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NBL basketball star to officially open Wellington Youth SpaceOn Friday 2 April Victorian Giants NBL star Rhys Carter will officially open the eagerly-awaited Wellington Youth Space, a project providing young people with their own dedicated centre for social and recreational activities and also support services By Wellington Shire Counci - 29th March 2004 - Back to News
This is a partnership initiative involving local youth, Wellington Shire Council, Kilmany United Care, Central Gippsland Health Service.
The official opening of the facility, located in the east wing of Sale Memorial Hall in MacAlister Street, coincides with National Youth Week.
The partnership will be responsible for the overall management and funding of the Youth Space. However, very importantly, young people will be actively involved in the planning and operation of the facility and will be provided with appropriate training to help develop their leadership skills and maximise their participation in the project.
Local businesses, service clubs and other volunteers rallied to assist with the facility’s renovation and redecoration.
Organisers are keen to hear now from local young volunteers, aged 12 to 24 years, to help steer the future development of the project. Those interested should contact Michelle Dabkowski, Youth Counsellor with the Central Gippsland Health Service, on 5143 8833 or David Roberts, Wellington Shire Council’s Youth Development Officer on 5142 3340 for more information.
The recent growth in youth-driven programs in the area, together with the results of research conducted by young people themselves, highlights the need for such an activity base. This will be used for example by: The LIVE Youth Theatre Group; The Streets of Harmony Freeza Committee – to organise underage drug and alcohol-free events aimed at young people across the shire; producers of the monthly Newsletterlicious newsletter; and Creating Conversations – a drug and alcohol awareness program with an emphasis on peer education.
In addition a number of organisations and agencies have also expressed interest in providing information and youth support services from the Youth Space, including; School Focussed Youth Services and the Victoria Police; Central Gippsland Health Service – with health information and access to health professionals like counsellors and community health nurses; Centrelink; Maffra Secondary College – with self-esteem and health programs.
Based on the success of this initiative the council will be looking to develop and support similar projects elsewhere in the shire.
Said Wellington’s Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Webb: "We are delighted to be able to celebrate the opening of this much needed facility. The youth community are the driving force behind this very significant project, which is all about giving them the challenge and authority to help our young people grow. The Youth Space is for them and needs to be driven forward by them.
"It’s meeting a very real need, and based on the growth and success of other youth projects in the town we are confident of its long term success."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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