Friday 13, April 2018    

Young people from Gippsland will be celebrated and recognised during the inaugural Victorian Youth Week in April, with more than 100 activities running across the state.

Manna Gum Community House received an Andrews Labor Government grant to run Paint the Park – Foster Skate Park Youth Art Project for local young people during the 2018 Victorian Youth Week, which will run from 13 to 22 April.

Also successful in receiving a grants were:

• East Gippsland Shire Council – Youth Colour Fest
• Cann River community Centre – Youth Behind the Wheel
• 3mFM Radio – Po-e-try!!
• South Gippsland Bass Coast LLEN – Pop Up Careers Café
• Wonthaggi Secondary College – Community VCAL Youth Celebration Day
• Baw Baw Shire Council – Where to find Help
• Federation Training – Gippsland Youth in Action
• SalvoCare Eastern – Victorian Youth Week Pizza Night

This will be the first time Victorian Youth Week is run –  filling the gap after the Turnbull Government scrapped funding for National Youth Week and forcing other states and territories to go it alone.

The successful Victorian Youth Week recipients will organise activities that engage young people and provide them with opportunities to express their ideas and be heard in their community, such as art exhibitions, musical performances, cultural celebrations and forums.

The week’s flagship event – the Youth Summit – will be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre on Friday, 20 April. Registrations close on 16 April, 2018.

The Andrews Labor Government is providing more than $200,000 to local community organisations, schools and councils to run activities for young people in metropolitan and regional areas during Victorian Youth Week 2018.

It includes over 50 activities in metropolitan Melbourne and nearly 60 grants in regional Victoria.

Activities are aimed at those aged 12 to 25 and will be held in safe environments that are alcohol, drug and smoke free.

The Labor Government’s Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria sets out a plan to increase engagement with young people and embeds the voice of young people in building an even better Victoria.

For more information about 2018 Victorian Youth Week, visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au/vyw.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos

“It’s disappointing the Turnbull Government only sees young people in a negative way and has cut funding to support them.”

“Young Victorians are overwhelmingly doing great and contributing positively to our society – we should be celebrating and supporting them.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“Victorian Youth Week is for all young people across the state, and will provide Gippsland’s young people a range of ways to participate in activities and events that build on their potential and creativity, create new opportunities and help to develop confidence and those all-important networks.”

“I encourage young Gippslanders from right across the region to check out the local events on offer and get involved – there’s something for everyone.”

“We are so proud of initiative and momentum that our young community members demonstrate every day, and their efforts and voices are well worth celebrating as part of Victorian Youth Week.”