New South Wales NSW Youth Advisory Council

Annual Report 2007

NSW YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

a n n u a l r e p o r t

The Secretariat of the NSW Youth Advisory Council can be contacted at:

Communities Division Department of Community Services 4 - 6 Cavill Ave Ashfield NSW 2131 Telephone: (02) 9716 2833 Email: yac@community.nsw.gov.au Website: www.youth.nsw.gov.au

ISSN 1446-9316

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

NEW SOUTH WALES The Hon Linda Burney MP Minister for Fair Trading Minister for Youth Minister for Volunteering Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 February 2008 Dear Minister It gives me great pleasure to present you with the 2007 New South Wales Youth Advisory Council Annual Report. Council is committed to consulting with young people and increasing young people’s participation in the community and Government. This commitment is reflected in the variety of Council activities throughout 2007. On behalf of the Council I would like to thank you for your support and commitment to working with young people. I would also like to thank the former members of the Council for their work and for the role they have played in ensuring that the Council continues to provide a link between the young people of NSW and the NSW Government. Yours sincerely Michael Yuen Chair

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Role of the Council The NSW Youth Advisory Council (“the Council”) was established in 1989, under the Youth Advisory Council Act 1989 (“the Act”), to ensure that young people participate in the development of Government policies and programs which concern them. The Act defines young people as “persons who are of, or over, 12 years of age and under 25 years of age”. The Council has the following statutory functions:

to advise the Minister on the planning, development, integration and implementation of Government policies and programs concerning young persons;

to consult with young persons, community groups and Government authorities on issues and policies concerning young persons;

to monitor and evaluate legislation and Government policies and programs concerning young persons, and to recommend changes if required;

to conduct forums, approved by the Minister, on issues of interest to young persons; and,

to collect, analyse and provide the Minister with information on issues and policies concerning young persons.

Administration of the Council The Hon Reba Meagher, MP, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Youth administered the Youth Advisory Council Act 1989 from July 2004 to April 2007. On 2 April 2007, the Hon Linda Burney, MP, was appointed Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Youth and Minister for Volunteering and now has responsibility for administering the Youth Advisory Council Act. The Communities Division in the Department of Community Services provides secretariat support to the Council. During 2007, secretarial support was provided by Ms Anthea Wilson. Membership of the Council In 2007 the NSW Youth Advisory Council consisted of 12 part-time members appointed by the Minister. It received ex-officio and secretariat support from the Communities Division in the Department of Community Services. Under the Youth Advisory Council Act 1989, at least half the Council’s 12 members must be under the age of 25 years at the time of their appointment. Council members are appointed in their own right, rather than as representatives of organisations or groups. Generally, the Minister seeks a Council that is broadly representative of young people in NSW. In determining Council membership, the Minister seeks a balance from metropolitan, regional and rural areas; young men and women; young Aboriginal people; young people from non-English speaking backgrounds; and people with experience in

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a range of youth and community organisations. Council members in 2007 Mr Michael Yuen (Chair) Parramatta Age: 21 years Michael has just completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching majoring in Literature and Theological Studies at the Australian Catholic University. He is a member of the Parramatta Council’s Youth Advisory Committee and Arts Advisory Committee. Michael was Parramatta Council’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2004 and 2007. Michael was also a member of the Youth Advisory Council in 2006. In 2007 Michael represented the Council on the Centre for Adolescent Health Advisory Board. Ms Suraya Turk (Deputy Chair) Roselands Age: 22 years Suraya is a young Muslim woman studying a combined Social Science and Law degree at the University of Western Sydney. She has been a volunteer at Marrickville Legal and Children’s Centre. In early 2006 she worked part-time with the Community Relations Commission in Cronulla in the follow-up to the December 2005 disturbances and featured in a story on the “Today Tonight” program which took a positive look at young Muslim women in Sydney. Suraya was also member of the Youth Advisory Council in 2006. Ms Jenna Davis Watanobbi Age: 21 years Jenna is an external student studying for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Parks, Recreation and Heritage at Charles Sturt University. Jenna is vision impaired and has represented vision impaired young people on Vision Australia’s Client Representative Council. She also assisted the Department of Environment and Conservation to organise and run their recent state-wide young people’s forum. Samantha Dawson Penrith Age: 20 years Samantha is studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with a double major in politics and sociology at the University of Sydney. She was the Penrith Young Citizen of the Year in 2006 and undertook a Community Harmony Project after attending the NSW Harmony Forum in Youth Week 2006. Samantha was also a member of Penrith MP, Karen Paluzzanno’s 2004-05 Youth Committee. In 2007, Samantha represented the Council on the Youth Week in NSW Young People’s Advisory Committee.

