A STUDY GUIDE by Katy Marriner

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

ISBN-13-978-1-74295-072-3 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Please note: Teachers are advised to preview the film before showing it to students. Students should also be briefed about the content and purpose of WALL BOY prior to viewing.

Wall Boy WALL BOY is a sensitive account of the issues facing vulnerable young people in contemporary Australian society. The film is both unsettling and brave in its dramatisation of the fractured world of a vulnerable adolescent. Some students may find the references to sex and drugs too confronting and the dimensions of the narrative too upsetting.

This study guide accompanies the short fiction film WALL BOY by Shark Island Productions, makers of THE OASIS documentary. It has been written for senior secondary students and practitioners, and provides information and suggestions for learning activities in English, Drama, Health and Human Development, Media, Religion and Society, VCE VET Community Services and curriculum projects exploring social justice issues in contemporary Australian society. WALL BOY could also be shown to teachers as part of professional development sessions addressing student welfare and pastoral care. Some of the questions and activities in this study guide will be of use to organisations, community groups and counselling services that support vulnerable young people.

WALL BOY is the story of a vulnerable sixteen- year-old boy forced to work as a male sex worker at a notorious spot in inner city Sydney called The Wall. A youth worker from the Salvation Army’s outreach bus tries to reach out to him, but the SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM boy won’t speak or even make eye contact. One night the boy takes a risk and leaves a message on one of the laptops in the outreach bus. His cry WALL BOY has a running for help sets a daring rescue plan into motion. time of 17 minutes.

2 About the filmmakers

Shark Island Productions is an award- winning Australian documentary production company based in Sydney. The company’s films include THE OASIS, IN THE COMPANY OF ACTORS, ALONE ACROSS AUSTRALIA, POLLY AND ME and WOODSTOCK FOR CAPITALISTS.

The company’s films have extensive education and outreach components and are developed as part of broader initiatives to make a significant social impact. The company states Focus puller, 16 mm camera they create strategic partnerships with the philanthropic and not- for-profit sector, to educate and bring about social change. a daily basis. These organisations is a story behind every person. will be using the films as part of a WALL BOY is part of the ongoing program to raise awareness about The filmmakers hope that the film outreach and education program the issues they are all involved will act as a powerful deterrent for based around the award-winning in, when young people’s lives are vulnerable young people thinking documentary THE OASIS. in crisis. The film can be used at of running away from home, and fundraising events to generate inspire them to seek other options. Following the release of THE OASIS discussion and raise awareness. in 2008, the directors Ian Darling and OASIS Youth Sascha Ettinger Epstein have written Key messages Support Network and directed two short fiction films, based on some of the untold stories Vulnerable young people frequently The Oasis Network gives homeless that came out of their three-year run away from their problems at home and disadvantaged young people documentary experience. POLLY AND and end up with much bigger, more hope, help and opportunities ME (Dir. Ian Darling) and WALL BOY serious problems out in the world. to access relevant education, (Dir. Sascha Ettinger Epstein) have training, jobs, counseling, and been made as companion pieces, The grim reality of Tom aka Wall Boy’s drug/alcohol programs. and deal with a wide range of social life since running away is frighteningly issues that have affected the lives common, and its graphic depiction Oasis cannot effectively undertake of many young homeless kids. on screen sheds light on the very real, this intensive work until young and often life-threatening, danger people are off the street and in a These short films should ideally that young people face when they safe, stable environment. On any be seen in conjunction with THE naively enter the world of the streets. given night, Oasis Surry Hills helps OASIS documentary, in order to to accommodate and feed more provide a broader context for the The film also shows the true value than 100 homeless young people. two stories. The two fiction films of intervention services in turning deal collectively with issues around lives around and the importance of StreetConnect bus addiction, physical and mental outreach workers having a presence service run by Oasis abuse, and neglect. They provoke in the darkest, most dangerous Youth Support Network much discussion about dealing with locations of the city – places where complex social problems, and raise most of us do not want to go. The StreetConnect outreach bus issues about the adequacy of service features laptop computers, wireless levels surrounding prevention and The statistics overwhelmingly broadband connection and mobile response programs in the community. show that involvement in drugs phone access. Homeless young and experience of physical harm people are able to use this technology SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM Partnerships were formed with are often the harsh reality of life to search for accommodation charitable organisations for the on the street for young people. and other support services, send outreach and education component and receive emails and at times of the initiative, that deal specifically WALL BOY puts a human face reconnect with family and friends. with the issues raised in the films on and story to the statistics. There

