Media Statements - Thirty two country youth development holiday programs funded

2/7/99

Family and Children’s Services Minister Rhonda Parker today announced that 32 country organisations had received funds to run youth development holiday programs this month.

“These programs provide activities during school holidays for young people in high school years 8-12,” Mrs Parker said.

“Youth development holiday programs give young people an opportunity to participate in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities designed to build confidence, increase self-esteem and enhance social, teamwork and leadership skills.

“Young people will be able to participate in activities such as abseiling, camping, bush walking, rock-climbing, arts and crafts, theatre workshops and a variety of sports and team games.

“These activities will provide young people with challenges and many new experiences. It will give them a break from their normal environment and provide them with the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.”

Mrs Parker said the funding demonstrated the Coalition Government’s commitment to supporting young people and their families.

The following organisations have received funding:

Eastern Goldfields YMCA

- $1,765 for a 10-day holiday program for young people aged 12-15 years from Kalgoorlie, Boulder, Coolgardie and Kambalda. Young people will be provided with a range of indoor and outdoor activities which will take place at the YMCA Recreation Centre and other facilities in the Kalgoorlie/Boulder area.

Eastern Goldfields Aboriginal Advancement Council

- $2,000 for a 10-day holiday program for young people in school years 8-12. Young people will be able to participate in sports, cultural and art activities, visits to the cinema and bush excursions. The program will be conducted at the Maku Stadium and in and around Kalgoorlie.

Carnarvon Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC)

- $1,200 for a 10-day holiday program for predominantly ‘marginalised’ young people aged 12-17 years from Carnarvon. Young people will be able to participate in a range of activities including rollerskating, basketball, canoeing, mini-Olympics, bush survival courses, nature-walking, fishing and crabbing. The program will be conducted at various locations in and around Carnarvon including Pelican Point, the town oval, the local beach and Rocky Pool.

Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre

- $1,000 for a five-day holiday program for young people aged 12-17 years from Geraldton and surrounding areas. The program will be conducted at various locations around Geraldton and include activities such as Tai Chi and gym introductory classes, under-age discos and a fun day.

Shire of Mullewa

- $1,400 for a 10-day holiday program for predominantly ‘marginalised’ Aboriginal young people aged 12-17 years from Mullewa. Young people will be able to participate in a video production workshop incorporating creation of the concept, planning, behind camera production, acting, editing, soundtrack production and screening. The program will be undertaken at the Mullewa Town Hall and various locations around Yalgoo and Geraldton.

Geraldton Public Library

- $400 for three one-day “ACT before you Act” workshops for young people aged 12-17 years from Geraldton. Those attending the workshops will be provided with the opportunity to write and construct a book using critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. The workshops will be conducted at the Geraldton Public Library.

Irrungadji Group Association Inc, Marble Bar

- $520 for a day trip for predominantly Aboriginal young people in school years 8-12 from Nullagine and surrounding areas. Participants will be provided with a Marble Bar marble mine tour, a visit to the Marble Bar pool and lunch.

Youth Involvement Council, Port Hedland

- $1,500 for a 10-day holiday program for predominantly Aboriginal and ‘at risk’ young people aged 13-17 years from the Hedland area. Young people will be able to participate in a range of activities including team sports using equipment from a ‘Life Be In It’ trailer, under-age discos and alcohol and drug information sessions. Activities will be conducted at the Lawson Street Youth Centre and South Hedland Primary School oval.

Newman YMCA

- $1,500 for a 10-day holiday program for young people aged 12-17 years residing in or visiting Newman and other Pilbara towns. The program will be conducted at the local YMCA, historic sites/parks around Newman, Opthalmia Dam and the Kimberley Camp School in Broome. Activities will include pottery, painting, tie-dyeing, screen printing, canoeing, bush skill lessons, sports, camping, a treasure hunt and a cycle tour of Newman.

Roebourne Youth Centre

Inc

- $1,500 for a five-day holiday program for young people aged 12-18 years from the Roebourne and Cheeditha communities. Young people will be able to participate in a trip to Shark Bay, bushwalking in Francois Peron National Park, mini-golf in Denham, a dolphin cruise at Monkey Mia, swimming at Hamlin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and cultural activities at Peron Homestead with 2 members of the Yirri Yarkin Nyoongar group.

City of Mandurah Youth Services

- $1,000 for a six-day holiday program for young people aged 12-17 years from the City of Mandurah. Participants will be provided with a range of outdoor adventure and recreational opportunities aimed at developing confidence and self-esteem. Activities will include canoeing, abseiling, an ecological tour, horseriding, visits to the movies, videos, painting and informal sports. The program will be conducted in and around Mandurah, Waroona, Fairbridge and South Lakes.

Peel Youth Program

- $1,750 for a five-day holiday program for ‘at risk’ young people in school years 8-12 from the Mandurah area. Participants will be provided with a range of physically challenging outdoor activities aimed at enhancing their self-esteem and personal development. The program will be conducted in Mandurah, Fairbridge and Dwellingup.

Northcliffe Family Centre Inc

- $1,250 for a five-day holiday program for young people aged 12-18 years from Northcliffe. Participants will stay at Advent Park in Maida Vale and travel to Perth to participate in a range of recreational activities including football, basketball, Q-Zar, ice-skating, shopping at the Fremantle markets, visits to the movies and scenic drives along the beach.

