness and understanding of mental health risks and promoting the mental wellbeing of Tasmania’s young people through the implementation of education and capacity building mental health programs in partnership with key stakeholders such as beyondblue and youth networks.

The partnership with Youthbeyondblue enables the running of meaningful events and activities for young people and the promotion of the key messages of Youthbeyondblue and awareness of depression and anxiety among young people.

The Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Youth Expo collected feedback from young people in regards to their biggest concerns around mental health:  Lack of confidence in seeking help for mental health issues (27 per cent)  Lack of services/unaware of where to get help (22 per cent)  Fear of being labelled as ‘crazy’ (18 per cent)

7 Summary of NYW 2012 in Tasmania Over 77 events and 334 activities funded by NYW 2012 grants were held around Tasmania. Approximately 13 823 young people attended these events and 1 225 young people were involved in the planning and development of these events. Events were held in all areas of Tasmania, with approximately 50 per cent being held in the south, 24 per cent in the north and 26 per cent in the north west. Of all events, 41 per cent were held in metro areas, with 59 per cent being held in rural/regional areas of the State.

The types of NYW events and activities that were held across Tasmania included:  Art projects  Debates  Food festivals / Dinners  Awards ceremonies  Discos / Dances  Photography  Barbecues  Exhibitions  Singing  Camps  Expos  Sporting / Outdoor activities  Community festivals  Fairs  Tours  Competitions  Fashion shows  Web broadcasting  Concerts  Film making  Workshops.

The events and activities provided opportunities for young people to:  Participate in fun activities in a safe environment, free of drugs and alcohol  Experience something new  Promote their ideas and express their points of view  Meet other young people  Celebrate being a young person  Gain awareness of services available to them  Learn about mental health issues and the Youthbeyondblue key messages  Organise an event, or elements of an event  Demonstrate leadership  Feel engaged and be recognised as an important member of their community.

National Youth Week – For Young People, By Young People CDD and organisations involved in delivering NYW events and activities work hard to ensure that young people participate and are recognised as integral to the planning, development and coordination of NYW in Tasmania.

In applications for NYW grants, organisations had to identify how their project provided an opportunity for young people to express their ideas and views, raise issues of concern to them and act on issues which affect their lives and / or promote a community focus on issues of concern to young people.

During NYW 2012, the ideas of youth were expressed and their talents showcased to the community through art, film, music, debate and sport.

Young people are involved in the development and implementation of NYW events.

At the State level, young people, through their participation on the Tasmanian NYW Steering Committee, determined the strategic direction of NYW in Tasmania - by deciding where the launch event would be held, how NYW would be promoted in Tasmania and providing feedback on matters associated with the NPG. Young people were also part of the assessment panel which determined successful applicants to the NYW Community Grants Program.

At the local level, young people were involved in event planning and organisation in a number of ways:  Identifying an issue they would like addressed (Tattoo Health Not Tattoo Harm was the result of young people identifying the issue of ‘backyard tattoo jobs’ being widespread in their community)  Determining the activities they would like to participate in at NYW events (NYW Activities Days – Bridgewater PCYC and Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council, The Can Can, How Are We Different?)  Designing fliers / posters for NYW events (Imagine. Create. Inspire. Short Film Festival)  Promoting events and coordinating advertising and media (Youthfest, Face the FEWCHA)  Running activities on the day (Reclaim the Lane)  Setting up and packing up on the day (Epic Rave Time, Get Loud Music Festival)  Acting as Master of Ceremonies at events (Youth Rocks the West Coast, Bellerive Boardwalk Festival).

Young people aged 12–25 Young people aged 12–25 involved in planning events participating in events 2000 633 18 943 2001 552 15 949 2002 867 14 417 2003 1650 27 326 2004 1116 32 715 2005 1304 22 632 2006 1194 15 911 2007 1542 17 310 2008 1274 26 167 2009 648 14 010 2010 545 7 865 2011 800 13 200 2012 1 225 13 825

The following comments were noted in Final Reports from NYW 2012 Community Grant recipients: “The opportunity to be involved in putting youth week events together has been very rewarding. Some representatives were able to challenge themselves and do things they would not normally. They reported that while this was a difficult job, they learnt a lot from the experience.”

