More than 1,500 young people participated in Council-run youth programs during 2021, with participation expected to grow during 2022 with the return of in-person events and programs.
Providing opportunities for local young people is the focus of the Central Goldfields Shire Youth team – who deliver the Engage, FReeZA and L2P programs – all of which are funded by the Victorian Government.
Engage!
The Engage! Program is targeted at young people aged 12 to 25 to build skills, leadership and connection to the community.
The 2021 program included:
- Teenage! Holiday program - 21 activities, 315 participants
- Engage! Youth Health and Wellbeing - 2 activities, 650+ participants
- Local Mobs Engage! - 1 activity, 12 participants
- Engage! LGBTIQA+ - 4 activities, 46 participants
- Qualifications for Employment – 5 activities, 30 participants
Highlights included:
- 'Chill out Space with the Anglicare KiT van
- Snapshot 2.0 photography competition
- LGBTIQA+ youth social support gatherings
- Life and creative skills workshops
- Accredited short courses (30 participants and fully subsidised)
Next on the agenda for the Youth team is to work on the creation of a Youth Action Group/Youth Council, LGBTIQA+ youth support group and an event to acknowledge young people and their contribution to the community
Local young person Felix Skilling shared his experiences as a participant of the Engage! Program.
"I took the opportunity, with the help of Council, to do my food safety and handling certificate and it helped me gain employment.
"I couldn't be more grateful about the opportunity to participate in the accredited short courses that were provided to young people through the Engage! Program.
"I also participated in an opportunity to go on a trip to Melbourne where I was able to learn more about the city and the universities there and once again it helped me so much.
"I now feel a lot more comfortable knowing that I have that little bit of knowledge when it comes to Melbourne that I didn't before."
FReeZA
Targeted at young people aged between 10 and 25, the FReeZA program aims to build skills and involvement in music, arts, cultural and recreational activities.
Highlights include:
- Friday Sounds Like online performances - over 10,000 view online
- Halloween Party
- Movie launch
- Pool vouchers
- Pool parties
The Youth team are now working on the creation of a pop-up Youth Hub, bus tours, Skate Park visit and creating opportunities for online and in-person concerts and theatre activities.
TAC L2P program
The TAC L2P program provides driving assistance to young people across the Shire. The program supports learner drivers aged 16 to 21 who have no access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the 120 hours driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.
During 2021, 12 learner drivers achieved their P plates, approximately 470 driving hours were logged, and 6 volunteer driver mentors helped deliver the program.
Central Goldfields Shire Maryborough Ward Councillor Wayne Sproull said the fantastic work of the Youth team was having a real impact on local young people.
"I am often asked what we are doing to support local young people and what interesting and engaging activities are available to them.
"The enthusiasm and excitement of our two youth officers, along with fantastic participation numbers from events held during 2021, speaks wonders for the programs that are being offered here in the Central Goldfields.
"I'd expect that participation and engagement will only grow this year as events and activities return to being in person.
"If you know of a young person, or you are a parent or carer of a young person, I encourage you to follow the Central Goldfields Youth Facebook page to keep up to date with what's happening and upcoming events."