3 Using Wall Boy in the Fact sheet: Missing Persons in Australia classroom A missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to the police, whose whereabouts are unknown and Teachers may select from the about whose safety or welfare people are concerned. following activities to support • 35,000 people are reported missing • In Australia, anyone can be reported students’ viewing and close each year in Australia – one as missing if their disappearance analysis of WALL BOY. person every fifteen minutes. is out of character and there are • 95 per cent of missing persons concerns for their safety and welfare. Before viewing are found within a short period • If you have concerns about a of time (usually within a week), missing person you can visit however, there are currently your local police station to file • What images come to mind 1600 long-term missing persons a missing persons report – even when you think of a young (people who have been missing if the missing person lives in person described as a for more than six months). another state or territory. street kid or ‘at risk’? • There are three primary groups at • You do not have to wait twenty-four Ask students to share their risk of going missing: those suffering hours to report someone as missing. thoughts with the class. from a mental illness, young people If you have serious concerns for the Afterwards, provide students (particularly females aged between safety and welfare of a person, and with the following information: thirteen to seventeen years) and their whereabouts are unknown, The term ‘youth at risk’ is used the elderly. Out of the estimated then you may immediately report to describe or identify young 35,000 missing persons, 20,000 them as missing to your local police. people who, faced with particular are under the age of eighteen. • All details about missing persons difficulties and disadvantages, • Approximately one third of missing are kept confidential and are not are thought to be likely to fail persons go missing more than once. made available to the public unless permission has been granted by to develop sufficiently in their • Most children that are reported the family of the missing person adolescent years in a way that missing are located safe and well and investigating officers. would provide a sound basis for a within twenty-four hours. • When located, a missing person satisfying and fulfilling adult life. • For every missing person reported, must give permission before • What stereotypes/attitudes it is estimated that twelve other their whereabouts are released. do some people have people are directly affected whether it is emotionally, psychologically, In the case of a located missing about street kids? physically or financially. child or adolescent, information • Discuss how the media, and decisions regarding their • Going missing is not a crime. particularly film and television, circumstances and their location portrays street kids. Are these • People usually go missing to remove may be made in consultation portrayals sensational? Clichéd? themselves from something that with relevant agencies. isn’t making them happy. Reasons Authentic? Constructive? • By being a missing person you may for going missing include anxiety • Share your opinion of the role put yourself in an unsafe position, and depression, misadventure, the following institutions and making you sensitive to becoming a homelessness, dementia, domestic victim of a crime, or forcing you to people should play in supporting violence, becoming a victim of commit a crime to stay ‘missing’. young people who are ‘at crime, drug/alcohol abuse. risk’: local, state and federal • If you believe you may have seen • For young people, family dysfunction a missing person, please submit governments; charities; churches; and conflict, miscommunication, a sighting report. Information community groups; individuals. issues associated with puberty can be treated confidentially • Make a list of the organisations and peer pressure, mental health upon your request. that support young people who issues, child abuse/neglect, poor are ‘at risk’ in the area in which coping skills and drug and alcohol • The National Missing Persons you live. What do you know problems are among some of Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is funded by the Australian about these organisations? the reasons for going missing. Government through the Australian Invite representatives form these • Common reasons for children going Federal Police and aims to reduce missing include a breakdown in organisations to speak to your the incidence and impact of communication, family conflict, class or your year level about their missing persons in Australia and to domestic violence, mental health SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM mission and support programs, as educate the Australian community issues, peer pressure and drug/ well as about the challenges that about this significant issue. alcohol abuse. Only a small face them and their achievements. percentage of missing children are Source: • Can you become part of the the result of stranger abductions. . solution, at least on a local level?