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Martin Drennan Bronte Age: 21 years Martin is in his second year of a Bachelor of Education at the Australian College of Physical Education and works for the Department of Sport and Recreation as a casual camp instructor. Martin is very involved in surf lifesaving through the Tamarama and North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Clubs. Martin also coordinates a number of youth development programs. Rebecca Fowles Weston Age: 23 years Rebecca has completed a Bachelor of Social Science and is a mother of two girls. She is the Coordinator of Cessnock Youthlinx, a service for young people and their families in the Cessnock Council area and was previously a youth worker with Singleton Shire Council. Rebecca is co-Chair of the Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) and represents NSW on the National Planning Group for National Youth Week. Rebecca was Cessnock Young Citizen of the year in 2007. Rebecca was also a member of the Youth Advisory Council in 2006. Stacey Kelly-Greenup West Kempsey Age: 23 years Stacey is a young Aboriginal mother of two and currently temping with ETC Job Network Agency. Previously Stacey has worked as a youth worker for the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service and worked for the Regional Extended Family Services Program in Kempsey. Stacey was the Kempsey Council’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2003 and also named Aboriginal Youth of the Year for NAIDOC Week in 2007. Ms Casey Lovelock Berkeley Vale Age: 22 years Casey has worked for a not-for-profit Group Training organisation for the past six years helping young people gain apprenticeships and traineeships. She is the Vocational Director of the Rotary Club of Terrigal and a past President of her local Toastmasters Club. In 2003, Casey was a state finalist in the Trainee of the Year competition. Casey was also a member of the Youth Advisory Council in 2006. Tim Quadrio Eastwood Age: 22 years Tim is a third year Law and Arts student at Macquarie University. Tim is working as the Outbound Programs Assistant at Macquarie University and recently lead a team of 19 students on a voluntary aid expedition to tsunami affected Southern Thailand. He has been a member of the Executive Team of the Oaktree Foundation, President of the Hornsby District Student Representative Council, Member of the Australian National Youth Roundtable and the founding member and then President of the Ryde Youth Council. In 2007, Tim represented the Council on the RTA Road Safety Taskforce.

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Amanda Scott Windang Age: 21 years Amanda is a second year Commerce student at the University of Wollongong and works as the Development Officer for Illawarra Surf Life Saving. She was the Chair of Illawarra’s Surf Life Saving Youth Advisory Committee and coordinates and runs surf education seminars in the Illawarra. Amanda was the Wollongong Council’s Young Citizen of the Year and Youth Lifesaver of the Year in 2005. In 2007, Amanda represented the Council on the Centre for Adolescent Health Advisory Board and on the Youth Week in NSW Young People’s Advisory Committee. Ms Melissa Smith Forbes Age: 18 years Melissa has just completed her HSC at Forbes High School where she was School Captain. She has been involved in her local Community Drug Action Team (a project established through the Drug Summit) and the ‘Arrive alive’ Road Safety Team sponsored by the Motor Accidents Authority. Melissa represented her school and district at the recent State Student Representative Council conference and Schools Constitutional Convention. Melissa was Forbes Young Citizen of the Year in 2007. Mohammed Zaoud Auburn Age: 20 years Mohammed is a third year Commerce student at the University of NSW. He works as a volunteer for the Together for Humanity Foundation where he speaks at schools alongside a Jewish Rabbi and a Christian promoting inter-religious understanding. Mohammed also voluntarily gives his time to talking with young people at schools in his local area to promote anti-racism. Mohammed was the School Captain of Homebush Boys High School in 2005 and the Vice President of the Student Representative Council. Mohammed has also been a member of the Auburn Youth Advisory Committee and was the Auburn Young Citizen of the Year in 2005. Ex-officio member Mr Tony Wiseheart, Manager, Youth Strategy and Participation, Communities Division, Department of Community Services, is the Ex-officio member of the Council. At the last meeting of the 2007 Council (6 December 2007), Mr Edward Greenaway, Acting Manager, Youth Strategy and Participation, Communities Division, Department of Community Services, filled the role of Ex-officio member of the Council in Mr Wiseheart’s absence.

