Darwin City Council has provided a means for its youth to be heard through a youth newspaper called GRIND. The success of GRIND can be largely attributed to its focus on youth issues, and that it is written by and for youth.
Council agreed to fund a youth newspaper in early 2000 with Council’s Youth Services developing GRIND.
“Youth Services has developed GRIND so that it can involve as many different young people as possible,” said Council’s Youth Services Project Officer, Katie Hearn.“Hopefully this will reflect how diverse the youth population is in Darwin.”
Council had initially advertised a series of skills writing workshops and it was from there that interested participants joined in forming GRIND. The team comprising 35 young people aged between 12 and 20 years old, meet every third week to plan each edition and work on articles and stories for the newspaper. Production meetings are held every week.
“From time to time we will arrange specialist skills workshops for the GRIND team depending on what is needed for the group,” Katie Hearn said.
Some of the guests that have attended the GRIND workshops include Emma King, journalist with the NT Writers Centre; Linda Jaivon, journalist with the Weekend Australian; former 60 Minutes journalist, George Negus; and Jeff Raglus, former MABO artist.
“Being part of GRIND is our opportunity to challenge the negative images of young people often portrayed in mainstream media,” said GRIND Senior Editor, James Stuchbery. “GRIND gives young people a strong voice and shows that Darwin youth are not afraid to be heard.”
For further information, contact Katie Hearn on (08) 8982 2635.