4 After viewing

• Make a list of some of the reasons why young people may find themselves ‘at risk’. Why would a young person run away from home? Where would a young person end up when they run away Nokia StreetConnect Bus from home? (eg. couch surfing, boarding houses, youth hostel …) • See YFoundations myths and fact Fact sheet: The Salvation Army sheet about youth homelessness at . • The Salvation Army is one of the relative, reconciling any past • Why is it important that largest and most diverse social differences and reuniting the family. outreach services exist to welfare providers in the world. • The Salvation Army was the first reach young kids at risk? • The Salvation Army names its values charity to hold a national door as: human dignity; justice; hope; knock, the first to have a national Given the dimensions of the story, compassion and community. advertising campaign – ‘Thank students may have questions that • The Salvation Army’s core social God for the Salvos’ – and the need to be considered. Spend time issues of concern are: homeless first to have a national television as a class discussing students’ people; abused women and children; campaign. The results in terms of questions and concerns. addictions – drugs, alcohol, donations, change in awareness and attitude to The Salvation Army gambling; government policy • What are the central and its clients were outstanding. toward refugees; youth problems concerns of WALL BOY? and issues; family problems and • There are many ways everyone • We don’t know what caused Tom issues; unemployment; aged care; can participate in The Salvation to run away from home. Do you and government decisions that Army, including attending a affect people of low income. local Salvation Army church and think he would have run away if he had known what would happen • The Salvation Army has been participating in various worship to him on the street? What operating in Australia for almost activities for children, youth and 130 years. There are currently adults; volunteering to assist in a other alternatives could he have more than 6500 officers and Salvation Army social program, considered? What services exist staff delivering in excess of such as a soup kitchen or family that he could have turned to? 600 specifically designed social welfare centre; door knocking for • It is known that many young programs across Australia. the Red Shield Appeal once a year; people who end up on the street being employed by The Salvation • The Salvation Army helps more than get involved in drugs. Why do Army in a professional capacity and one million Australians every year. you think this happens? Why by making a donation to Salvos do you think Tom uses drugs? • In a typical week, The Salvation stores or to the Red Shield Appeal. Army in Australia will provide • Society often judges young • The Salvation Army tries to 100,000 meals for the hungry; people addicted to drugs without provide services within the local 2000 beds for the homeless; 5000 thinking how they may have area where they are needed, yet to 8000 food vouchers; 1000 frequently struggles with members become involved in that situation. people with assistance in finding of communities who do not want What is a better alternative to employment; refuge to 500 victims to have rehabilitation centres passing judgement? Do you think of abuse; assistance to 500 people or youth crisis accommodation it is important to understand addicted to drugs, alcohol or in their neighbourhoods. and empathise with these young gambling; several thousand people with counseling; 3000 elderly • The Salvation Army operates more people in order to help them? people with aged care services; forty than 300 stores throughout Australia, • The Salvation Army StreetConnect people in the court system with selling predominantly pre-loved Bus is a real service that operates chaplaincy services and will locate goods donated by the public. Much around Sydney. Investigate forty missing family members. of the Salvation Army’s community the other outreach services and emergency service work relies • The Salvation Army Family provided by The Salvation Army heavily on the funding generated in Tracing Service endeavours to and other organisations, eg. Salvo shops around the country. SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM locate family members whose Missionbeat, St Vincent de Paul. current whereabouts are unknown The Salvation Army website at Are these services important? and who are being sought for the • Which adjective do you think provides further information about purpose of reuniting the family. is the most fitting description the organisation’s work in Australia. This service involves finding the of WALL BOY? Why? What other adjectives would you

