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Bass Coast students advocate for youth

Newhaven College students and Wonthaggi Secondary College students on the most important issues facing young people in Bass Coast.

By Portal Admin - 8th July 2018 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has been working alongside the peak body for youth advocacy, Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic), to advocate on what matters to young people.

YACVic’s role is to ensure the voice and the issues of young people across Victoria are heard at the highest levels of government.

Last week YACVic held Youth Matters workshops with students from across Bass Coast to hear and understand the key issues and needs for young people growing up in rural Victoria.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, explained that it’s important for Bass Coast to be represented through Rural YACVic, who advocate for young people growing up in rural and regional Victorian.

"Having a position on the Rural YACVic committee is paramount to ensuring the needs and voices of our youth are at the forefront of state government policy and planning," Cr Rothfield said.

"The committee ensures the issues of young people in rural Victoria are heard by our politicians, and this is particularly important this year, as we head towards a state election in November."

During the YACVic Youth Matters workshops, Newhaven College students and Wonthaggi Secondary College students were asked about the most important issues facing young people in Bass Coast.

Students from both schools identified access to youth services, particularly mental health and sexual health services, as a top issue for young people in Bass Coast.

Students also spoke about the need to improve access to quality tertiary education, stating that financial and transport issues are a major issue affecting access to university and TAFE.

"Bass Coast Shire Council agrees that access to tertiary education is a key issue and has identified it as a key advocacy priority," explained Cr Rothfield.


Newhaven College students participated in the workshop with Youth Affairs Council Victoria Rural Manager, Andrew Bell.


Wonthaggi Secondary College Legal Studies students discuss what matters to young people in Bass Coast

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com