Youth Bulletin
Issue 4, November 2006
Welcome to the fourth edition of the source Youth Bulletin
Every month the source brings you up-to-date news on youth programs, events and competitions.
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- What do our young Indigenous leaders have to say?
- Cadets remember fallen Anzacs
- APEC=Opportunity
- What are you going to do when you leave school?
- The juice on JobJuice
- Do what you want to do, be what you want to be!
- Sustainable Schools
- 2006 Australian Training Awards
- Youth Allowance – Financial Assistance for young people
- Centrelink self service and SMS – giving you more options
What do our young Indigenous leaders have to say?
Come and listen to our young Indigenous leaders during the final presentations of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group (NIYLG) 2005-06 on 30 November 2006 at Parliament House, Canberra.
‘As a NIYLG member I feel that I am in a position to make a difference for other Indigenous youth… I feel confident but anxious when surrounded by people who want to make a difference in this world. What a great feeling!’
– Ngaree Ah Kit, Member, NIYLG 2005-06.
NIYLG is an impressive group of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, selected through a national nomination process.
NIYLG members:
- provide their perspectives to Government on issues that impact on Indigenous youth;
- are consulted by the Government on issues of interest for program and policy development;
- promote positive images of Indigenous youth; and
- develop leadership skills.
During their term on NIYLG, members participated in leadership training and worked on projects that aim to address Indigenous youth issues. At the end of their term, members will present learnings and recommendations to the Australian Government on the following projects:
- Youth Leadership
- Cultural Identity
- Education
- Employment
All government staff, Indigenous organisations and members of the public are invited to join us for the Final Presentations on Thursday 30 November 2006, 9.30am to 12.00pm at the Theatre, 1st Floor, Parliament House, Canberra. Download the invitation below and forward it to your networks. Please RSVP by 24 November 2006 to niylg@thesource.gov.au
For more information visit the NIYLG website, call 1800 624 309 (free call in Australia) or email us at niylg@thesource.gov.au
- Invitation to the Final Presentations of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group 2005-06
- PDF [609kb]
Cadets remember fallen Anzacs
Australian Air Force Cadets recently visited Gallipoli to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen ANZACs and gain an understanding of Turkish life, history and culture.
The group spent five days in Gallipoli, which included hikes from:
- Ari Burnu beach up to Plugge’s Plateau to retrace the steps of units on the morning of 25 April 1915;
- ANZAC Cove to Lone Pine via Shrapnel Valley, Braund’s Hill, Brown’s Dip and the secluded 4th Battalion Parade ground cemetery; and
- the beach near Fisherman’s Hut to Chunuk Bair via Old Number Three Outpost, Table Top and Rhododendron Ridge to retrace one of the key thrusts of the August offensive.
The cadets also held a dawn service at Ari Burnu cemetery, the site of the first ANZAC return commemoration in 1934.
‘It was a truly moving experience and one I will never forget’, said Cadet Under Officer Miles Webster.
The Australian Defence Force Cadets is a youth development organisation where you take part in unique adventurous activities in a military-like setting and get the chance to meet serving men and women.
For further information visit the Cadet Net website.
APEC=Opportunity
Have you heard of APEC? Did you know that APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and that Australia will be hosting APEC in 2007?
APEC is the regional organisation making business, travel and communication around our region easier, cheaper and safer. Throughout next year (2007) Australia will host over 100 days of meetings - including a meeting of all 21 APEC economic leaders.
But if you think that APEC is just about ‘suits’ and government officials – then think again.
APEC has real relevance for young Australians planning to travel, work and live in our Asia-Pacific region. Tamerlaine Beasley is just one of a score of young Australians benefiting from the opportunities APEC has helped create.
Tamerlaine has used her experience and knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region to start her own business doing what she loves – connecting people. ‘I have travelled and lived around the Asia-Pacific region and after a while I started thinking how can I turn something that I love – travelling within the region and working with people across different cultures – into an actual living?’ says Tamerlaine.
‘So after a stint in Thailand studying the language at Chulalongkorn and Silapakorn Universities, and in the US studying International Business at Penn State University, I came back to Australia and decided to start my own business,’ says Tamerlaine. And so ‘Beasley Intercultural’ was born.
Tamerlaine’s company trains people in government, business and other organisations to help them to better understand the challenges of working globally and in diverse cultures and contexts. Today a successful businesswoman, Tamerlaine works with organisations like the United Nations, the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and a number of leading universities and companies in the region.
Tamerlaine is excited about the opportunities linked to Australia’s hosting of APEC in 2007. ‘APEC’s return to Australia is hugely exciting and means that we will have people visiting from all over the region, setting the agenda for future regional development,’ says Tamerlaine.
Tamerlaine thinks our Asia-Pacific region offers a range of opportunities, which ultimately will have a lasting impact on the Australian way of life. ‘I was among the first in a new generation of young Australians who were able to go out and explore the region and what it had to offer – I simply fell in love,’ says Tamerlaine. ‘Get out there and find out for yourself, learn a second language, discover different cultures and realise the beauty of diversity in our region.’
