We value the unique social contributions that young people make and encourage their involvement in decisions that impact their lives.
In 2016, 16.9% of people in the Georges River area were between 12 and 24 years old.
Our approach
Council's services are based on the principles of youth participation. These principles include empowerment, purposeful engagement and inclusiveness. We understand the potential of young people as members of our next generation of leaders and influencers; therefore Council is determined to harness this potential to impact decision making processes and actively seek new opportunities to further engage. From this, we are able to ensure the needs of local young people are addressed through appropriate services.
Youth Advisory Committee
We understand the difficulty that young people face in getting their voices heard. That is why we have made an ongoing commitment to working alongside and supporting the Georges River Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Georges River Council is proactive in ensuring that there are opportunities for young people to demonstrate self-agency and have their voices heard on issues that directly impact their lives. The YAC has been formed to work closely with Council to improve young people’s access to services and to address their needs and aspirations.
The YAC plans and delivers community development programs and events for young people in the locl government area. The group has been involved in the delivery of various annual events including Short Stuff Film Festival, Georges River Youth Literary Awards, live music events, movie nights and sporting activities.
The YAC is directly involved in the yearly programming for National Youth Week celebrations in Georges River and provides leadership in the development of events, from what will be run and when, through to the selection of venues and talent for events.
The YAC provides feedback and advice on programs held in Georges River Libraries and Hurstville Museum & Gallery to ensure that programs run for young people are in line with current goals and wishes.
Further information on the Youth Advisory Committee is contained in the YAC Terms of Reference and if you’re interested in being a part of YAC, fill in the Application Form and send to info@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
Community Development Programs
Further to the work of the YAC, Council offers a variety of initiatives that showcase and cultivate the positive social contributions that young people make within our community. These include initiatives that build capacity for innovative leadership, creativity, inclusion and diversity.
Council partners with local community organisations to support the learning and development of young people in the area. One such program is the annual Schools Refugee Forum, which provides young people with an opportunity to develop leadership, facilitation and public speaking skills by bringing together schools from across South Eastern Sydney to learn more about the experiences of refugees and what actions young people can take to create welcoming schools and communities.
Another annual event is the St George High Schools Forum, hosted with headspace Hurstville, which provides local youth services and high school teachers an opportunity to network, collaborate and find the best supports for the young people they are working with.
Council works closely with many youth services in the Georges River area to engage young people and provide them with safe, fun and low-cost activities in line with local needs and issues. Council convenes the St George Youth Network (SGYN) on the first Wednesday of the month, bi-monthly. In 2019 the meetings will start in February.
Contact
For further information on the Youth Advisory Committee or programs and services for young people, please contact Council’s Community Development Officer - Youth on 9330 6400 or info@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
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