Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:33:30 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 list Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Schools encouraged to nominate students creating positive image http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132777 Content:

Youth Minister Donna Faragher today encouraged all high schools to recognise the positive contribution young people make to the community.

 

Launching the 2010 Positive Image Award, Mrs Faragher said the program had been revitalised to recognise groups of high school students, who were working to make a difference in their communities.

 

“So many young people work quietly and without fanfare on a range of significant projects that make a real difference to many people’s lives,” she said.

 

“But too often society concentrates on the activities of just a few young people and negative perceptions are created that can unfortunately become widespread.

 

“One of my priorities as Youth Minister is to help promote the many positive activities of our young people and to celebrate and reward them for their community participation.”

 

The Minister said high schools were invited to submit an entry for the 2010 Positive Image Award where students had created a ‘positive image’ of young people by:

 

·           improving young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing

·           increasing awareness among young people of the negative impacts of drug and alcohol abuse

·           enhancing positive community perceptions of young people

·           enhancing the lives of young people with disabilities

·           recognising and supporting young carers

·           addressing youth homelessness.

Nomination details have been sent to all Western Australian high schools and can be downloaded from the Office for Youth website http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/AwardsEvents/Awards/Pages/PositiveImageAwards.aspx or phone 6217 8531.

 

Applications close on March 12, 2010 and winners will be announced during National Youth Week in April 2010.

 

Minister's office - 9213 7250
Date: 13/11/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: All
]]> Stratford, Pamela Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:05:08 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132777 New playground splashes to life at Ellenbrook http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132754 Content:

The eagerly-awaited, award-winning Rainbow Waters Playground at Ellenbrook was officially opened today by Youth Minister and East Metropolitan Region MLC Donna Faragher.

 

The playground was funded by the State Government through a $2.5million Sport and Recreation grant for Ellenbrook lifestyle facilities, combined with funding from the LWP Property Group and City of Swan.

 

Mrs Faragher said the playground was the biggest free outdoor water facility in Western Australia and was a great addition to the Ellenbrook lifestyle.

 

“I am sure Rainbow Waters will become a community focal point for people gathering here during the hot summer months and it is free and accessible to all Western Australians,” she said.

 

Winner of a Park and Leisure Australia National Award of Excellence for open space, the playground was designed by Plan E.

 

The facility was developed in consultation with the community, using environmentally-sensitive design elements, as well as initiatives such as a splash pad surface, which has not been used before in Perth.

 

“Visitors of all ages can experience more than 15 interactive and creative water elements, visit the BMX dirt track, enjoy a picnic by the lake, view sculptures, take a walk along the landscaped paths, use the playing field or visit the community garden,” the Minister said.

 

“Ellenbrook is one of Perth’s fastest-growing suburbs and I hope the community and visitors will use and enjoy this wonderful facility for decades to come.”

 

A competition to name the playground was won by Ellenbrook resident Katie-Rose Ashby.

 

Minister's office - 9213 7250
Date: 8/11/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Eastern Metropolitan
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:26:17 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132754 Community called to apply for grants to host events for youth http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132704 Content:

Communities across Western Australia are being urged to apply for funding to hold an event during National Youth Week (NYW) 2010.

 

Youth Minister Donna Faragher today announced that organisations could apply for NYW grants of up to $1,000, from a pool of nearly $70,000, to hold an event for young people.

 

The State Government provides $40,000 with the Federal Government providing the remainder of the funds.

 

National Youth Week, which runs from April 10-18, 2010, highlights the positive contributions young people make to the community.  The 2010 theme is ‘Live it now’.

 

“It is Australia’s biggest annual celebration of young people, involving thousands of events, concerts, competitions and fun ways for our youth to engage with their communities,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“Activities and events undertaken during NYW are developed by young people, for young people, to celebrate and recognise the value of all young Australians to their communities.”

 

To be considered for a grant, organisations must hold events that:

 

·          provide opportunities for young people aged 12-25 to express their ideas and views, raise issues of concern to them, and act on issues that affect their lives

·          provide opportunities to the wider community to listen to young people and acknowledge and celebrate the positive contribution that young people make to their local communities

·          highlight issues of concern to young people.

 

There were 76 National Youth Week activities held across WA in April 2009 with grants totalling more than $61,000.


“Participation is a key element in the development of young people, and National Youth Week events encourage learning, confidence building and social and community connections which help to prepare young people for success,” the Minister said.

 

For more information telephone the Department for Communities Office for Youth on 6217 8400, Freecall 1800 281 116, or go online at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/youth. The application period closes on November 30.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 7250
Date: 29/10/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:08:42 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132704 Government throws lifeline to Leeuwin II http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132568 Content:

The State Government has provided a $500,000 financial lifeline to help keep the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation afloat.

