Established in 2001, the King Island Youth Action Group (KIYAG) provides a forum for 12 to 25 year olds to represent the views of King Island’s young people. Located in Bass Strait off the north western tip of Tasmania, King Island is about half way between Tasmania and Victoria. With a population of approximately 1,800 people, some 16 per cent are aged between 12 and 25 years.
KIYAG currently comprises ten young people. Youth Development Officer, Karen Coombs, said one of the key challenges at the moment is finding meaningful ways to recruit and engage young people between 17 and 25 years.
KIYAG recently lodged a successful submission with Tasmania Regional Arts for funding of a Youth Arts project. The project targets young people specifically aged between 17 and 25 years and involves them telling their stories about what it is like to live on King Island.
“We are looking for ten people to be involved in this project,” Karen Coombs said. “We are hopeful that participants will then maintain a link with the action group.”
Karen is employed by Council to provide support and advice in youth health, career pathway planning and youth participation. She works at the local high school three days per week, and works from Council for the other two days.
KIYAG was established as a contact point for young people needing information on any issue affecting them.
“Although KIYAG is more informal than a Youth Council, it provides a core group to be consulted when a Council issue arises concerning young people,” she said. “The same applies when young people have an issue they want to bring up with Council. They are able to contact me and I can assist in raising the issue at a Council meeting.”
Karen works with businesses, government organisations, community groups and individuals to involve them in ways to improve the needs of young people. She assists the group to plan National Youth Week activities and general recreation and leisure activities, such as discos and movie events.
“The group also organises fundraising for equipment and facilities, such as the local skate park,” she said. “Our meetings are very flexible, and arranged in response to activities or projects. There is no set or regular meeting day.”