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Work of the Council In developing its Work Plan for 2007, the Council identified 15 issues of importance to young people in NSW. The Council gave priority to; young people and volunteering, young people and debt and young people in rural areas.

The Council reported to the Minister on the following 15 issues:

1. Volunteering: participation & community engagement

2. Media portrayal of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

3. Racism & Community Harmony

4. Early school leavers: educational opportunities, vocational studies & pathways

5. Mental health: depression & suicide

6. Underage drinking

7. Bullying

8. Youth unemployment: unemployed young people with a disability & regional youth unemployment

9. Funding of youth services: issues associated with accessing funding

10. Youth justice & its impact on Indigenous young people

11. Young parents

12. Rights and responsibilities of young people as consumers, including young people and debt

13. Young people in rural areas

14. Young drivers: P-plate restrictions

15. Young people’s participation in Local Government

In 2007 the Council fulfilled its functions as specified under the Act through a range of activities. Council members hosted forums and youth consultations, attended seminars and conferences, and conducted research to become better informed on these issues to provide considered advice. Members represented the NSW Youth Advisory Council on a number of Government and non-government committees, presented at various conferences, seminars and forums. Council also met with a range people who play a key role in addressing the issues identified in the Work Plan.

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1. Volunteering: participation & community engagement In May 2007 the Minister for Youth met with the Council and asked for advice on the best possible way of implementing the Premier’s Community Service Awards program, announced in February 2007. To respond to the Minister’s request, Council sought further information from the Department of Education and Training (DET) regarding their plans for implementing the program. Council met with Mr John Gore, Chief Education Officer, Human Society and its Environment, DET, who briefed the Council with regards to the program.

The Minister also encouraged the Council to consult with young people to gain a clearer understanding of how young people will benefit from the program. In June 2007, Council consulted with a broad cross-section of young people in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Warilla. These consultations involved discussing views and attitudes to volunteering and community service. The Council’s report, Implementation of the Premier’s Community Service Awards Program was provided to the Minister in August 2007. In December 2007, DET established a Reference Group for the Student Volunteering Program and invited a member of the Council to attend. The Council will continue to be represented on this Reference Group during 2008. 2. Media portrayal of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgroundsCouncil were concerned that the media’s negative portrayal of young people from CALD backgrounds continues to fuel stereotypes and support community misconceptions. Council met with Mr Richard Acheson, Director, CRC who provided the Council with a brief overview of the Commission’s work with regards to strategies which promote harmony and celebrate diversity within NSW communities. Members discussed utilising Media Awards to help counter the negative media portrayal of CALD young people. Mr Acheson informed the Council that, while the Commission has a number of awards programs that promote multiculturalism and aim to recognise the contribution people make in their community, they do not have a Media Awards program specifically designed to recognise the positive portrayal of CALD young people.

