Our Young Heroes

Words: Greg Nelson

I’d like to fill everyone in on a new project that is starting to get some legs: http://www.ouryoungheroes.org.au is a website dedicated to highlighting the efforts and achievements of young people around Australia with the aim to:

• improve the perception of young people amongst the community, and
• help promote youth leadership (and volunteering)

We hope to get to the point where we:

• have a cache of profiles outstanding young people, proof positive of their value and capability
• provide a consolidated database of new opportunities for youth leadership in Australia
• provide resources for young people to promote themselves and young people, in addition to coordinating proactive efforts to improve the
  image of young people through the media

That is the big picture. We still have things to do to get there.

Right now, we are looking to:

• gather a more complete list of current youth leadership opportunities
• collect list of outstanding young Australians to make up the
  foundation for future profiles
• find others interested in helping achieve our vision
• spread word about the project, to those likely to help with the
  three previous points

If you’d like to join our committee, and help us out with some of these tasks, please check out the website for more detail and contact us at info@ouryoungheroes.org.au.

If you’d just like to keep up to date with how things are progressing, just send a quick reply to this email, follow us on twitter or facebook, or subscribe to the newsletter on our website.

The Prime Minister’s Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Challenge

Are you 12-24 and have a great idea that can make a difference?

The Prime Minister’s (PM’s) Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Challenge is about young people coming up with fresh ideas on how to engage other young people in their community. It can be anything – a project on how to address a local need or a way to promote a positive image of young people in your community!

The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth opened the initiative on 13 April 2010 and announced that winning entries will be provided with funding of up to $15,000, to turn their idea into reality.

The winning ideas will be documented on the AYF website.

Apply now! Entries close 5.00pm AEST Tuesday 11 May 2010.

Mark Rossiter

Mark is working on a project called Pushbike Parking, as part of his business ‘Penny Farthings’. He is one of many young people who have used Visible Ink Valley’s cheap office space to start their own business, social enterprise or creative project.

Mark starting developing a number of ideas around increasing the number of people who would use cycling to get around Brisbane…and most of his products are designed to make it easier and more enjoyable to get on your bike and get active.

From environmentally sustainable showers and bike lockers, to creating the largest bike track in the world, Mark is taking advantage of Visible Ink’s resources, support and networks to fast track his ideas. For more information check out the website or contact Visible Ink Valley on 34030136!

Social Innovators Program

Update: You can now download the Social Innovators Program Application Form

Live or work in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane? Can you imagine a world where your ideas are realised? Sign up to the Social Innovators Program to get that extra something that makes the difference.

The Social Innovators Program is bringing together 18-25’s who are active in their communities.

If you are leading , creating, volunteering and/or influencing the world around you, this is a prime networking, learning and support opportunity. People with new ideas and those already forging ahead are welcome.

The program consists of five workshop days across five months.

In the Social Innovators Program, you will:

• Exchange knowledge, experience and ideas with like-minded people
• Develop your skills and knowledge as a community leader
• Get connected to experienced social innovators
• Find out about resources and other relevant opportunities
• Get support for your ideas and community initiatives

Program Dates:

• Day 1 – 21 November 2009
• Day 2 – 22 November 2009
• Day 3 – 5 December 2009
• Day 4 – 6 February 2010
• Day 5 – 20 March 2010

(Sessions will be held at venues in Toowong and Indooroopilly)

The Social Innovators Program is responsive to the interest and input of participants.

Interested?

For further information, queries or an application form, please email Mark Creyton on mark (at) volqld (dot) org (dot) au

YourTutor, Council library’s FREE online tutoring service

Did you know that high school aged young people can access one-to-one tutoring through Brisbane City Council Library’s YourTutor service?

YourTutor is a free online service that connects primary and high school students to qualified, expert tutors in Maths, Science and English.

Yourtutor also provides project and assignment support and covers curriculum areas from years 4 to 12, chat online with a tutor, share documents, images, web pages and illustrate ideas.

To get started with Yourtutor, visit Council’s Libraries then follow these three simple steps:

1. click on ‘Yourtutor’
2. select your level and subject
3. then click ‘go’

Library members can access Yourtutor from their home computers between 4-8pm, Monday to Friday.

Other resources

If you’re looking for more information for homework or assignments visit the library catalogue to search individual databases or Database Single Search:

• visit Libraries click on ‘library catalogue search’
• then ‘Databases’
• view periodical, academic and media databases:

You will find many articles and reference books online including:

• Opposing viewpoints reference centre – search an easy to use A-Z list of subjects for information on hot topics including animal rights, bioethics, cloning, feminism, global warming and renewable energy.
• Britannica Online – the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica database of 72,000 articles including sound, animation and over 10,000 illustrations is free to access for all library members.

Your Mt Coot-tha – Into the Future!

Brisbane City Council wants to hear what you have to say about the past, present and future of one of this city’s most treasured assets, Mt Coot-tha!

Mt Coot-tha is one of Brisbane’s unique and valued icons because of its location, resources, historical and cultural significance. Brisbane City Council is currently developing an integrated 20 year master plan to make sure Mt Coot-tha’s diverse uses, unique stories, spaces, destinations and experiences are enhanced and sustained for generations to come.

The following survey will only take a few minutes of your time and will give us some fantastic insight that can help develop the Mt Coot-tha master plan. For more information check out the website at - www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/mtcoot-tha

Photographic Competition Scene and Unseen

The Welfare Rights Centre is behind a photographic competition that is intended to raise awareness of poverty and social exclusion in Queensland. This competition will not only raise awareness amongst the general community but will give a wide range of people an opportunity to get involved in their community.

This competition is sponsored by the Electrical Trades Union – Qld Branch. The primary objective of Trade Unions has always been the maintenance and improvement of living standards for the member, their dependents, those unable to work and those who have retired from the workforce.

The main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:

• Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia;
• Encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

For more information visit  http://www.sceneandunseen.com

Youth Strategy Refresh 2009

The BCC Youth Team is just about to start re-writing the Youth Strategy for Brisbane, and we really want YOUR input. This is your chance to directly affect the future of Brisbane for people aged 12 to 25…

The following survey may look a bit drab, but rest assured your answers and thoughts will be used directly to write the new Youth Strategy, plus it’ll only take about 5 minutes.

And we’re always happy to have a chat, if you want to get in touch or drop by one of the Visible Ink spaces.

Brisbane Creative Industries – Events List

If you’re into the creative industries be sure to head to the BCI Events List website. It’s JAM PACKED full of events for each month, more than any one person could ever hope to attend!

Head directly to the August list of events

Thanks as always to Hannah (@hannahsuarez on Twitter) for maintaining this awesome list!

Transit Lounge Brisbane – Tax Advice sessions for young artists

30 minute one-on-one Tax Advice sessions with Brian Tucker
Wednesday 16 September
4 x 30 minute sessions between 4:00pm – 6:00pm,
@ Transit Lounge Brisbane (Level 3, Judith Wright Centre, 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley)
Bookings are essential. For bookings or enquiries, email program@transitlounge.org.au

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