5 does knowing Tom’s name change our opinion of him? • Why doesn’t the outreach worker take immediate action to remove add to the list? Why? Tom from the streets if he knows » challenging Tom is in trouble? (he needs to ask » inspiring for help; it could be dangerous). » brave Friday July 10 » confronting • The youth worker is sorting » honest through clothes and other goods » harrowing that have been donated. A young » raw mum who wants clothes for her » stark baby interrupts his work. She » hopeful is ungrateful and belligerent • To whom do you think the when he does not have what film is trying to communicate The Wall? What emotions she wants. Why do you think the its messages? does it stir up for you? Does filmmakers included this scene? • Why is it important to tell it look like a place where • How does the youth worker stories like Tom’s? young people should be? attempt to build Tom’s trust? • Imagine that WALL BOY is • What moments in this scene • Why doesn’t Tom take to be screened on television. reveal Tom’s vulnerability? the rollerblades from Write a synopsis of the film for Thursday June 26 the youth worker? publication in a television guide. • Tom is working as a male • Tom visits the missing persons • Has WALL BOY changed your sex worker. Is he doing this website. He finds his profile. His perception of what it means to of his own free will? What profile reveals his personal details be a street kid? In what way? is his relationship with the and the details surrounding his man in the car? Why would disappearance. He disappeared Scene by scene Tom stay in this situation? aged fifteen and is now sixteen. Thursday July 2 Why is Tom’s profile Allow students to work as individuals • Describe the way the people on significant to the story? or in small groups to create an the street interact with each other • Does the fact that Tom doesn’t analysis of the plot, portrayal of and with the outreach workers. realise he is missing mean that he character(s), production values and • How does Tom’s behaviour differ? believes no one cares about him? purpose of a scene of WALL BOY. • Why does the outreach bus • Why do you think Tom has offer free internet to the street lost touch with his parents? Discussing key scenes people? How is technology being • ‘The computer’s broken.’ used to connect with people? Discuss the significance of At The Wall • Why do you think Tom decides to Tom’s decision to communicate SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM The Wall is a real place in visit the missing persons website. with the youth worker. Sydney which is known for How does he react when he • ‘HELP. Can’t talk. He’s watching. male street sex work. finds he is listed as missing? Will kill me. NO COPS.’ • Why don’t we learn Tom’s What does Tom’s message • What is the atmosphere at name until this scene? How reveal about his circumstances

6 when the driver locked the car doors, preventing Tom’s escape? • Trust • Why do you think the filmmakers • Exploitation decided to make us fear for • Dreams and his desire to change his Tom’s safety in this scene? • Secrets current way of existence? • ‘You’re out of here mate. • Loss Thursday July 16 It’s all sorted. They’ll look • Freedom • ‘Ready to hit the front line?’ after you at the other end.” • Security How does the other outreach What kind of emotions would • Communication worker view his role and Tom be feeling when he realised responsibilities? he was being rescued and sent • What words do you think should • The headline in the Wentworth to safety? How would the youth be added to the list of themes? Courier reads ‘Young Sex Worker worker be feeling after having • What does WALL BOY tell us Raped at Knifepoint’. Why does delivered Tom to safety? about each of these themes? the filmmaker draw this reality of • What do you think is next for Ask students to endorse life on the street to our attention? Tom. What steps will he have to their responses with specific • ‘Use the computer down the take to rehabilitate himself from evidence from the film. end, mate.’ the experience of life on the • Select one of the themes explored How does the youth worker streets? Look at services that by WALL BOY and work with other make it easier for Tom to trust help young people – what kinds students to develop a multimedia him and to tell his story? of programs are available? presentation offering your • ‘Tell me what’s going on. I can • Why do you think the filmmakers group’s story about this theme. help you.’ What does Tom’s cut back to The Wall rather than reply to the youth worker’s end WALL BOY with the shot of Characters typed message indicate? the plane taking off? • Under the influence of an illicit Does this show that other • Who are the main characters drug, Tom escapes into a young people out on the of WALL BOY? Who are dreamscape. What do the images street are still in danger? How the minor characters? of his dream reveal about his past should we help them? • How do the minor characters and present ways of existing? contribute to the telling of SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM Saturday July 25 the story? How do they • Were you aware that the Themes shape our understanding anonymous pickup car was part of of the main characters? the youth worker’s rescue plan? Or, • Innocence like Tom, did you become alarmed • Vulnerability