“The pride of the young people on the day was a great outcome of the project. They are more than capable of driving local initiatives given support and encouragement.”

9 NYW State Launch This year, the Rosebery Community House, with support from DPAC, YNOT and Youthbeyondblue, launched NYW in Tasmania at Youth Rocks the West Coast. Rosebery is a small community on the remote west coast of Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Launch event was important in reaching young people who would not ordinarily have access to such an event. The Launch included live music by four bands from the region, games and competitions, a mini expo including Youthbeyondblue resources and a chill-out zone which included a graffiti wall and Wii. Slide shows by local students addressing mental health issues were display and young people were able to sign up for a peer support program. Youth Rocks the West Coast was a fantastic event which generated great energy and enthusiasm in all the young people who attended.

More photographs of the Launch and other NYW events and activities can be viewed on the NYW in Tasmania Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nywtas.

10 Snapshot of NYW in Tasmania The Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Youth Expo held in Burnie was attended by over 1 000 young people, who listened to a presentation on mental health and spent time engaging with local organisations and service providers.

Open Mic 2012 saw talented young performers showcase their musical talents in Launceston’s City Mall, with over 600 community members attending the event. Prior to the event, performers were offered workshops to help develop their own media packs for promotion to festival or event organisers, as well as learning performance and stage management tips.

The Tattoo Health Not Tattoo Harm project included a photographic exhibition of tattoo art and explored the world of tattoos and body art, with a focus on harm minimisation and raising awareness of risks associated with tattooing.

The Imagine. Create. Inspire. Youth Film Festival involved over 500 young people in three film making workshops, a film screening at Village Cinemas Hobart and a photographic exhibition.

Bridgewater PCYC ran a series of basketball games and musical performances.

At Face the FEWCHA young people designed and decorated plaster case faces in way that characterised their personality and story.

Get Up, Get Out, Get Active was an outdoor activities day which focused on healthy lifestyle choices and positive mental health outcomes.

Young people enjoyed live entertainment and interacted with local service providers at Alive on the Green.

NYW events in Kentish included a Skate Park Tour, a Water Fight Against Depression, Cardboard House Building Competition, Games Day and a Poetry and Story Telling Night.

Sk8 and Create in Wynyard was a community celebration of youth featuring skating, rollerblading and BMX competitions.

11 One Word = My Life gave young people the chance to pick one word which best described their life and to write their one word on a storyboard and present it on camera, further explaining about what that word means to them to create a vox pop video.

Held on Friday 13th April, Youth Café of Music, Food and Thought had a ‘freaky Friday’ dress up theme.

Over 500 young people attended Youthfest and enjoyed live music and entertainment and rides.

At the Get Loud Music Festival in the Huon Valley young people were entertained by DJ sets.

Young people in Deloraine organised a community meal as part of How Are We Different?

At InterACT: Be Your Best young people enjoyed live entertainment, workshops, and skating competitions. Young people from the East Coast visited this event as part of their NYW road trip.

As part of NYW celebrations in the Derwent Valley, D’FAT, the local government youth advisory group, launched their 10 year Anniversary Celebrations.

The Highlands Film Festival provided an opportunity for rural youth to raise issues of concern and creatively deliver a message to the wider community through the screening of short films which they produced on the issues.

The Bellerive Boardwalk Youth Week Festival is annual National Youth Week event which showcases and promotes the talents and ideas of young people and their contribution to the wider community.

Young people in Devonport took part in a range of activities including workshops at Reclaim the Lane Music and Arts Festival.

The St Giles Society ran a NYW Activities Day with a BBQ and workshop for young Tasmanians with a disability.

