Strengthening of communications networks was one of a number of positive outcomes at a recent forum held at Benalla, in Victoria’s north east to discuss the role of Local Government in youth affairs. Some forty delegates representing 11 shires in the region gathered at the Goulburn Ovens TAFE to identify the key issues in providing the youth services needed in rural areas and some of the difficulties faced in delivering these services.
Justin Madden, Minister for Youth Affairs opened the forum which was convened by the School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) coordinators from Shepparton, Wangaratta, Seymour and Wodonga. The Minister presented the State Government’s policy in relation to the role and responsibility of Local Government in youth affairs.
He also provided an update on the Primary Health and Community Services and the Youth and Family Services redevelopment. Steve Woodland, Manager Family Services at the City of Whittlesea and Rob Nabben from RMIT delivered the keynote addresses.
Steve Woodland spoke on the collaborative approach to the development of an early intervention strategy to enhance opportunities for youth.
Rob Nabben spoke of the one day conference at RMIT on Standards in Youth Work, highlighting research and promotion of best practice in Local Government youth services.
Workshops covered the following areas.
- The development process
- Development and maintenance of young people’s networks
- Innovative model of delivery of youth services
- Youth commitment
- Planning for youth
Key issues identified during the forum included the higher costs of providing effective services to young people living in rural areas, such as higher prices for transport, petrol and phone calls. The forum also addressed the need to provide incentives to encourage workers to relocate to rural areas. A positive outcome was the nomination of ‘youth contacts’ from each Local Government organisation and agreement that a policy writing day would be held in six months time.
For further information, contact forum convenor Melissa Walker, telephone (03) 5722 2355.
