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This Feature
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 • 1 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN LIFTOUT ADVERTISING LIFTOUT Advice stems from personal experience He was eager to pass on life lessons to young people going through similar struggles. From there, the progression to becoming a Young Member was natural. “To be chosen as the individual who would represent our state was a complete honour and to say I was stoked is an understatement,” Mr Caldwell said. Celebrating youth around the country Young people are preparing to be motivated by the events of this year’s National Youth Week, set to take place around the country from April 10 to 19. The theme for 2015, “It starts with us”, reflects the importance of young people around the nation as they transition into tomorrow’s leaders. The first event in the 2015 National Youth Week calendar is the ever-popular KickstART festival in Perth’s CBD. Visitors can enjoy a range of entertainment, displays, resource materials and market stalls displaying the creativity of WA’s youth. Festivities will occur across Australia, celebrating the achievements and efforts of the young people who make this country great. Following this celebration will be a week of innovative events around the state led by young people, including workshops, music events, discussion and information forums and art exhibitions. In Western Australia, activities are being held in both metropolitan and regional areas. The program of activities within this feature will help you map out which events you wish to attend. “I have come to realise now though that everything happens for a reason and if it wasn’t for overcoming the trials life threw at me, I wouldn’t be here. “There is always hope. Now I get the opportunity to hold a microphone and let people know that.” Now 22 years old, Mr Caldwell works at local newspaper, the Broome Advertiser. The Broome Headspace Centre, where Mr Caldwell was first based, introduced him to NYW, as the centre runs a skate competition during the celebrated week. “The staff there were also the ones who nominated me for this WA Young Person position,” he said. “Obviously I’d say to attend as many events as possible, but ultimately the KickstART Festival on April 11 is where it’s at,” he said. “It will be a Saturday packed with sweet stuff to do and get involved with. I’m even flying 2500km just to be there.” Mr Caldwell said the 2015 message of “It starts with us” resonated strongly with him. “I was so glad this was the theme for NYW 2015, as the significance of those four little words is huge,” he said. “If we want to see change, it starts with us doing something. If we want to enhance our lives and the lives of others, it starts with us doing something. “We only get one shot at this life, so keep your eyes on your dreams and never stop until you reach them. “I want to be the ‘older brother’ figure that young people can look up to and follow. I think the overall goal is that I can change many young lives for the better.” H te Ka ill. Pictu re: Trent Caldwell is the 2015 National Youth Week (NYW) representative for Western Australia. At the age of 20 Mr Caldwell was institutionalised with mental illness, which led him straight into the path of the Headspace Youth Committee in Broome. Trent said he was excited about NYW and suggested what people could see and do. barking gecko theatre company Ensembles enrol now Term 2 starts 29 april call 9380 3080 OR email gecko@barkinggecko.com.au AGE GROUPS 6-8 YEARS - LITTLE GECKOS 9-12 YEARS - JUNIOR GECKOS 13-17 YEARS - SENIOR GECKOS ENSEMBLES RUN AFTER SCHOOL AND SATURDAYS ACROSS THE TERM AT SUBIACO ARTS CENTRE AND KOORLINY ARTS CENTRE 2 • FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 LIFTOUT THE WEST AUSTRALIAN ADVERTISING LIFTOUT Council workshops provide valuable life skills and friendships To celebrate National Youth Week, the City of Bayswater is running free first aid workshops for young people, supported by the Department of Local Government and Communities. The Youth First Aid workshops will take place at Bayswater Waves and teach basic first aid and CPR, providing young people with the opportunity to learn new skills, meet different people and have fun. Workshops will run on Tuesday April 14 (14-17 years) and Wednesday April 15 (18-25 years) from 10am to 1pm. The workshops are an initiative of the Bayswater Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The YAC is a group of young people aged 12 to 25, who meet to discuss local issues and plan youth programs and events, including school holidays activities, a band competition, annual youth festival, art exhibition and barista workshops. The group is always on the lookout for new ideas and encourages young people who live, work or study in the City of Bayswater to get involved. For First Aid Workshop registrations and more information about the YAC, contact Ashleigh on 9272 0621, Gemma on 9272 0658 or email yac@bayswater.wa.gov.au. Editor: Louise Allan Writer: Bianca Bartucciotto Subeditor: Kirsten Hyam Design: Jessica Rykers Advertising: Ron McFarlane, 9482 3588 Tess Arnoldi, 9482 3209 Welcome message from WA Youth Minister Tony Simpson KickstART festival in the Perth CBD, with market stalls, entertainment, displays and resource materials showcasing the skills and talents of young people. This year is my hat-trick as the WA Youth Minister, so it’s my third time to celebrate National Youth Week with