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3. Racism & Community Harmony Council also met with Mr Richard Acheson, Director, CRC regarding the Commission’s strategies to address racism and promote harmony within NSW communities. Mr Acheson spoke about the work of the Multicultural Youth Network, the ten Regional Advisory Councils who have one young person on each Council under the age of 25 years, the Community Relations Youth Symposium, the Community Harmony Reference Group and the National Multicultural Marketing Awards. 4. Early school leavers: educational opportunities, vocational studies & pathways Council discussed the Premier’s 2007 election commitment – Learn or Earn with particular reference to initiatives that support early school leavers. Council understands that School based apprenticeships are now being offered across the state through Trade Schools (to be introduced over the period 2007-2009) and across Australia through Technical Colleges. 5. Mental health: depression & suicide The Council, through its sub-committee, the NSW Youth Week Young People’s Advisory Committee (YPAC) advises the Government on the planning and management of Youth Week in NSW. In 2007, Youth Week was identified as a suitable vehicle to raise young people’s awareness of mental health issues. In 2007 the NSW Youth Week Secretariat worked with Reach Out! (Inspire Foundation), NSW Health, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, Mental Illness Education Australia and beyondblue to plan and develop projects focusing on young people and mental health issues for Youth Week. Projects included: ‘Stuff to deal with?’ project: Reach Out!, beyondblue and the Youth Week Secretariat worked together to create an Online Forum ‘Stuff to deal with?,’ which included Digital Stories and a Podcast. The Forum enabled young people to raise issues around mental health and learn about mental illness in a safe and secure environment without the need to identify themselves. The Online Forum was live from 14 April (start of Youth Week) to 14 May 2007. 10,107 people visited the Online Forum, 365 listened to the Podcast and the Digital Stories were viewed a total of 1249 times. Discussion on the Online Forum led to the development of a new fact sheet for the Reach Out! website called ‘First counselor visit’.

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‘Time we started talking’ project: NSW Health, Mental Illness Education Australia, The Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW and the Youth Week Secretariat agreed to partner to develop a Youth Mental Health Forum Kit, ‘Time we started talking’. The Kit is designed to assist young people organise and run Mental Health Forums in their local communities. It’s aimed at raising public awareness of mental health issues. Youth Stage at the Sydney Royal Easter Show project: In 2007 beyondblue sponsored the Youth Stage at the Sydney Royal Easter Show to promote positive messages about young people and mental health. 6. Underage drinkingIn August 2007 Council members consulted with 200 young people from Warialda, Bingara, Narrabri, Wee Waa, Moree, Collarenabri, Mungindi, Boggabilla and young people from the SRC Regional Conference in Lake Keepit, on issues of importance to young people living in rural and regional NSW. The young people consulted discussed the high level of underage alcohol usage within their community. Council also looked at a report prepared by the Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) for NSW Health to inform the development of the draft NSW Youth Alcohol Action Plan, ‘Brawls, Batons and Beer Goggles – Young people talk about the negative impacts of alcohol.’ October 2006. In June 2007 the Premier announced the establishment of a Rural and Regional Taskforce to examine and provide advice on key economic, environmental and social issues affecting rural and regional communities outside the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Coast and Sydney. In December 2007, a member of the Council led a group of young people from across rural and regional NSW who briefed the Taskforce on issues of importance to young people in rural and regional areas. The Taskforce were also provided with feedback from the Council’s August 2007 consultations in North Western NSW, which included the issue of underage drinking. 7. Bullying Council understands that the NSW Department of Education and Training has an Anti-bullying Policy which sets out the requirements for dealing with bullying behaviour in NSW Government schools. The Policy includes operational guidelines and a framework for schools to use to develop and implement an Anti-bullying Plan with specific strategies for identifying, reporting and dealing with bullying behaviours. Council believes that the Anti-bullying Plan should be a key part of every school’s planning for student wellbeing and effective learning.

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Council identified a comprehensive NSW Government website called, Bullying Who Needs It! www.det.nsw.edu.au/antibullying and Bullying No Way! www.bullyingnoway.com.au, as well as mental health organisations such as Reach Out! who have developed a number of resources designed to help young people and their parents understand the effects bullying can have on someone.

