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Youth Get HeardA group of students from Wonthaggi Secondary College had the chance to tell a panel of government and community representatives what they want from Bass Coast this week. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 10th November 2006 - Back to News The opportunity came about as a result of a Youth Consultation Project being trialled as part of Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2006 Community Building Project.
Council’s Community Building Facilitator, Tony Cornish said a previous consultation session with the students had garnered some great suggestions on how the Secondary College’s Dudley Campus could be better used as a community facility and the students’ views on living in Bass Coast.
"The students presented these suggestions to the panel this week and took the opportunity to say what they really thought.
"The panel then provided comment and a ‘reality check’ on the issues and solutions identified by the young people, and helped to identify ways to put them into action."
Mr Cornish said there were many points raised and discussed, but if he had to pick, there were two main issues.
"These were local transport and communication with and inclusion of young people in the wider community."
Mr Cornish was thoroughly enthused by the the students’ presentation, which he said was fantastic.
"This project really empowered young people to have a voice.
"It met and exceeded all objectives and expectations and the real bonus was the energy and positive participation enjoyed by the participants, facilitators and spectators," he stated.
Principal of Wonthaggi Secondary College’s Dudley Campus, Barb Britten, who has taken a lead role in the development of the project, said the process had been a valuable one.
"The Wonthaggi Secondary College Learning Support Team has developed an interactive way to collect the suggestions of the participating young people.
"This process will hopefully offer a more interesting and youth ‘user friendly’ process for gathering and sharing ideas," she said.
Follow up initiatives from the project will include:
- A wider survey on transport issues under the Transport Connections Project;
- The inclusion of young people in consultative and planning groups on issues that affect them both in the wider community and within the local school community; and
- Looking closely at how government, school and community groups communicate with young people, as whilst obvious gaps were identified, the young people were not aware of some services and opportunities already available.
Mr Cornish also indicated that if the Youth Consultation proves successful it is planned to provide opportunities for similar activities in other communities throughout Bass Coast.
"The Youth Consultation is one of a number of exciting projects being trialled by communities in Bass Coast, as part of Council’s 2006 Community Building Project.
"Other activities that have taken place this year include workshops to help community groups learn to prepare funding submissions and an Inverloch Community Groups Expo (ICE) to be held on Sunday, 12 November.
"The overall Project has focused on strengthening existing community partnerships, particularly with all levels of government," said Mr Cornish.
"The three major trial projects being conducted should have long term benefits for community organisations."
For more information on Council’s Community Building Project please contact Community Building Facilitator, Tony Cornish, on 5671 2211 or 5951 3311.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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