young people throughout the state of Western Australia. Young people make up 20 per cent of WA’s population – the fastest growing population of youth in Australia. You are our future and it is important that we support you to reach your full potential. It all ties in with the State Government’s “Our Youth – Our Future: WA’s Youth Strategic Framework”, which guides youth program and service planning. It is a whole-of-government blueprint to support young people to achieve their goals. As part of this, my government provides $2.11 million to 14 WA youth services each year. Over the past three years I have travelled to youth events around the state – to Broome, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie, to name a few. I have witnessed the incredible energy, dedication, passion and determination of young Western Australians that goes into planning and participating in events. As the theme “It starts with us” suggests, the Youth Week program will be designed and managed by local young people, with support from the State Government, the City of Perth and Propel Youth Arts WA. The first event is the popular This will be followed by a week of youthled, creative and innovative events around the state, funded by grants from the State Government, which will include discussion and information forums, workshops, music events and art exhibitions. National Youth Week will serve up something for everyone and I encourage you to find out more about the many activities on offer in 2015. My government is proud to support National Youth Week, which runs from April 10 to 19. It serves as a perfect platform to celebrate these qualities and connects young people to arts and culture. Such activities can leave a lasting impression on young people who take part and on their communities. Tony Simpson with the Rockingham Youth Advisory Council. Join in and celebrate across the state In addition to various National Youth Week events around Perth, there are many opportunities for young people in regional areas to join in the festivities. Youth from all regions are encouraged to contact their local community to discover the activities being held near them during NYW. Here are some regional events taking place to help celebrate WA’s young adults. City of Karratha: Let your hair loose and get head-banging at the Karratha Battle of the Bands (Eastern Corridor), where young people from Wickham, Roebourne and Point Samson can showcase their talents. Shire of Shark Bay: Amazing Race fans rejoice. The Shire of Shark Bay is holding a NYW Amazing Race event. Young people from Denham, Useless Loop, Monkey Mia and Carnarvon are encouraged to form teams and compete in challenges to receive clues that will take them to the next challenge. Jobs South West: Young people aged 14 to 17 are invited to the Youth Justice Rave 2.0 event in Bunbury’s CBD. Admittance is $5 to receive an entry wristband, glow stick and water. Shire of Northam: Northam’s Got Talent will promote the various skills of young Northamers, who are set to perform in front of a live audience. A disco will follow the event. Shire of Wongan-Ballidu: The Strive 2015 is a one-day foot rally around Wongan Hills, where participants will be given clues to reach check points along the way, providing valuable life lessons on empowerment, communication and learning to follow their dreams. The event will finish with a barbecue and award ceremony. Headspace Bunbury: The town will play host to the TedxYouth@Bunbury forum to discuss this year’s theme, “It starts with us”. Town of Port Hedland: The National Youth Week Ball 2015 will be carried out in Port Hedland, with the theme “my hero”. Young people are invited to attend the ball dressed as someone they identify as a hero. For more information on events, visit www.youthweek.com. Mountain Bike and BMX events THRILLS ...and spills! Sunda y 2 6 Ap ril MONSTER jumps various (from 2015 FREE KIDS noon) activities Edwa rd Mi ll E as t V ictori en Reser ve a Park Children are our greatest asset and our most precious treasure TOTALLY FREE EVENT! Highlights: Perth Radiological Clinic agrees and that’s why we: Urban Down Hill Race BMX Jump Competition Mountain Bike Jump Jam • have specialist paediatric radiologists to manage children’s imaging • always consider MRI or ultrasound first in children • use new generation LOW-DOSE CT Freestyle Now BMX STUNT SHOWS TGIF Hawkers Markets see our page on Red Bull FACEBOOK DJ FREE CHILDREN’S CYCLING CLINICS by Rock ‘n’ Roll 2824279πJFRMc100415 • tailor our X-ray and CT protocols to achieve even further dose reductions • undertake rigorous Q&A programmes to ensure class leading results Rest assured your young patients are in safe hands. www.perthradclinic.com.au Leaders in Medical Imaging Check out Facebook.com/ johnhughesslopestyle for further information finish line! FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 • 3 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN LIFTOUT ADVERTISING LIFTOUT Initiative seeks to assist the disadvantaged Anglicare WA is proud to be part of the successful Foyer Oxford project, which for the past year has been helping young people get off the streets. The first year of operation has proved successful, addressing the root causes of many young people’s problems. The multimillion-dollar program provides housing to a community of 98 young people, including 24 people and their children, in a purpose-built, four-storey building in Leederville. With BHP Billiton and the WA Department for Child