7 Above l-r: Tom; the youth worker; the pimp

Tom • Spend time as a class discussing the area. It is still however used the role and responsibilities of as a last resort work location • What words would you outreach workers like those for desperate young people. use to describe Tom? portrayed in WALL BOY. • The Salvation Army StreetConnect What are the things shown in bus actually exists. Sponsored the film that reveal that, before The pimp by Nokia Australia, it provides life on the street, Tom was a service to hundreds of once a normal young boy? How would you describe the homeless and disadvantaged • Tom is a missing person. character of the pimp? people each week. It features What factors may have laptop computers and wireless contributed to Tom becoming • Which scenes reveal that the pimp broadband connection to allow a missing person? Who might is predatory and controlling? the homeless and disadvantaged have reported Tom as missing? • What other words would to access accommodation and Find out more about missing you use to describe the support services, send and persons in Australia and pimp’s attitude to Tom? receive emails and, at times, internationally by visiting the • Why do you think the pimp has reconnect with family and friends. Australian Federal Police missing so much control over Tom? Refreshments are served by the persons MySpace profile and Salvation Army volunteers. the ‘Don’t You Forget About Setting • The Nokia StreetConnect bus Me’ YouTube channel. operates seven days a week in The National Missing Persons WALL BOY uses the settings of The locations including the inner- Coordination Centre produces Wall in Darlinghurst, the interior of the city of Sydney, western and a bi-annual national missing bus, the Salvation Army refuge, the outer-western Sydney and persons’ poster. The poster interior of the pimp’s car, the interior the NSW Central Coast. is published in March and of the car used to rescue Tom and Read about this outreach venture October and is distributed the exterior of the airport terminal. at . libraries and public hospitals. each setting contributes to What role does this poster the telling of the story. Imagery and symbolism play in Tom’s story? • The Wall is a real place in Sydney. Originally it was a popular location • What images establish Tom’s The youth worker for male street sex work. In recent innocence and vulnerability? years due to police activity and • What images establish the nature • How would you describe the changes in mobile technology of the relationship between Tom SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM character of the youth worker? allowing liasons to be pre- and the Salvation Army worker, • How does the youth worker arranged, street work has declined and between Tom and his pimp? perceive his role? What and The Wall has become more • What images establish the plight makes him feel so responsible of a venue for homeless people to of the people who live on the for Tom’s welfare? gather as food vans still frequent streets of Kings Cross? What

8 captains. They will be the first speakers for each team. They will introduce the team’s case. Every speaker in the debate must speak for at least one minute. Ask a staff member to adjudicate the debate. Invite students from another class to listen to the debate. • Do you think WALL BOY has the power to influence social change? • ‘WALL BOY is a story of survival.’ Do you agree? Nicola Daley, • ‘WALL BOY takes us from 16mm camera hurt to hope.’ Discuss. • ‘WALL BOY reveals that circumstances can change for the better.’ Discuss.

