Youth Bulletin
Issue 14, February 2008
Welcome to the first edition of the source Youth Bulletin for 2008.
This month’s edition contains the following articles:
- Portfolio changes affecting Youth Bureau
- National Youth Week talent competitions now open
- 2020 Youth Summit
- Young Australian of the Year 2008
- When the sky is your classroom
- YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament now seeking applications
Portfolio changes affecting Youth Bureau
With the Australian Government changes, the Youth Bureau functions and programs have moved to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Youth Programs that have moved to DEEWR include:
- Mentor Marketplace
- YouthLinx
- Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA)
Initiatives that have moved to DEEWR include:
- National Youth Week (NYW) and National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS)
- Youth consultation
- Research and analysis
The move to the new DEEWR will allow opportunities for a broad range of education, employment, family and community initiatives for young people to be brought together in one portfolio.
Some programs are staying within FaHCSIA which include:
- Reconnect and Newly Arrived Youth Support Service (NAYSS)
- National Illicit Drugs Strategy (NIDS) Strengthening Families program
Visit the website of the new Minister for Youth, The Hon Kate Ellis MP, and find out more about her.
You can also visit her personal myspace page.
Check out the Minister Ellis’s National Youth Week 2008 message
National Youth Week talent competitions now open
National Youth Week (NYW) 2008 will take place from 5-13 April and is set to be huge with plenty of events and activities happening throughout the week.
The National Talent Competition is now open. It is divided into five categories - RockIT for the budding musicians, WriteIT for those creative with words, ShootIT for the talented filmmakers, SnapIT for the upcoming photographers and DesignIT for those handy with art and graphics. Prizes include awesome Sony Digital video cameras, Casio digital cameras, iMac computers, Apple iPods and $5000 gift vouchers to spend at Allan's music stores.
NYW 2008 also brings you heaps of chances to Win Free Stuff! All you have to do is go to the NYW 2008 website and answer the simple question associated with that prize group. It's that easy! There are lots of cool prizes on offer, so check it out!
Competitions close at 5:00pm (AEST) on 14 April 2008. Conditions of entry, prize details and entry forms are available from the NYW 2008 website.
2020 Youth Summit
On 18 February the Rudd Government made an exciting announcement for Youth, inviting young people from around Australia to take part in the 2020 Youth Summit.
The 2020 Youth summit aims to harness the experience, ideas and enthusiasm of Australia’s young people as the The Australian Government is committed to young people being ‘at the table’ when the long-term challenges of our country are discussed. It will take place in Canberra on 12 and 13 April 2008 in the lead up to the Australia 2020 Summit.
100 young people (15 to 24 years of age) from across the country will discuss the ten critical areas on the agenda for the Australia 2020 summit, as well as options for the establishment of an ongoing Australian Youth Forum.
The ten critical areas of discussion are:
- Future directions for the Australian economy – including education, skills, training, science and innovation as part of the nation’s productivity agenda;
- Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities;
- Population, sustainability, climate change and water;
- Future directions for rural industries and rural communities;
- A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population;
- Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion;
- Options for the future of indigenous Australia;
- Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design;
- The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens; and
- Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world.
Nominations close COB Wednesday 5 March 2008. Anyone between the ages of 15-24 can nominate by visiting the Australia 2020 website and downloading the nomination form.
Young Australian of the Year 2008
The Young Australian of the Year Award helps to highlight the achievements of young Australians, encourages them to contribute to their communities and provides examples of high achieving young Australians who are pursuing excellence. As sponsor of the Young Australian of the Year Award, the Australian Government has helped to profile the outstanding contributions many young Australians have made to our community.
This year, Casey Stoner was named Young Australian of the Year 2008. At just 22 years of age, Casey is the World MotoGP Champion. He first competed in MotoGP racing when he was four years old, in a race for under-nine's, and he won his first national title at the ripe old age of six. By the time he was fourteen he had won 41 dirt and long track titles and 70 state titles. In a single weekend he won 32 of 35 races and all of the five titles up for grabs. Because the legal age for road racing in Australia is 16, his family took him to compete in Europe. After a string of successes since then, last year he finally accomplished his ambition of racing in the fastest and most prestigious of the cycle racing classes. With his highly competitive attitude Casey took on the best in the world and won.
Visit the Australian of the Year Awards website to find out more about all recipients of the 2008 Australian of the Year Awards.
When the sky is your classroom
Imagine sitting in the cockpit of a light aircraft with your hands on the controls flying over the Burdekin district for free!
This is exactly what 20 cadets from 109 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets recently experienced when they took part in a trial instructional flight at the Ayr Aerodrome.
The cadets enjoyed a 30 minute one-on-one flight and received expert instruction with the opportunity to operate the flight controls.
‘It was excellent. Especially taking off and landing, and getting control of the plane yourself,’ Cadet Shaun Dennis said.
‘The hands-on was a great experience,’ said Cadet Lyle Burtenshaw.
According to Commanding Officer 109 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Bruce Medley, the experience provided an excellent opportunity for the cadets to endorse what they had learnt about aviation in theory lessons.
‘The sky above Burdekin was their classroom for the day,’ he said.
The Australian Defence Force Cadets is a youth development organisation where 12 and a half to 20 year olds take part in adventurous, military-like activities, while learning about leadership, team building and themselves.
If you want to join in the fun of the Australian Defence Force Cadets visit the Cadets website
YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament now seeking applications
Applications for the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament 2008 opened on 29 January, providing 15-25 year olds in Queensland a chance to be proactive on important issues to them.
The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is an apolitical state-wide program that gives young people the opportunity to speak out about issues important to them in Queensland’s Parliament House. One young person is selected to represent each electorate in Queensland and to report the issues in their community. Next, Youth Members from across the state gather in Brisbane in April and July to discuss youth issues and begin writing Youth Bills to be debated in Parliament House.
The YMCA is looking for enthusiastic, passionate and committed young people from all kinds of backgrounds to stand up for their communities and to find out what being a politician is like. Participants receive training and support so no experience is necessary. Applications close on Friday 22 February. Nominations can be submitted via mail, fax or online.
More information and nomination forms can be found at the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament website.
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