Protection and Family Support backing the project with up to $10 million over five years, the project has helped countless people into independent, selfreliant living. As well as financial support, BHP has offered volunteers from the company to assist with baby-sitting and running cooking classes. About 80 per cent of Foyer residents who left in the past year did so into long- term positive accommodation, while 79 per cent were connected to employment and training. Theatre encourages kids to explore the arts in Kwinana, drawing in participants from all over Perth. The project is a partnership between Foundation Housing, the Central Institute of Technology and Anglicare WA. As well as productions for the stage, Barking Gecko Theatre Company (BGTC) presents an ensemble program for children aged six to 17 with an opportunity to come together to explore their ideas, learn a wide range of new skills, discover imagined worlds and have fun at the same time. Foyer Oxford Manager Jethro Sercombe said the project was one of a kind because it addressed deep-rooted problems associated with homelessness. The ensembles run for the length of the school term, four times a year, with Saturday and after-school options available for the three age bands. “I feel excited coming to Barking Gecko Theatre Company as you never know what you are going to do. We do something different every term,” BGTC Senior Ensemble member Lily said. “The Foyer program is different and successful because it focuses on people’s strengths and capacities, rather than their problems and deficits,” he said. “It gives them what they need to really thrive.” Eight-year-old Hunter, who recently took part in the Little Gecko ensemble, described coming to the workshops as “a happy place” and said “it pumps me up”. Barking Gecko is taking enrolments for term two workshops. Email gecko@barkinggecko.com.au or call 08 9380 3081. Young people at Foyer receive 24-hour assistance, which includes mentoring, links to recreational and community groups, workshops on everyday skills and assistance to find work in the local community. There are also specially designed courses at Central Institute of Technology, as well as access to the library, gym and counselling. Barking Gecko attracts high-calibre industry professionals to lead the ensembles and participants develop a wide range of skills over the term. There are three age groups: Little Geckos, for ages six to eight, Junior Geckos, for ages nine to 12 and Senior Geckos for those aged 13 to 17. The workshops are held at Subiaco Arts Centre and Koorliny Arts Centre Facilitating healthy bodies and minds Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe, painless and powerful diagnostic imaging test. Perth Radiological Clinic has specialist paediatric doctors who oversee and report MRI scans on children from six years of age. MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce exquisite images of many of the body’s internal structures. The clinic bulk bills all Medicare eligible MRI scans referred from general practitioners for all children up to 16 years of age at four metropolitan locations – Joondalup, Subiaco, Midland and Booragoon. MRI is a very safe test and it does not use radiation to collect the images. Scans are typically completed within 20 to 30 minutes. Visit www.perthradclinic.com.au. Building confidence and resilience With more than 27 per cent of Palmerston’s client population under the age of 24, Ms McHale said it was critical to provide youth-appropriate services by trained and talented staff who were dedicated to working with young people. As a non-government organisation, Palmerston is there for young people to help them open up about what is bothering them in their lives. Often things are happening in their lives that are bigger than alcohol or drug use, so it makes sense to help young people develop insight and build resilience. Ultimately Palmerston wants young people to feel empowered to seek help when needed, resolve the problems they face with confidence and increase life satisfaction. Palmerston works with young people wherever they feel comfortable. Counsellors can meet with them in the office, at school, in a community or youth centre, or elsewhere. Important in this relationship is respect and trust. Palmerston Youth Counsellor Simone said prevention strategies included how to look after your mates, what standard drinks looked like and safer ways to do things. “We have worked with young people on cooking and buying cheaper, healthier ingredients,” she said. “And by doing this, we can build a supportive relationship which encourages our clients to open up.” PROUDL Y AUSTWREST ALIAN When you depend on the right result, 2822540πJFTA100415 When working with young people, providing a safe, non-judgmental environment to open up conversations about what is going on for the young person is essential, according to Palmerston Association CEO Sheila McHale. the choice is clear . The official supplier of choice for www.skg.com.au 4 • FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 LIFTOUT THE WEST AUSTRALIAN IT’S OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, PERTH! In the past 12 months we have provided 120 homeless young people with: • SAFE accommodation • training, EDUCATION and employment • professional SUPPORT WORKING TOGETHER TO INSPIRE CHANGE IN YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. MAJOR SUPPORTER www.foyeroxford.org.au hello@foyeroxford.org.au PH: 1800 185 685 /foyeroxford