the calendar clicking through the Create images of the street people weeks, the crying baby, the clicking did you view as positive? of computer keys, the car doors • Make a short film that tells a story As a class discuss the use of locking and the plane taking off. of a youth facing circumstances symbols to tell the story, portray • How does music contribute that place them at risk. characters and establish the to the telling of the story? All elements of the production concerns of WALL BOY. For • Should we feel hopeful after viewing should be undertaken example, what is the symbolic the closing scene of WALL BOY? collaboratively. meaning of the rollerblades, the • WALL BOY is based on a true Submit a production design plan StreetConnect bus, the laptop, story. Why is this information that indicates your intention; the missing person’s poster included in the closing credits audience; style and/or genre; and the pimp’s binoculars. of WALL BOY? Did it change storyline and/or outline of content; your opinion of WALL BOY? techniques of engagement; location Production values • What does WALL BOY tell us and/or setting; dialogue, narration about the filmmakers’ priorities? and/or interview questions; camera: • What expectations does the Visit their website at . edit details and transitions; lighting; are you positioned as a viewer? music and/or sound effects. • WALL BOY is a short drama. Its Discuss Your film should be five to ten running time is 17 minutes. As a minutes in duration, including class, discuss the demands of The following topics could be titles and/or credits sequences. crafting a film for such a format. discussed via written responses, When the films are finished, • How are production values debates, panel discussions organise a screening and invite designed to influence your and online forums. other members of the school response to Tom, the Salvation community to attend. Army workers, Tom’s pimp, the • ‘The statistics on youth • Write and perform a monologue other wall boys and the street homelessness – there are 32,000 for your Drama class. You will people who depend on the services homeless youths on any given night need to decide whose story you offered by the StreetConnect bus? in Australia – are easily glossed want to tell. Will the subject of your • When do we see things from the over. To understand what they monologue be a missing youth or pimp’s perspective? Identify camera really mean, we need to watch films a young person who is facing the shots that offer the pimp’s point like WALL BOY.’ Do you agree? hardships of being homeless or of view. What do these camera • What does WALL BOY tell us about a youth worker. Before you begin shots allow us to think and feel? an individual’s need for security? writing the monologue you will • Watch WALL BOY again and listen • ‘Reducing youth homelessness is need to create a character profile. to the soundtrack. What sounds everyone’s responsibility.’ Hold a Draw on WALL BOY and your SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM are used to tell the story? Why? class debate. Divide the class into close analysis of the film. Draw Draw students’ attention to the two teams. The affirmative team on the information that you have sound of police sirens, the bus will agree with the contention. gained from completing some of engine, the conversations of the The negative will disagree with the discussion and research tasks street people, passing traffic, the contention. Appoint team that are part of this study guide.

9 • National Youth Week takes place in the week beginning 1 April 2012. National Missing Persons Week occurs in August 2012. International Missing Children’s Day is held on 25 May 2012. Design a poster to promote one of these events. Display the posters around the school campus. • Write and publish a feature article about one of the issues raised by WALL BOY. Draw on WALL BOY and your close analysis of the film. Draw on the information that you have gained from completing some of the discussion and research tasks that are part of this study guide. Before you begin writing, decide on the publication that will and helps young people aged feature your article. Are you writing between twelve and eighteen years to youth workers and the sector for a newspaper or magazine? to talk about family reconciliation. through training, policy and When you have made your Reconnect may assist in resolving structural advocacy research decision, think about your likely some of the issues relating to a and sector development and audience and the format of your young person going missing. See raising community awareness. article. Use vocabulary and adopt a . national, 24-hour confidential appropriate images from the • THE OASIS Youth Network is telephone support service with Internet to include in your article. the Salvation Army’s response to trained counselors for young youth homelessness in Australia. Australians aged between Research project 1: THE OASIS centre in Surry Hills, five and eighteen years. Someone cares NSW offers innovative support http://www.kidshelp.com.au programs and services to help • Talking Works is an interactive Find out more about an homeless, disadvantaged and website for young people aged organisation that supports young disconnected young people fourteen to seventeen years; its people who are at risk. turn their lives around. purpose is to raise awareness http://www.salvos.org.au/oasis and assist young people to Choose an organisation from • MensLine Australia is a unique identify those potentially at risk the list below or choose another telephone support, information of going missing and to learn organisation that you are aware of. and referral service, helping men how they can help each other. to deal with relationship problems http://www.talkingworks.com.au Working with a partner, use the internet in a practical and effective way. • Kings Cross Youth at Risk to find out more about the organisation. http://www.menslineaus.org.au assists young people who have Use PowerPoint to share your findings • The Inspire Foundation is a become involved in a high- with the class. Limit your presentation national non-profit organisation risk lifestyle in Kings Cross. to ten slides. Make sure that you that aims to create opportunities http://www.cityofsydney. include words and images in your for young people to change their nsw.gov.au/community/ presentation. You may include audio. world. The Inspire Foundation YouthServices/YouthPrograms/ also operates Reach Out, which KXXYouthAtRisk.asp • The federal government provides information, support • What are the benefits of becoming Department of Families and and resources to improve young involved in volunteer work? Are Housing, Community Services people’s understanding of mental you involved in any volunteer and Indigenous Affairs runs health issues, develop resilience, work, or do you know anyone the Reconnect program, which increase coping skills, and who is? What sort of organisation SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM provides assistance to young facilitate help-seeking behaviour. would you choose to volunteer people who are homeless or http://www.reachout.com.au for and in what capacity? What at risk of becoming homeless. • Yfoundations is a peak body that sort of commitment would Reconnect provides community- seeks to end youth homelessness. you be prepared to make? based early intervention services The organisation provides support

