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Hi Youthgas Team,
Do you know of anyone who can assist the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation to develop indigenous youth programs/projects, write or apply for any Grants/Funds, provide any advice, support, documentation, assistance or services for the Indigenous youth within the Girringun region?
The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation has “drafted” the attached concept/project plans that can be readjusted for any available Grants/Funds.
Currently the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation board and staff do not have the skills or abilities to ensure the below Youth Projects are implemented so any advice and assistance that you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Background
Within the Girringun region and amongst traditional owner groups, it is recognised that Indigenous young people drop out of school early; have little structured activity available outside of school hours, have low prospects for employment and are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviours such as substance misuse, anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.
These observations can be readily backed up by statistics. The data shown relates to the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) which are wholly or partly covered by traditional country of Girringun’s nine traditional owner groups (Cardwell, Dalrymple, Eacham, Herberton, Hinchinbrook, Johnstone, and Thuringowa) and total Queensland population by Indigenous status.
- Year 12 completion: In the Girringun region, only 18.1% of Indigenous people over 15 years complete Year 12 or equivalent compared with 22.7% of Indigenous people across Queensland. Completion rates for non-Indigenous people are 30.8% and 37% respectively.
- Youth Labour Force status: Employment rates for young people in the Girringun region are very low, particularly if CDEP participants are excluded. Close to 33% of Indigenous people aged 15 – 24 years are unemployed compared with a rate of 13% for non-Indigenous young people in this region and about 15% for all young Queenslanders including those who are Indigenous.
- Youth Justice Orders: In those seven LGAs, a total of 50 young Indigenous people were on Youth Justice Orders as at 30 June 2004. There are also 42 from those LGAs who are identified as “Öther”, even though that category may include other Indigenous young people whose Indigenous status is unknown. Indigenous youth are over-represented in this data.
During consultations with the nine traditional owner groups and other Indigenous people across the Girringun region, Elders and community members were concerned about the numbers of young people who find themselves in trouble, often reluctant to go home because of the family situation, likely to drop out of school and become long term unemployed.
In 2005 the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation released their plan “Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Plan 2005 – 2008” which includes the following projects
The aim of the Youth Development Project is to:
· Assist in developing and providing a range of structured activities for young people such as:
· On-country workshops
· Formal and informal sporting activities – GAC did have a Sports and Recreation Officer (funded by Dept of Sport & Recreation Qld) who finished August 06.
· Skate park(s) – Cardwell Skate Park is a current project.
· Support Indigenous young people to influence and participate in these activities
Initially the project would focus on the Tully/ Cardwell/ Ingham area due to limited resources. Over time, it is hoped that increased resources can be achieved so that the project can work across the Girringun region, including the Tablelands
This project aims to help young people who are at risk of dropping out of school, being involved with substance misuse or crime, or of family violence to get their lives back on track so that they can succeed in life. It has two parts aimed at prevention and early intervention.
· An education program about family violence for Indigenous students at schools across the region covered by the traditional country of the nine traditional owner groups that constitute Girringun region (shires of Johnstone, Herberton, Hinchinbrook, Cardwell, Dalrymple, Thuringowa and Eacham). This covers the area from Mission Beach in the north, to Rollingstone in the south, and extends west to Ravenshoe and Mt Garnet
· An on-country program of 3 weeks duration, targeting young people aged 14-20 years, who are at risk (family violence, anti-social behaviour, dropping out of school) to break the cycle and get back on track. This program would be available 5 times per year during school terms. Participants may already have dropped out of school or the school may recommend participation by students who are at high risk of dropping out. Others who have already had contact with the justice system or are involved with drugs and alcohol may be referred to the program by a magistrate, the Dept of Community Corrections, Community Support Centres or by family.
This residential program would assist participants to:
· establish connection to country, culture and Elders;
· build self esteem and confidence and develop a network of peers;
· address issues that may contribute to risky or criminal behaviour; and
· provide education and support to develop work skills and experience.
NOTE: Discussions have been conducted with Education Queensland who have advised that it’s not their Core Business to be conducting Cultural or Family camps/programs.
Girringun Youth Council
The youth council idea was an initiative from the Youth Negotiation Table meeting on the 28 November 2006 but to date I need assistance and advice on what are the steps needed to set up a Youth Council eg. develop project/activity plan, setting up membership, roles and responsibility, any legislative requirements, where to obtain funding etc.
The Department of Communities, Indigenous Engagement Officer developed some DRAFT objectives for the Girringun Youth Council:
- To develop and provide Youth Leadership skills and opportunities.
- Foster the development of leadership ability and skills of Indigenous youth
- Empower youth to address social and cultural issues
To date we have requested that Girringun Aboriginal Corporation provide a budget for this project.
If anyone is able to assist me please contact me on the below telephone numbers or above e-mail address? Also, you can contact Phil Rist, EO Girringun Aboriginal Corporation on 0740668300 (website - http://www.girringun.com.au).
Cheers
Jane Locke
Project Officer
ATSIP - NQRO
Tel: 07 4799 7531
Mble: 0409 446 463
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FW: Girringun Yout
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