VIBEWIRE APPOINTS A NEW CEO, FAREWELLS FOUNDER TOM DAWKINSVibewire, a leading Australian youth organisation, announced today that after eight years heading up the organisation, founding CEO Tom Dawkins will be stepping down.
Simon Sheikh, Chair of the Vibewire, said today "the Board are incredibly excited to announce that Nathan Frick, 22, will be joining Vibewire as of Monday the 14th of April, as our new Chief Executive Officer. Nathan has an array of experience in the corporate and non-government sectors and is a young man with an incredible amount of passion."
"The board would also like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing CEO Tom Dawkins. Tom established Vibewire in 2000 and as the founding CEO has supported Vibewire to grow into a national NGO run for young people by young people. The board wishes Tom every success in his future endeavours."
Over the past seven years Vibewire has allowed a diverse band of determined young people to:
· Send youth reporters out on the Federal election campaign trail twice, in 2004 and 2007
· Publish five magazines, the most recent of which, Interface 2007, launched at the Sydney Writers Festival
· Host three virtual conferences (number four is in three weeks!), and several symposiums/conferences
· Run Reelife Short Film Festival five times, with 22 screenings in six cities featuring over 70 films made by young Australians with something to say
· Open sQuareOne (
www.s1.org.au), the only space of its kind in Australia, supporting numerous youth-led enterprises, organisations and projects
· Publish over 3,000 articles written by young people 15-30 on
Vibewire.net (
www.vibewire.net)
Vibewire and its volunteers have been recognised nationally and internationally, including by the United Nations. CEO Tom Dawkins has also been recognised with a Future Summit Leadership Award from Australians Davos Connections and a Global Youth Action Net Fellowship by the International Youth Foundation for his work setting up Vibewire.
"I want to pay tribute to all who have been part of this incredible journey, especially the volunteers, interns and staff, partners, sponsors, supporters and advocates who have made and continue to make it possible for us to continue our work. I am so grateful for the support of individuals and organisations I have been able to work with during this time and would like to thank those I have learnt from and been supported by" said Tom.
"I am very proud that Vibewire is now at the point where I am able to hand over to a great young leader in Nathan Frick supported by a strong leadership team and amazing staff and volunteers. Nathan brings with him a significant amount of experience and a passion for and commitment to meaningful youth participation."
In accepting the position, Nathan Frick said "I'm both honoured and extremely excited to take up the CEO role of Vibewire."
"Vibewire is an amazing organisation with equally amazing supporters, dedicated to the development of young people, their talents and abilities, while encouraging real youth participation and ownership. It is a unique and extraordinary privilege to be joining the Vibewire team, and I look forward to taking on the challenge and creating opportunities for Vibewire, its staff, volunteers and members, both now and into the future."
"Vibewire in so many ways sums up the attitudes, hopes and aspirations of young people that I personally hold with such high regard and strive to achieve – to give young people a chance to grow, to develop and to have their opinions heard."
Vibewire supporters in Sydney and Melbourne will have the chance to meet Nathan at events next week marking both Tom's farewell and the introduction of Nathan Frick to the organisation.
Welcome to Nathan/Farewell to Tom events:
Melbourne: Wednesday March 26, Horse Bazaar, 397 Little Lonsdale St 6-9pm, music and comedy, $10 (proceeds support Vibewire)
Sydney: Thursday March 27, Mori Gallery, 168 Day St, 7pm, drinks and nibbles provided.
Media contacts:
Simon Sheikh Tom Dawkins Nathan Frick
Chair Founder Incoming CEO
0422 252 483 0416 099 534 0400 495 781
board@vibewire.net tom@vibewire.net nathan@vibewire.net
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