Visit the APEC Australia 2007 website to find out more.
To learn more about APEC itself, visit the official APEC website.
For more information about Tamerlaine and her business, visit the Beasley Intercultural website.
What are you going to do when you leave school???
Trying to decide what to do with your life after school can be a tough decision.
That’s why the 2006 Careers Kit from the Australian Government has been sent to all secondary schools and colleges throughout Australia. The kit contains the most up-to-date information on career options, job websites and employment programmes that can help you get a step closer to your dream job!
So before you leave school for the summer break meet with your career counsellor to see what’s in the 2006 Careers Kit or visit the JobJuice website to download the electronic version.
The juice on JobJuice
Young people have help at their fingertips with JobJuice – a great tool to point them in the right direction for employment information 24 hours a day at no cost.
JobJuice is an interactive website with a wealth of information including advice on how to:
- approach employers
- start your own business
- enrol in the Australian Apprenticeships programme
- write résumés
- improve interview skills
- explore career options
- find out what training young people need for the job they want.
The JobJuice website also has a link to Australian Job Search where you can search online for a job.
For information on this and other youth-focused initiatives, including Indigenous job seeker services, and development and cadetship programmes, visit the JobJuice website.
Do what you want to do, be what you want to be!
In today’s economy the opportunities are endless! The variety of career directions and training pathways open to young people is broader than ever before.
The Skills for the Future Information Campaign can help you make the most of these opportunities by letting you know about all the different training, study and work options and work out what’s best for you.
The campaign highlights three important initiatives that help young people to get the training, skills and support you need to start planning your future:
Career Advice Australia offers all young Australians aged 13 to 19 years a range of programmes and services which help them to gain real skills and experience. The new Career Advice Australia website can connect you to the information and support you need.
Australian Apprenticeships are a great way to take up a trade. Not only do apprenticeships give you a head start on your career, you’re also earning while you’re learning.
Australian Technical Colleges offer you the opportunity to start a trade before finishing school through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. You can start your training in a traditional trade while you study for your Year 12 certificate.
Remember – it’s never too early to start thinking about your future!
For more information visit the Skills for the Future website or call the information line on 13 38 73.
Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative
Students from schools involved in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) have been having fun getting their hands dirty as they learn about sustainability through a range of practical projects.
In the ACT, Gilmore Primary School has built a thriving veggie garden where students are growing lettuce, carrots, tomatoes and more. From the sowing, weeding and watering, through to the harvesting of their produce, the students enjoy every aspect of these hands-on lessons in the garden.
There are many other practical projects happening at Sustainable Schools across Australia too. Students are learning to look after the environment and use natural resources wisely, through involvement in water recycling and saving projects, energy saving measures, and tree planting and habitat creation for native animals.
Many schools have introduced waste reduction projects, to cut the amount of rubbish going into landfill. Geelong East Primary School in Victoria is getting serious about rubbish, with recycling bins in every classroom ensuring all paper, plastic and glass is recycled. Parents are encouraged to cut down on packaging in their children’s lunchboxes, and all food scraps go into the school worm farm.
Visit the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative website for more information.
2006 Australian Training Awards
Australia’s best Apprentice’s will be recognised for their excellence at this year’s Australian Training Awards. The Australian Government Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, will present the Awards on 16th November at the Adelaide Convention Centre. These important Awards will see employers and winners of state and territory awards compete for top honours in 11 categories – five for students and six for organisations providing training.
The five Awards for Students are:
- Australian Apprentice of the Year
- Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- Stella Axarlis School-based Apprentice of the Year
A newly created category, The Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award, is named in honour of the successful Melbourne businessperson who will award the achievements of an Australian School-based Apprentice.
For more information visit the Australian Training Awards website or call the Training Awards Coordinator on 02 62408098.
Youth Allowance – Financial Assistance for young people
Youth Allowance is a means-tested payment for young people between the ages of 16 and 24 years.
Youth Allowance provides support for young people who are studying, training, seeking employment, or temporarily unable to work. It aims to give support to young people and their families as they make the transition from full-time study into employment.
To find out if you might be eligible to receive this payment visit the Centrelink website.
Centrelink self service and SMS – giving you more options
Self service
Better things to do with your time? You don’t have to go to a Centrelink office every time you want to access our services. Don’t wait in line, Centrelink has a range of secure and convenient self service options that enable you to do business with us online or on the phone. It not only saves you time, but it’s quick and easy.
With self service you can:
- make a claim for a student payment such as Austudy or Youth Allowance;
- report your employment income;
- view current study details and tell us about future study plans; and
- check when and how much you’ll be paid.
To get started you’ll need to register, visit the Centrelink website and click on the Online Services link, phone 13 2490, or head to a Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
SMSCentrelink SMS is a free service that creates a personal reminder by sending a text message to your mobile phone.
Messages can be sent for:
- appointment reminders;
- reminders to update your details;
- possible future payment alerts;
- and notification of online letters (if you have subscribed to this service.)
To subscribe, jump on the Centrelink website and follow the Reminders and Letters links from the Online Services page, call 13 2490 or head to a Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
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