12 For The Can Can, young people on Flinders Island took part in a street art workshop to learn techniques while designing their own individual art piece for surfboards and a trailer.

Urban Art Port Sorell and ArtBurn 2012 both launched brand new aerosol art murals for the community.

Young people heard the inspiring story of personal transformation by Charlie Chau, current holder of the Australian National Title in kickboxing at Let’s Get It Together.

YouthART Connect celebrated multicultural youth creativity. Workshops in drawing, story-telling and song writing enabled young people to express their feelings and concerns around the issue of racism.

Epic Rave Time was an underage event which attracted over 200 young people, who enjoyed games, skate demonstrations, stalls, a presentation by a guest speaker and a DJ set.

Event Profile: Newstead College NYW 2012 Health Expo The Newstead College NYW Health Expo is initiated and run by students and was attended by over 500 students this year. More than 15 organisations representing support networks in the Launceston area, including Headspace, Reconnect, Drug Education Network and Red Cross, set up information booths in the school gym. Students were able to speak to presenters and stall holders and collect information to help them cope with issues in their lives and gain awareness of support organisations available to them in the community.

Whilst the Expo was running, Buttman (the giant cigarette) and his helpers handed out lollypops to promote the anti-smoking theme - suck on a lollypop not a cigarette. beyondblue resources were also handed out.

Comments from presenters, students and staff were overwhelmingly positive and a large number of presenters commented that the expo is the best event of its kind that they attend every year.

13 Event Profile: The Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards Each year during NYW, the Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young Tasmanians. This year more than 350 people attended the Gala Presentation Dinner in Hobart, which was a wonderful event to conclude NYW 2012.

The 2012 category award winners were: University of Tasmanian, Faculty of Education Teaching Excellence Award Holly Barnewall Heather and Christopher Chong Community Service Award Damien Almond Mat Goggin Foundation Entrepreneurship Award Laura Sykes Print Applied Technology Sports Award Matt Goss Hydro Tasmania Environment Award Emma Flukes O Group Trade and Enterprise Achievement Award Danielle Black TEMCO Science and Technology Award Catherine Blizzard First National Real Estate Leadership and Innovation Award Cait Clarke

The Premier’s Young Achiever Award is selected from the category award winners.

The 2012 Premier’s Young Achiever Award was awarded to Kentish Councillor Cait Clark from Railton by the Minister for Community Development, Cassy O’Connor MP, representing the Premier at the Awards.

Cait is Chairperson of the Kentish Youth Council with input into the Council's strategic direction. She also contributes through the Guiding Coalition and the Social Inclusion Action Group. Cait re-established the Sheffield Girl Guides and was instrumental in the development of the Dreamcasters program nurturing young women into future leaders. She is a driver mentor with the Road Education Volunteers Program. Cait is trained in suicide intervention and youth leadership. She is a single mum and developed the 'Walkers and Talkers' program for young mothers and became the youngest ever Kentish Councillor.

Winners received a $1 000 Saver Account from ANZ and a trophy. The Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year also received $1 000 from the Tasmanian Government, and a holiday prize.

Further information is available at http://www.awardsaustralia.com/YAA_tas_win12.php

14 Event Profile: Youth Homelessness Matters Day Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) is a national awareness campaign held during NYW, run by the National Youth Coalition for Housing (NYCH).

On any given night in Australia 105 000 people are homeless and nearly half of these are under the age of 25. YHMD aims to raise public awareness about youth homelessness and celebrate the resilience of young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Australia.

YNOT, the Tasmanian representative for NYCH, held a YHMD event in the Elizabeth St Mall, Hobart. The event displayed an art installation of personally decorated 'rubiks cubes', curated by local artist and curator Caroline Amos. The cubes were created by young people from local youth homelessness services, who were encouraged to express their thoughts, in any art form they would like to use, on this year's theme of 'Be Part of the Solution' in decorating their cubes. People who attended the event were also able to make their own cube with ideas on how to be part of the solution to youth homelessness. Audio recordings and installation were also part of the display. Listening to the words and stories of young Tasmanians who have experienced homelessness was a very powerful experience.