 

Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron and Youth Minster Donna Faragher made the announcement in Fremantle today.

 

Mr Waldron said the money, to come from the Gaming Community Trust, would be administered by the Department for Communities Office for Youth on behalf of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

 

A consulting group funded by the Office for Youth and Lotterywest was appointed in August to undertake an independent review of the foundation’s viability and social benefits.

 

Mr Waldron said the Gaming Community Trust funds would be used to implement the recommendations of the report, primarily retiring the Leeuwin’s outstanding debts. 

 

“The Gaming Community Trust is funded by unclaimed winnings from authorised gaming events,” he said.

 

Mrs Faragher said the two-decade old Leeuwin had been an institution that has provided thousands of young Western Australians with an opportunity to test and develop themselves in a unique environment.

 

“The Office for Youth will continue to work closely with the Leeuwin and will receive regular reports on the foundation’s progress in implementing the financial consultants recommendations,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“Since its inception in 1986, more than 23,000 young people have participated in the program which gives them invaluable experience in improving their self-confidence through learning, teamwork, leadership and social skills.”

 

Racing and Gaming Minister’s office - 9213 7200

Youth Minister’s office - 9213 7250

Date: 4/10/2009
Minister: Waldron;Faragher
Portfolio: Racing and Gaming;Youth
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:13:10 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132568 State funding aids new youth work in Belmont http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132395 Content:

The City of Belmont has been given $115,500 in State funds to boost youth work through its Alternative Learning Centre.

 

Youth Minister Donna Faragher today presented the city with the Lotterywest funding, which will be used to support the position of a family worker who will work with youth disengaged from education, and their families.

 

The Alternative Learning Centre project will be run by the city through its Youth and Family Services Centre.

 

The total cost of the project is more than $335,000 with other funding coming from the Department of Employment and Training and the City of Belmont.

 

“The Alternative Learning Centre will be run in collaboration with the Belmont City College, providing alternative education to young people at risk of not gaining a satisfactory education qualification,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“The project will provide a mix of work experience, family support, practical projects and classroom learning to at least 30 young people from the local area.”

 

The State Government funding has been welcomed by Belmont City Mayor, Councillor Glenys Godfrey.

 

“This centre will provide learning experiences aimed at further encouraging young people to participate in education and training in the community, while ensuring access to support services, activities and programs that will hopefully lead onto formal accreditation, further training and in some cases, employment in local business,” Cr Godfrey said.

 

“A central part of the project will be to assist the families of the young people with counselling, advocacy, practical assistance and financial management.”

 

Minister's office  - 9213 7250
Date: 25/08/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Eastern Metropolitan
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:16:00 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132395 Kwinana youth mentoring program receives Government boost http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132270 Content:
Youth Minister Donna Faragher today presented the Town of Kwinana with a Lotterywest cheque for $122,352 to fund a two-year pilot project to mentor young people in the area.

Mrs Faragher said the mentoring project would be run through the already established LyriK Youth Incentive Program.

“It will help young people develop important life skills, such as learning how to participate in their community and dealing with challenging personal situations,” she said.

“The project aims to connect young people with positive role models and mentors who will offer support and guidance where needed.

“Providing positive mentoring for young people is something that I fully support as Youth Minister and the Office of Youth is looking at further mentoring opportunities as part of its work plan.

“The Town of Kwinana’s Youth Services Team has been very proactive in bringing this project to fruition and I thank their  team members for their efforts.”

The mentoring project will target 16 to 18-year olds.

Minister's office - 9213 7250
Date: 28/07/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: South Eastern Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:43:57 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132270 Broome HYPE making its mark http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132235 Content:

Youth Minister Donna Faragher has praised the Broome HYPE program for leading the way in supporting the town’s young people, through youth outreach street patrols.

 

“HYPE night time patrols of Broome have been highly successful in reducing the numbers of young people milling about late at night and risking getting into trouble,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“Since the community initiative began about six years ago, the number of street contacts has dropped markedly from 200 a night to an average of 30 a night.”

 

HYPE, which stands for ‘Helping Young People Engage’, is jointly funded by the Attorney General’s National Community Crime Prevention Program, until the end of 2011, and the Shire of Broome.

 

In addition, Broome police, the juvenile justice section of Corrective Services and the Department for Child Protection provide management support.

 

Among events co-ordinated by HYPE was the successful Making Movies Roadshow, engaging 20 young people in film-making workshops, conducted through the July school holidays. HYPE also supported other agencies with their events, such as the Broome Youth Support Group fortnightly Drop in Disco, which attracts about 150 young people and Police and Citizens’ Youth Centre Saturday night hang out.

 

“This is truly a united community response to a community issue, and it is delivering rewards,” the Minister said.

 

The HYPE visit also coincided with the Minister’s visit to the Lombadina and Djarindjin communities where she discussed issues facing indigenous youth.

