Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee
Consultation has concluded
The Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee comprises 12 to 24 year olds keen to make a difference in their area.
The committee helps to generate events and other initiatives for young people in the Armidale region. Its members are involved in a number of fun projects, including organising school holiday activities and planning for the Annual Armidale Region Youth Awards.
More information is available by contacting Alice Cleaver at acleaver@armidale.nsw.gov.au or 0412 173159.
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Fortnight remains for youth award nominations
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The time has come to recognise young people doing fantastic things in our district – or other community members improving quality of life for our youth.
Just two weeks remain for nominations for this year’s Armidale Regional Youth Awards, providing a chance to celebrate the many great initiatives by young people and for young people.
Awards will be presented in many categories for sport and recreation, arts, business, academic achievement and community initiatives. They will also honour contributions by youth workers and acknowledge examples of terrific perseverance.
Many of the categories will have separate divisions for youth aged 12 to 17 years and candidates aged 18 to 24.
“We have a wealth of talented and dedicated youth people, excelling in many different activities,” Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said.
“Many of these achievements are largely anonymous and we should take every opportunity to honour all of them – to provide due recognition and inspire others.”
Do you have a class mate, friend, family member or work colleague who has done something that should be recognised? Just being nominated shows that person their efforts are appreciated and it lets other people know about their contribution or achievement.
Click here to submit a nomination
Printed copies of the nomination form are available at Council’s offices in Armidale and Guyra or by emailing acleaver@armidale.nsw.gov.au.
Nominations close Friday 14 September and nominees and awards winners will be honoured at a presentation ceremony on 22 September.
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Youth empowered at Armidale forum
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Many of the region’s young people were empowered with greater knowledge and confidence in their own identity, during the 2018 Armidale Regional Youth Forum.
Be proud of who you are and speak out if you have a problem were two key messages to the approximately 70 students and young people who attended this year’s event, held at the Armidale City Bowling Club on 8 August.Participants travelled from Walcha, Lake Macquarie, Tingha and Guyra to be part of the biennial forum, which enabled young people to speak to their peers, as well as several community leaders.The event was a special opportunity for young people to provide input on issues that are important in their lives, according to Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee (AYRAC) member Sophie Mackson.AYRAC organised the event, with support from Council, and selected the forum’s four themes: sexuality, mental health, bullying and drugs & alcohol.Several participants said they were particularly inspired by the personal stories of presenters who had to deal with adversity in their lives.NSW Police LGBTI Liaison Officer & Peer Support Officer Jarryd De Castro told the forum knowledge is understanding and overcame issues of personal identity. Senior Constable De Castro, a guest speaker at the event, said it was important people were socially aware of how people might identify themselves.He said it was also essential that young people were “true to themselves”.Another guest speaker, Greens MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi, said the young participants raised some “incredibly insightful and important questions on how they can make a difference”.Dr Faruqi said it was unacceptable for young people to be forced to sit on the sidelines while other people had conversations “about your economic future, or sustainability or the health of our planet”.“When we make policies with the active involvement of young people we ensure that they will have a fair go at having a decent future – a future that they want, not one only we think will be good for them,” she said.“By doing this we create equality of opportunity and that leads to good outcomes for all – and a giant leap forward in our society. Social attitudes are changing and becoming more inclusive and that’s due to efforts of young people like yourselves. You must reject pessimism and cynicism, and know that progress is possible.”Council’s Youth & Family Coordinator, Alice Cleaver, said the event showed mental health was a pressing issue for many young people and participants at the forum left with a better understanding of the assistance available.“This was a real positive because in 2013-2014, Beyond Blue reported that one in seven Australians aged four to 17 years experienced a mental health condition,” she said.“Participants at the forum were encouraged to take these conversations back to their peers and pass on the information they learnt.”
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Armidale Regional Youth Forum
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The Armidale Regional Youth Forum was held at Armidale City Bowling Club on Wednesday 8 August to give young people aged 14 to 24 years the opportunity to speak up and discuss the topics that concern them most.
Students from Armidale and Guyra were joined by representatives from Tingha, Walcha and Lake Macquarie and young people engaged with local youth services.
The Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee (ARYAC) coordinated the event, with assistance from Council, and has selected four topics:
- sexuality and sexual health
- mental health
- drugs and alcohol
- cyberbullying/bullying
Member of Parliament Mehreen Faruqi and police officer Senior Constable Jarryd De Castro, LGBTI Liaison Officer and Peer Support Officer, were guest speakers at the forum and part of a discussion panel.
Several other professionals were on hand for forum discussions, which included Conversation Cafes for small groups to consider the key issues and find solutions.
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Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi a guest speaker
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Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi has been confirmed as one of the key speakers at the 2018 Armidale Regional Youth Forum.
"It's a tremendous privilege to be part of the Armidale Regional Youth Forum and be able to discuss the future young people want," she said.
"At the moment young people, especially in regional areas, face challenges like never before - the cost of housing and education, a lack of work opportunities and a political system that isn’t listening to them.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity for a frank and open discussion and hearing young people’s views on what we need to do."
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NSW Police LGBTI Liaison Officer to speak at forum
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An LGBTI Liaison Officer and Peer Support Officer with the NSW Police Force, Senior Constable Jarryd De Castro, is one of the guest speakers at this year’s Armidale Regional Youth Forum.
“I am pleased to present at the Armidale Regional Youth Forum as it gives me the chance to personally engage with the youth and the community on a professional and personal level,” Senior Constable De Castro said.“The topic of sexuality, gender diversity is a big part of my life and my identity. Given the world and its views are forever changing, it is a great opportunity to present to the youth and ensure they stay up to date and are aware of the growing support the community has for those within and out this bracket.“Above all, this forum is a great day for the youth to understand current issues and be aware of how they can address what they see as well as assist others in need. New found knowledge is a great tool and as I will be pointing out 'knowledge is understanding'.”
