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Calling on youth community to lead on Sale Youth Space

Wellington Shire Council is all set to provide Sale’s youth community with their own dedicated centre for social and recreational events as well as support services, and is now looking to the young people themselves to drive it forward.

By Wellington Shire Council - 1st March 2004 - Back to News

Set to be officially opened in April during National Youth Week, the much-needed Sale Youth Space, located at the memorial hall in Macalister Street, is a partnership initiative between the council, Kilmany United Care, Central Gippsland Health Service and the local youth community itself.

The council will be responsible for the overall management and funding of the facility. However, very importantly, young people will be actively involved in the planning and operation of the Space 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 have rallied to assist with the renovation and redecoration of the facility, with a ‘working bee’ being held this coming Friday 5 March. Organisers are keen to hear now from local young volunteers, aged 12 to 24 years of age, to help with this work and to steer the future development of the project. Those interested should contact Michelle Dabkowski, Youth Counsellor with the Central Gippsland Health Service, on 5143 8833 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 a 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 new 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 confidential support services there, 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 similar projects elsewhere in the shire.

Said Wellington’s Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Webb: "The youth community of Sale 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.

"We would now urge the young people of Sale to rally to the cause and drive this initiative ahead at full speed."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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