8. Youth unemployment: unemployed young people with a disability & regional youth unemployment

a) Unemployed young people with a disability Through research, Council understands that there are a number of Government programs and initiatives specifically created to help people living with a disability to find employment and undertake training.

b) Regional youth unemployment During Council’s August 2007 consultations with 200 young people living in North Western NSW, participants expressed the opinion that there are limited job opportunities for young people living in rural and regional areas. Participants explained that although it is relatively easy for young people to get casual work, it is much more difficult to find full-time employment. In August 2007 Council also met with a group of Indigenous young people who participate in Beyond Empathy programs in North Western NSW. The participants of this consultation spoke of there being no jobs for Indigenous young people in the area. Having to move away from home to find work was considered to be normal practice amongst all participants in these rural consultations. 9. Funding of youth services: issues associated with accessing funding Council is aware of the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP) and that it is a funding program which aims to improve the resilience and safety of disadvantaged children, young people, families and communities. Council were informed that a review of the CSGP began in 2007 and that this review is being managed by the Department of Community Services and the CSGP Roundtable. 10. Youth justice & its impact on Indigenous young people Indigenous young people who participated in the Council’s August 2007 consultations in North Western NSW spoke of their own experiences with the justice system including difficulties in re-connecting with the community after being released from detention. The NSW Parliament Standing Committee on Law and Justice is currently conducting a review into the prohibition on the publication of names of

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children involved in criminal proceedings. Council made a submission to the review to offer a youth perspective. Council also made a submission to the NSW Government’s review of all legislation to stop graffiti vandalism . 11. Young parents The 2007 Council accepted the recommendations of the 2006 Council that it host a Young Parents Forum in South West Sydney as part of the Council’s 2007 consultation program. Unfortunately time did not permit the Council to conduct this consultation. 12. Rights and responsibilities of young people as consumers, including young people and debtThe 2007 Council accepted the recommendations of the 2006 Council that it monitor the research undertaken by the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS). Council reviewed a draft NYARS report regarding young people and debt. The final report is due to be released in 2008. The Minister asked the Council for advice on the issue of young people and debt including the rights and responsibilities of young people as consumers. Members explored issues pertaining to the financial literacy of young people with regards to mobile phones, credit cards, renting and buying. Council also reviewed research reports, information gathered from various websites and any relevant feedback received during their consultations with young people. The Council’s report, Young People and Debt was provided to the Minister in November 2007.

Fair Trading Week was launched on 19 November 2007 and members of the Council facilitated youth forums on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading. Each year the Office of Fair Trading run a week-long celebration to help raise awareness of fair trading issues in the community. This year, the focus was on shopping - ‘Did you get what you paid for?’ 12. Young people in rural areas Council sought to become better informed on the major issues concerning young people living in rural NSW. Feedback received during Council’s August 2007 consultations with 200 young people living in North Western NSW suggested the issues were:

• Lack of activities • Limited access to services – youth centres • Education – high drop out rates • Racism and segregation • Drugs and alcohol • Feeling safe -high levels of crime

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• Mental health – lack of awareness and services • Transport – limited public transport • The introduction (1 July 2007) of peer passenger restrictions and

120 hours supervised driving. Council also spoke with these young people on the issue of out-migration. The key theme that developed from this discussion was that young people move away from the area to either attend university, or find full-time employment. On 12 December 2007 Council was represented at a NSW Rural and Regional Taskforce consultation with young people. Council provided the Taskforce with feedback from their consultations in North Western NSW. 14. Young drivers: P-plate restrictionsCouncil sought to become better informed about young driver issues, with particular regards to the introduction of the new conditions for P-plate drivers released 1 July 2007. Council’s August 2007 consultations with 200 young people living in North Western NSW provided a good opportunity to speak about the recent changes to the licensing rules and receive a rural perspective. Council found that the new rules for L&P plate drivers introduced on 1 July 2007 are significantly affecting young people living in rural NSW. Council met with the Hon. Geoff Corrigan MP, Chairman of the Staysafe Committee. The Staysafe (Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety) is a Parliamentary joint standing committee, established 21 June 2007 to investigate and report on road safety matters in NSW.