Local Tasmanian youth services, Colony 47, Youth and Family Focus, and Mission Australia also had stalls on the day, providing information about their services.

The event was attended by the Minister for Community Development, Cassy O’Connor MP, as well as other State and Federal politicians, who all received a copy of the National Youth Coalition for Housing’s Charter of Rights.

Further information is available at http://www.nationalyouthcoalitionforhousing.org.au/

15 Official Participants In addition to the organisations and schools who received funding, other organisations were involved in NYW by running their own events or by supporting a funded event. Organisations who registered as Official Participants received promotion on the NYW Facebook page and access to NYW resources.

Examples of Official Participants

 The Office for Children in the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services supported the Launch of Statewide Youth Collaborative Group’s 10 Top Tips for Engaging with Young People.  Relationships Australia Tasmania’s Reconnect Program ran two NYW events, focusing on youth homelessness: Couch Surfing in Launceston (Community display addressing youth issues and risks); and Youth Homelessness Matters Day.  Citywide Baptist held a youth disco.  The Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources provided safe driving resources for the Launch Event.  The Australia Tax Officer (ATO) celebrated NYW by providing information to young people and encouraging them to find out how tax and superannuation can benefit them. Access to online information and services was promoted.  St John Ambulance Australia ran a national competition.

The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize is an essay-based competition for grade nine students that helps promote and preserve the meaning of the Anzac spirit in the Tasmanian community. The prize recognises World War I veteran, Frank MacDonald, who was born in Ulverstone in 1896, and died in August 2003 at the age of 107.

Six grade nine students won the opportunity to retrace Frank MacDonald’s footsteps as winners of the 2011-12 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize. They undertook a study tour to Europe’s Western Front to visit significant World War I landmarks and battlefields, from 17 April to 1 May 2012. They also researched individual soldiers who fought in World War 1 as part of the preparation for their trip to Belgium and France.

The group didn’t let the fact they were in overseas stop them from being part of NYW – they took NYW celebrations all the way to Paris!

16 Giving Young People a Voice NYW provides an opportunity for young people to have a say on issues that matter to them. The following issues were highlighted by young people who provided feedback to CDD:

 Addiction issues  Binge drinking  Depression  Desire to be accepted by the community, especially older community members  Drugs and addiction issues  Lack of entertainment and venues for young people  Lack of positive youth recreation, especially outside of team sports  Lack of transport services  More opportunities like NYW for young people  Not enough opportunities for young performers to perform in alcohol and drug free venues  Respectful relationships  Safe driving  Skate parks  Smoking  Social Inclusion  Suicide  Underage drinking  Youth safety.

The Imagine. Create. Inspire. North West Regional Expo provided organisers with a great opportunity to gain feedback on specific youth issues. Each young person who attended the event was presented with a ‘passport’ which had a series of questions relating to youth issues.

The top 5 concerns for young people aged 14 to 16 year old living in north west Tasmania:  Self-harm / suicide (12 per cent)  Bullying (12 per cent)  Mental health (11 per cent)  Cyber bullying (9 per cent)  Alcohol and drugs (8 per cent).

Other topics included:  Road trauma (6 per cent)  Youth violence (6 per cent)  Body image (5 per cent)  Feeling safe (5 per cent)  Sexual health (5 per cent)  Cost of living (4 per cent)  Employment (4 per cent)  Physical health (4 per cent)  Social life (4 per cent)  Climate change (2 per cent).

17 Feedback CDD developed a feedback form for young people who planned, organised and / or attended NYW events. As an incentive to fill out the feedback form, a $100 iTunes voucher was awarded to three young people, one in each area of the state. In addition, several event organisers conducted their own feedback.

