Youth Bulletin
Issue 8, April 2007
Welcome to the April edition of the source Youth Bulletin.
This month's edition contains the following articles:
- Experience of a Lifetime
- Learn about our region through APEC, without leaving your school
- National Youth Week 2007 is finally here!
- Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer
- Do you want assistance deciding which job is for you?
- Young Mens Diversity Project Launch
Experience of a Lifetime
By Cadet Warrant Officer Tamara Sheppard - TS Tyalgum
Brace yourself. You are about to get a glimpse into the four fabulous weeks I experienced in Canada as an Australian Navy Cadet on my trip of a lifetime.
I arrived in Vancouver first, followed by cadets from Sweden, Japan, Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The following day we arrived at HMCS Quadra (The Q). We lined up on the parade ground and the band played our national anthems while our flags were raised. Australia was the first to be played; a proud moment.
Throughout our time at The Q we were put through our paces with international drill, music appreciation, seamanship, mountain hiking, diving into freezing glacier water, challenging ourselves in a confidence course, joining in on a cutter sail and undertaking power boating and sea survival.
We also had the chance to bond with the Canadian cadets through dances and beach parties, which were great fun!
Travelling to Canada brought out my independence. I grew as a person and I have become more confident in myself; I know I can do anything. I also formed life long friendships with people overseas, which opened my eyes to different cultures around the world.
This was by far the best experience of my life and I will never forget it.
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 CadetNet website.
Learn about our region through APEC, without leaving your school
As term two kicks off later this month, all high school students will have the chance to learn more about the Asia-Pacific through exploring the region’s main cooperative organisation, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum) without leaving their desks.
A new education resource kit, APEC: Strengthening our Community, Building a Sustainable Future, will be made available to all high schools in time for term 2. It takes students through four investigations on topics including regional trade, human security, pandemics and other key issues that are challenging our region today.
The Asia-Pacific is home to over half the world’s young people!
Working through this kit will strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the geography, business, cultures and languages of young people in the Asia‑Pacific region and where your future lies. Ask your teacher about it.
If you want to learn more about Australia’s hosting of APEC this year, visit the APEC 2007 website.
National Youth Week 2007 is finally here!
National Youth Week 2007 is finally here and youth across Australia are encouraged to participate in the many events taking place all week from 14‑22 April.
No matter where you live or what you’re interested in, there are opportunities everywhere for you to launch yourself into during the week. There is loads of stuff happening across the country such as festivals, concerts, displays, exhibitions, sporting activities, debates and workshops. Visit our Calendar of Events to find out what’s happening in your local area.
What about entering the National Talent Competition? The five competitions are RockIT, WriteIT, ShootIT, SnapIT and DesignIT. You can enter on your own or with a group of friends in the junior (12‑17 years) or senior (18‑25 years) age group categories. The deadline is fast approaching so don’t forget to get your entries in by 5.00pm (AEST) 23 April 2007 and check out the great prizes on the National Youth Week website.
Time is also running out to get your hands on some very cool free stuff with our Win Free Stuff Competitions! All you have to do is go online and answer a very simple question associated with the prize you want to win. It’s so easy! All National Youth Week Win Free Stuff competitions close at 5.00pm EST on 23 April so make sure you get in quick.
Winners will be announced on the National Youth Week website in June.
Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer
There is great news for young women and girls in Australia - a new vaccine that can protect against the cause of most cervical cancers.
Starting from April 2007, the Australian Government will provide the vaccine free to all women and girls aged between 12 and 26 through the National HPV Vaccination Program.
The vaccine protects against certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are known to cause 7 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer and 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.
Once the program begins, the vaccine will be given to girls, free of charge, at their schools. In some states, the vaccination program may be staggered, so that some schoolgirls are vaccinated this year and the rest in 2008.
If you are aged 26 years or younger and not currently in school, you can also receive the vaccination. From July 2007, the vaccine will be available free from your local GP or community immunisation clinic.
For more information about HPV and the HPV vaccine visit www.australia.gov.au/cervicalcancer or call the National Immunisation Infoline on 1800 671 811.
Do you want assistance deciding which job is for you?
Sarah left school in Year Nine, leaving her unsure of her career options. She contacted Centrelink and was referred to the Career Planning Programme which helped her decide on a career in child care. The Career Planning process assisted Sarah to enrol at a local Centre for Continuing Education to complete her Year 10 studies. Sarah qualified for a TAFE course in child care, which she started this year.
If you’re not sure of your future career options or you know what job you want but just don't know how to get there, you may be eligible for Career Planning. You need to be a registered job seeker with Centrelink and either be:
- receiving an income support payment, or
- aged 15-20 and not eligible for income support.
To register, speak to your Centrelink Customer Service Adviser or Job Network member.
For more information, visit the Centrelink website or phone Centrelink on 13 28 50.
Young Mens Diversity Project Launch
Mensline Australia is about to launch its new Young Mens Diversity Project aimed at young men (18-25 years) to inform and refer them to relationship counselling and information services.
The project team is looking to recruit young men to be part of a group that will discuss current relationship issues and needs amongst young men.
Mensline Australia is a national telephone counselling, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns and is funded by the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
The Young Mens Diversity Project aims to increase young men’s knowledge of Mensline Australia, increase active engagement of young men in the community and identify and address their family and relationship needs and issues.
Key activities that the project will include are:
- chatroom discussions on relevant topics
- the development of fact sheets
- digital story-telling to communicate information
- telephone counselling via mobile phones and
- the redevelopment of the Mensline Australia website to cater to a younger audience
Why not have your say and be part of the Young Mens Diversity Project discussion group?
Email Stephen Hodges from the Young Mens Diversity Project Team for more details.
If you want to learn more about Mensline Australia, visit the Mensline Australia website.
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