Council provided the Staysafe Committee with feedback received from their August consultations in North Western NSW. In September 2007, Council were represented at the Victorian RoadSafe Conference 2007: Young Driver Safety. Whilst the Victorian RoadSafe conference is held every year, this was the first year to focus specifically on young drivers. Council noted the differences between the Victorian and NSW licensing systems. Victoria recently reviewed their licensing system and introduced a Graduated Licensing System, very similar to NSW’s present system. While Victoria chose to introduce a 120 learning hours requirement, they chose not to introduce a multiple passenger restriction.

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15. Young people’s participation in Local GovernmentCouncil agreed to continue the work of the 2006 Council in investigating strategies to support and assist Local Councils to involve young people in local planning and service delivery. Council considered a report on the ‘Youth Focus of Local Council Social Plans’. The report was based on information contained in Local Government Social Plans from each Local Council in NSW. It identifies the need for a whole of Government approach to working with Local Councils on youth participation strategies. Council agreed to ask Communities Division to explore options for addressing the issue on the Council’s behalf. Officers from Communities Division met with officers from the NSW Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), the Department of Local Government (DLG), the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) and the Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) and discussed strategies to bring the report to the attention of Local Councils. Subcommittees Youth Week in NSW Young People’s Advisory Committee The NSW Youth Week Young People’s Advisory Committee, is a subcommittee of the NSW Youth Advisory Council which advises the Government on the co-ordination of Youth Week in NSW. Youth Week in NSW has developed from a small NSW Government initiative in 1989 involving hundreds of young people in a few local events and activities in metropolitan Sydney, into over 1000 local events and activities across the state. In Youth Week 2007, approximately 3,500 young people were involved in the planning and management of more than 1,000 local level activities and events. 190,000 young people participated in these events. Youth Week in NSW provides young people throughout the state, no matter where they live, with an opportunity to participate in their communities through events, programs, forums and debates. It is organised by young people, for young people in local communities across the state. Meetings with Government Ministers In 2007 the Council met with The Hon. Linda Burney, MP, Minister for Youth, Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for Volunteering.

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Council meetings In 2007 the Council met on 10 & 11 May, 27 May, 28 June, 28 July, 24 August, 22 September and 6 December. Council met with: Sonja Stewart Executive Director, Communities Division, Department

of Community Services

Leigh McLaughlin Chief of Staff, Office of the Hon. Linda Burney, MP

Rey Reodica Executive Officer, Youth Action and Policy Association

John Gore Chief Education Officer, Human Society and its Environment, Department of Education and Training

Zhi Soon Member of Board of Studies

Vanessa Merewether NSW Youth Week Co-ordinator, Communities Division, Department of Community Services

Peter Harvey

School Education Director, New England West, Department of Education and Training

Claudine Lyons Policy Advisor, Office of the Hon. Linda Burney, MP

Richard Acheson Director, Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW

Geoff Corrigan Chairman, Stay Safe Committee

Committees Council was represented on the following committees in 2007:

• National Youth Week National Planning Group • NSW Youth Week Young People’s Advisory Committee (YPAC) • Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health Advisory Board

(CAAH) • NSW State Student Representative Council (SRC) • RTA Road Safety Taskforce • YAPA Youth Participation Project Steering Committee • Indent Advisory Committee

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Conferences, seminars and forums Council members presented at the following conferences, seminars and forums:

• National Youth Affairs Conference • A Korean Delegation (Education Office, the National Police Agency and

the National Youth Commission of the Republic of Korea) • Children and Young People are Key Stakeholders Conference • Money Stuff, Youth Forums for Fair Trading Week

Council members attended the following conferences, seminars, forums and meetings:

• National Youth Affairs Conference • Korean Delegation • Roundtable on Volunteering • Working with Boys, Building Fine Men Conference • Children and Young People are Key Stakeholders Conference • Victorian RoadSafe Conference, Young Driver Safety • NSW Rural and Regional Taskforce • Student Volunteering program Reference Group

Training Council members undertook the following training:

• Media • Cultural Awareness

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NSW Youth Advisory Council Communities Division Department of Community Services 4 - 6 Cavill Ave Ashfield NSW 2131 Telephone: (02) 9716 2833 Email: yac@community.nsw.gov.au Website: www.youth.nsw.gov.au

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