It couldn’t get any better. It was 100/100, it was awesome. Anything benefiting youth in our community is a great thing. A fun night all round. Organising our youth week activities was great fun and seeing them all go so well was very rewarding. I will definitely participate next year. I had so much fun organising and attending the NYW and can’t wait to be involved in many years to come. I believe that NYW is a great opportunity and should be done in more schools. I can’t wait for next year. NYW was very successful. It gave the chance for others to hear what we think in the debate. I thought NYW was excellent and will definitely be participating next year. The idea is great and everyone should be excited to get involved. The day was awesome, great day. The event was very successful and got lots of people involved. The events were very good and I quite enjoyed them. I think youth week is a really good opportunity to be involved with. It was a fun time. I enjoyed the rock concert and would love to help out next year. It was awesome participating in the Youth Week debate and performance. I’d definitely do it again  I think it was awesome because I played in it. It was excellent. It was the most fun I’ve ever had; I can’t wait for NYW 2013. NYW was a great success. I loved performing and listening to others. I think Youth Week is brilliant. It was awesome. I think it should be done more often. It was excellent. I will do it again definitely. I think it was wicked. I can’t wait for next year to hopefully do my bit, even if I’m not going to school. I had a lot of great fun this year. You learn a lot of new things, that’s for sure. I really enjoyed being part of NYW. It was a great experience. I think that it was so excellent and very calm and friendly place to be. Youth week is a great idea and a great chance for students to plan an event. If someone decided to hold another youth week thing like ours, then I would probably participate. 2012 Youth Week event was really good  I think our Youth Week at school was well organised. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Youth Week is really helpful with helping us young adults have a little idea about what a future is like with one of the events we went to. Thank you NYW! I think NYW was a fantastic event. I had so much fun and learnt quite a lot. I sang at our school for the NYW. I’ll definitely attend next year. That was very good. I took as much out of it as I could. It was a fun afternoon which was well organised and good to try some new things. I think Youth Week activities are really good and I hope they continue to run! I think the story from Sebastian was really appealing and emotional - you’ve touched on an important issue which isn’t talked about often enough. Great stuff. I thought it was fantastic. I loved it. I was the director in one of the films featured in the Short Film Festival. Youth Week is a great service for young adults to seek advice and get helpful information. It was great fun, I had an amazing time and can’t wait for next years. I thought that it was a good experience for everyone and myself. I loved it! I think it was fantastic! I think this year’s event was awesome and I would love to do it again. It was a good idea. It allowed people to express their feelings in a form of art and hope to see it again. It was fun and we should do stuff like this more often. NYW 2012 was really great. Well organised, especially for the fashion students. Imagine. Create. Inspire. was a good theme. It has given students information on things they didn’t know. I think that the youth expo was fantastic. All the hands on stuff and games were fun and I won lots of prizes. I also go to touch a snake!!! I think that the morning was lots of fun to do something a bit different ant to be aware of more issues that face our society. A great opportunity for students to take a leadership role in the school and plan a program to highlight achievement and celebrate success. Outcomes included cooperation and establishing contact between students from different communities develops friendships and support networks. These kids continuously make me proud. Students wanted our leadership group who organised the event to organise more events involving student participation. The students really owned this event – they brainstormed it, planned it and carried it out! Excellent day – lots of relationship building. Students were also very excited to think that their initiative and planning were recognised and supported by an outside organisation. Youth generally feel that it is important that they are given that week to celebrate being a young person.

18 Promotion of NYW In Tasmania, promotion of NYW involved print media, the erection of banners in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Devonport and Rosebery, website and online notification to schools and organisations in the youth sector, as well as media releases.

The NYW in Tasmania Facebook page was the focus of the NYW 2012 Communications Strategy and it proved to be a successful tool to engage with young people. The page currently has 527 ‘likes’ and was used to promote NYW grants, local events, sponsors and organisations such as Youthbeyondblue and to facilitate youth discussion. A daily event guide was posted during NYW. Competitions were run through the page to encourage further promotion of NYW in Tasmania. Organisations were also encouraged to post photos from their events on the page.