Shire of Bridgetown/Greenbushes

- $1,250 for a three-day camp for young people aged 12-17 years from the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes. The camp will be situated at Woodman Park and participants will be provided with a shopping trip to Fremantle and visits to the movies, Adventure World, Scitech and the beach.

NEEDAC, Bunbury

- $1,000 for a cultural youth trip for young people aged 13-17 years from the Bunbury area. A group comprising 20 Aboriginal and 10 non-Aboriginal youth will travel to Broome, visiting communities and areas of significance to the Aboriginal culture.

Bunbury Regional Art Galleries

- $600 for a series of art and craft workshops for young people aged 13-16 years from Bunbury and surrounding areas. The workshops will be conducted at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery over a five-day period and will focus on individual and groupwork.

Peppermint Grove Beach Community Association

- $600 for a four-day holiday program for young people aged 13-16 years from the Peppermint Grove Beach and Capel area. Activities will include a range of indoor and outdoor games and an overnight stay in Margaret River.

Agencies for South West Accommodation

- $550 for a four-day holiday program for young people aged 12-17 years residing between Harvey and Augusta. The program will be conducted at Camp Mornington near Harvey and include activities such as caving, abseiling, team games, self defence lessons, communication games, goal setting and problem solving exercises and a treasure hunt.

York Community Centre

- $1,100 for a holiday program for young people in school years 8 and above from the Shire of York and Avon Valley and young males requiring support. The program will comprise a three-day camp at Waroona Dam and an activity day at Midland and Mirrabooka. Those attending the camp will be provided with a range of challenging physical activities designed to enhance their self-esteem, confidence and team work and leadership skills. Those attending the activity day will be able to participate in activities such as ice-skating, trips to the movies and other activities designed to enhance their physical co-ordination and social skills.

Mukinbudin Shire Council

- $865 for a two-day holiday program for young people aged 12-17 years from the Mukinbudin District. Young people will stay in Perth and travel to various locations to participate in activities such as rollerskating, visits to the museum, ‘Life Be In It’ activities and a BBQ at Kings Park.

Toodyay Community Resource Centre

- $500 for an “Essential Driver Information” course for young people aged 12-17 years from Toodyay. The course will be based at the ARK Road Safety Centre in Armadale and focus on personal safety and mechanical and safe driving tips.

Central Wheatbelt Games

- $750 for a one-day holiday program for young people aged 13-17 years from Merredin. The program will be conducted at the Merredin High School Gymnasium and the local SES base and include activities such as abseiling, indoor rock-climbing and orienteering.

Fitzroy Crossing Aboriginal Sporting Association

- $700 for a holiday program for young people in school years 8-12 from the Fitzroy Valley area. A sport and recreational camp will be provided for the older children from a variety of locations in the Fitzroy Valley and a disco for the younger children at the Fitzroy Recreation Centre.

Halls Creek Youth Service

- $700 for a six-day holiday program for young people aged 12-16 years from Halls Creek. The program will be conducted at the Halls Creek Shire Hall and various locations in and around Halls Creek and include activities such as bush trips, bush craft and bush jewellery making.

Kununurra Youth Service

- $700 for a holiday program for young people aged 13-17 years from Kununurra. Participants will be provided with a range of physically challenging activities aimed at enhancing self-esteem and personal development. The program will be conducted in Kununurra and surrounding communities and include activities such as camping, abseiling and sports.

Oombulgurrie Aboriginal Corporation

- $500 for a holiday program for Aboriginal young people aged 12-17 years. The program will provide participants with a range of sporting activities aimed at developing skills, enhancing self-esteem and promoting positive leisure pursuits. Activities will be conducted in Oombulgurrie, Wyndham and Kununurra and include soccer, swimming, cricket, volleyball and basketball.

Kalumburu Youth Group

- $500 for a holiday program for Aboriginal young people aged 12-18 years from Kalumburu. They will be provided with a range of recreational and sporting activities, cultural pursuits and teamwork and leadership exercises. The program will be conducted in Kalumburu and Kununurra.

Warmun Aboriginal Corporation

- $500 for a holiday program for Aboriginal young people aged 12-18 years from the Kununurra and Kalumburu areas. Participants will be provided with a range of sporting, craft and cultural activities aimed at developing leadership and teamwork skills, enhancing self-esteem and encouraging positive leisure time pursuits. The program will be conducted in Warmun and Kununurra.

Derby Aboriginal Sporting Association

- $700 for a holiday program for young people aged 13-17 years from the Derby area. Young people will be able to participate in leadership excursions, fishing trips, discos, music shows and sporting events. The program will be conducted at the Derby Sporting Association and in and around Derby.

Diocese of Broome

- $500 for a four-day camp for young people in school years 9-12 from Broome, Bidyadanea, Kalumburu, Derby and Beagle Bay. The camp will be based at Bell Gorge, Gibb River Road and provide participants with a range of challenging physical activities and song, dance and drama workshops.

Bardi Aboriginal Association

- $500 for a holiday program for young people aged 13-17 years. Young people will be able to participate in traditional hunting and dancing lessons provided by Aboriginal Elders, team building exercises and community based project work. The program will be conducted at One Arm Point, Sunday Island and in the Bardi area.

Broome Youth Support Group

- $700 for a holiday program for young people aged 13-18 years from Broome. Young people will be able to participate in camping and cultural activities, discos and arts and crafts workshops. The program will be conducted at a camp-site North of Broome and the local drop-in centre.

For details of individual recipients please contact Liz Di Giovanni on 9222 2833.

Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810