 

The Minister heard about youth programs currently underway including the Djarindjin-Lombadina Scout Group - the first indigenous sea-scout organisation in the Kimberley - and the Youth Drug Action Plan. She also heard about the need for more programs to assist young people at these remote communities.

 

Mrs Faragher met with representatives from the Broome’s Kimberley Girl program which is delivering learning and mentoring programs to young indigenous women.

 

Minister's office - 9213 7250
Date: 22/07/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Kimberley
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:05:17 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132235 Army cadets pass NCOs course http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132195 Content:

Youth Minister Donna Faragher today presented awards to Australian Army Cadets during their graduation parade at Leeuwin Barracks. 

 

About 70 cadets have completed a Senior Non-Commissioned Officers course, which aimed to promote and develop leadership qualities within the Australian Army Cadets and qualify successful participants for promotion to the rank of Cadet Sergeant.

 

The State Government provides $2.5million in funding to the Cadets WA program each year.  Since June 2008, the Australian Army Cadets has received more than $63,000 to run programs aimed at secondary school students across Western Australia.

 

“The parade marked the culmination of the course and rewarded cadets for their hard work during the past week,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“Many people associate cadets with the Navy, Army or Air Force, but there are actually six other types of cadet groups including St John Ambulance; Surf Life Saving; Red Cross; Police Rangers; Bush Rangers; and the Emergency Services Cadet Corps.”

 

All cadets attain skills in first aid, field craft, navigation, radio communication, teamwork, leadership and problem solving.

 

“Being involved with Cadets WA is both challenging and rewarding.  It gives young people a chance to learn new skills, experience different types of physical activities and have fun,” the Minister said.

 

During the ceremony, the Minister also presented a Cadets WA Long Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) Robert Barber, the Commander of Army Cadets in this State.

 

“Lieutenant Colonel Barber has given 10 years of service to the Cadets WA program and it is people like him who ensure the program continues to provide young people with the important life skills they need to become WA’s future leaders,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 7250
Date: 11/07/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:23:37 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132195 Youth art celebrates Refugee Week 2009 http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132039 Content:

Youth Minister Donna Faragher today officially opened an art exhibition by young Western Australian students from refugee backgrounds, as part of Refugee Week 2009 celebrations.

 

Entitled Free from Fear, the theme of Refugee Week 2009, the exhibition features paintings and photographic works by students from Balga Senior High School and North Lake Senior Campus Intensive English Centres, as well as participants in programs at the Edmund Rice Centre, in Mirrabooka.

 

“Producing these works of art allowed the young people to develop technical skills to help them express their courageous journey to be free from fear,” Mrs Faragher said.   

 

“More than half of the world’s refugees are children and young people.  

 

“Young people from a refugee background face many challenges and it’s important we make this difficult journey easier for them.

 

“As Youth Minister, I am committed to encouraging a Western Australian community that is characterised by its acceptance, celebration and encouragement of all young people.”

 

The project is part of the Department for Communities’ Office for Youth’s commitment to enhancing community perceptions and the emotional wellbeing of young people.

 

Refugee Week 2009 is an annual celebration of the contributions made by former refugees to the Australian community.  

 

World Refugee Day on Saturday June 20 honours the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

 

The Free from Fear exhibition will be on display at Central Park, St George’s Terrace, Perth during Refugee Week from June 11 to 20.

 

Minister's office - 9213 7250
Date: 11/06/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:17:48 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132039 Youth Minister launches new opportunity for indigenous youth http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132041 Content:

Young indigenous people from across Western Australia will benefit from One Sky, Many Paths, an Indigenous Youth Leadership Program launched today by Youth Minister Donna Faragher.

 

The program will provide young Aboriginal people with skills in leadership, community development and management.

 

Mrs Faragher said 40 young people would attend a one-week residential learning program before and after completion of 10 weeks of project work in their local community.  

 

During the project work, they would receive training through an online network provided by Challenger TAFE and mentoring from local community leaders.

 

“This program is unique because it is seeking potential indigenous leaders and providing a varied learning program that includes skill development, community project work and mentoring,” the Minister said.

 

Mrs Faragher called on indigenous communities to nominate their potential leaders for the program and for business leaders to consider offering training or employment to graduating students.

 

“Spending time, energy and resources on developing leaders is important,” she said.

 

“We need to invest in the next generation of young indigenous people so they can help to ensure better governance and management of their organisations and communities in the future.”

 

One Sky, Many Paths was developed and funded by six State Government agencies committed to creating leadership opportunities for indigenous youth.

 

Nomination forms are available at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/youth

 

Applications close on July 17, 2009.

 

The program will start in August with the first students graduating later this year.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 7250
Date: 11/06/2009
Minister: Faragher
Portfolio: Youth
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:36:55 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132041