Complementing the NYWTAS Facebook page was a Facebook advertising campaign. When the advertisement was clicked, the link referred people to www.youthweek.com. The advertisement was targeted at young Tasmanians aged 25 years and younger and was run from 26 March 2012 until 22 April 2012.

NYW was also promoted through community service announcements provided by Southern Cross Media, ABC and WIN television. Many grant recipients also advertised locally, through newspaper advertisements, radio announcements, posters and fliers and through social media, for example, creating events on Facebook to invite young people.

CDD coordinated the distribution of NYW promotional materials provided by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Youthbeyondblue including posters, wrist bands, and calico bags.

The main feedback from young people about how NYW could be more successful was greater advertising, including TV advertisements to raise awareness of and promote events and activities. This feedback will be used in preparation for NYW 2013. It is hoped that the development of a media partnership will be developed to promote NYW 2013 in Tasmania. This will be of particular benefit for Tasmania where NYW National Media Partners for do not have a presence. Social media will also continue to have a strong presence in the marketing and promotion of NYW 2013, given its ability to engage with young people.

20 Media coverage NYW events and activities made news around Tasmania!

The Advocate NYW events slideshow available at http://www.theadvocate.com.au/multimedia/38817/523421/events-across-the-north-west-and-west-coast.aspx

Youth Rocks the West Coast, Rosebery, in The Advocate available at http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/youth-let-the-music-speak/2521935.aspx

Young people in Smithton talk to The Advocate as part of National Youth Week http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/video-youths-view-of-smithton/2526106.aspx

How are we different? Deloraine, in The Examiner available at http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/general/dinner-to-show-youth-talent/2509143.aspx

Face the FEWCHA in The Examiner available at http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/general/inspired- students-unmask-their-creativity/2547365.aspx

ABC Open published a series of blogs written by young people from each of the Local Government Areas across the north west of Tasmania as part of National Youth Week.

29 National Focus At the national level, NYW is coordinated by the Office for Youth in DEEWR. Young people were able to enter NYW competitions, ‘meet’ celebrity ambassadors and find out what was happening around Australia for NYW through the NYW website at www.youthweek.com .

National Launch Event NYW was officially launched at Circular Quay in Sydney on Saturday 14 April with a free event hosted by Channel [V].

National Youth Week Celebrity Ambassadors Billy Russell - Channel [V] Presenter Hugh Evans – Chief Executive Officer of the Global Poverty Project Jack Delosa - Gen Y entrepreneur Jessica Watson - Previous Young Australian of the Year and sailor Maydina Penrith - National Indigenous Football Coordinator for FFA Rick Newnham - Co-founder of Left Right Think Tank Sally Fitzgibbons - Athlete who represented Australia and won gold at the Youth Olympics Serge Negus - Environment reporter for the 7PM Project Tara Winkler - Founder of the Cambodian Children’s Trust Yaara Bou Melhem - Reporter and video journalist.

National Talent Competitions RockIT - compose an original song or instrumental piece. Theme: Make yourself heard Industry Judge: Billy Russell, Channel [V]'s The Riff presenter.

WriteIT – write a short story. Theme: Leadership Industry Judge: Sophie Lee, actress and author.

ShootIT - produce a short film. Theme: Respect Rules Industry Judge: Macario De Souza, filmmaker, director of the film ‘Bra Boys’.

SnapIT - take a creative photograph. Theme: This is my headspace Industry Judge: James Geer, world renowned photographer.

DesignIT - create a flat image digital design. Theme: Blue Sky Thinking Industry Judge: Stacey Burn, Art Director, Girlfriend magazine.

Win Free Stuff Answer questions in 25 words or less to win prizes.

National Youth Week 2013 NYW 2013 will be held from Friday 5 to Sunday 14 April 2013.

Community Development Division

Department of Premier and Cabinet

GPO Box 123

HOBART TAS 7001

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.dpac.tas.gov.au

Published August 2012

ISBN: 978 0 7246 5652 9