10 Research project 2: staff who may have expertise and Links Youth homelessness experience to contribute to the forum. Invite students from other http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov. The National Youth Commission classes and year levels who have au/community/YouthServices/ Inquiry into Youth Homelessness is participated in outreach work to YouthPrograms/KXXYouthAtRisk.asp only the second inquiry, specifically speak at the forum. You will need focused on homelessness, to to appoint one or more students http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/ be conducted independently of from the class to moderate the housing/progserv/homelessness/ government. The first was the discussion. It may be useful for reconnect/Pages/default.aspx landmark Human Rights and Equal the class to watch a program that Opportunity Inquiry headed by Brian uses a forum approach to discuss http://www.kidshelp.com.au Burdekin in 1989. As a result of the contemporary issues such as Q&A Burdekin Report, youth homelessness on the ABC and Insight on SBS. http://www.missingpersons.gov.au became an identifiable community • Do you think the current federal problem and impetus was given to and state governments have http://www.nokia.com.au/about some important new initiatives. made youth homelessness -nokia/community/community a priority issue? -involvement/nokia-street-connect The National Youth Commission held twenty-one days of hearings in 2007 Watch http://www.menslineaus.org.au across all states and territories. People gave formal evidence and written THE OASIS (2008), by Shark Island http://www.nyc.net.au submissions were received from Productions, is a documentary about community organisations, individuals the youth of Oasis, a grimy brick youth http://www.reachout.com.au and government departments. refuge in inner-city Sydney. They are tough kids from tough backgrounds http://www.salvationarmy.org.au The National Youth Commission’s living dangerous lives. No story is findings have been published in too horrific, no circumstances too http://www.salvos.org.au/ Australia’s Homeless Youth Report. dire, no kid too damaged for its need-help/youth-issues The report is available to download tireless director, Salvation Army as a summary or in chapters at Captain Paul Moulds. See . www.theoasismovie.com.au>. http://www.sharkisland.com.au • Working as an individual, POLLY AND ME (2009), by Shark spend time reading a chapter Island Productions, is the story of http://www.talkingworks.com.au of Australia’s Homeless Youth one little girl who has fallen between report. Make a dot point the cracks. Polly’s story reminds us http://www.theoasismovie.com.au summary of the chapter. that just because we don’t see her, • Working as a class, organise it doesn’t mean she isn’t there. The http://www.wallboy.com.au a forum discussion about short fiction film is a companion youth homelessness. Invite the piece to WALL BOY. See . org.au careers coordinator and other

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