Major survey of WA youth gets underway

31/03/00
National Youth Week kicks off this weekend with the publication of Western Australia's first comprehensive youth survey 'Count Me In'.
Young people aged 12 to 25 are urged to take part in the survey, which comprises 50 questions under four headings: Background/Demographics, Experiences, Perceptions and Involvement and Participation.
The document will be published this weekend in The West Australian and Sunday Times newspapers and also is available from schools and on the Internet via the Office of Youth Affairs' DotU web site, http://www.dotu.wa.gov.au from April 1-14.
Completed surveys can be sent through the post free of charge, courtesy of Australia Post.
Youth Minister Mike Board said the State Government hoped to receive as many responses as possible to give an overview of the lives of young people in WA - their needs, wants, concerns and opinions on a broad range of issues, demographic information and areas of disadvantage.
The information will form the basis for a State youth strategy.
Count Me In has been planned by the Office of Youth Affairs in conjunction with every major media organisation in Western Australia.
Sponsorship and support has been provided by The Sunday Times, The West Australian, Community Newspapers, Channel 7, Channel 9, Channel 10, GWN, WIN TV, the ABC, PMfm, 92.9fm, 6PR, 96fm, 6IX and RTR-FM.
Mr Board said the survey was an important aspect of National Youth Week, which runs from April 2-8, but was not the only major event planned.
"The centrepiece for the week will be the April 6 WA Youth Awards Showcase, an event we launched last year as a means of encouraging and rewarding the endeavours of young people," he said.
"There was a need to counter the all-too-often negative publicity about our youth, publicity which has painted an inaccurate and unfair image.
"These awards are an example of the often astounding achievements of young people that previously had gone unrecognised."
This year's awards showcase attracted about 300 entries in the three sections, WA Youth Awards, WA Youth Media Awards and the Youth Minister's Positive Image Award.
There are 30 finalists in the Youth Awards, 19 in the Media category and six in the Positive Image Award.
Winners, including the WA Young Person of the Year, will be announced on April 6 at the showcase awards night at Burswood Resort Ballroom.
"This year is the inaugural National Youth Week and I have been pleased to see that celebrations and activities have been planned throughout the State, many with the assistance of our Youth Advisory Councils," Mr Board said.
"This week is an opportunity for the community as a whole to recognise young people for their achievements and play a part in breaking down the often unfair and negative perceptions about them."

LIST OF ADVISED ACTIVITIES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA DURING NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK.
YOUTH AWARDS SHOWCASE - Thursday, April 6 - Burswood Resort
The showcase brings together three streams of awards held during the past year for a major presentation evening.

• Youth Minister's Positive Image Award (six finalists)
  (to recognise and reward secondary school students who, through their
  deeds or actions, make a difference to their community)
• WA Youth Media Awards (19 finalists)
  (to recognise journalists and media organisations for excellence in reporting on youth issues)
• WA Youth Awards (30 finalists)
  (to recognise young Western Australian achievers in the categories of:
  Achievement, Leadership, Community Service, Environment, Initiative and Inspiration.
  (These awards are also open to winners of existing youth awards such as those conducted by Rotary, Lions, Apex, Silver Chain, Australian Day Council, Zonta etc).

STATE-WIDE YOUTH SURVEY
An attitudinal State-wide youth survey, conducted and promoted in co-operation with all leading media organisations.
Results will assist with the development of the State Youth Strategy.
CHURCHES
The Heads of Churches in WA have been approached to devote their services on April 2 to the celebration of youth.
CONNECT AT QUARRY STREET
The Quarry Youth Health Centre, the Fremantle Community Youth Service, the Fremantle Youth Advisory Council, Family and Children's Services and the South Metropolitan Youth Link have combined to present a free sausage sizzle in the carpark of No 7 Quarry Street Fremantle, on Thursday, April 6 from noon - 2pm.
The event will include activities such as wall climbing and information on health and youth services will be available.
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL EVENTS
Grants of up to $1,500 each have been made available under the WA Youth Grants Program to support Youth Advisory Council (YAC) events at the local level.
Jurien Youth Group
Underage Rage at Jurien Hall, April 6
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River YAC
Skate board competition, April 2
Shire of Brookton YAC
Dance Party, April 7
Shire of Capel YAC
Youth Celebration Concert, Capel Hall, April 8
Shire of Dardanup YAC
Celebration Dance Party, Eaton Hall, April 8
Shire of Collie YAC
Dance Party and concert showcasing local talent, April 8
Shire of Three Springs YAC
Family Fun/Games Day and youth disco, April 2 and 8
Shire of Waroona YAC
Family Quiz Night organised and run by YAC, April 8
Town of Vincent YAC
Youth Festival in Hyde Park, April 2
Town of Mosman Park YAC
Week-long youth festival.
Shire of Balingup YAC
Establish a YAC garden and paint bins in main street, April 3
City of Mandurah YAC
Skate competition, womens' workshop on learning to skateboard,
street theatre, April 5 - 8.
Shires of Swan/Bassendean/Mundaring YACs
Joint youth festival - skateboarding, theatre, bands etc, April 2
Shire of Donnybrook
Fun run, April 2
Shires of Busselton and Dunsborough YACs in conjunction with Naturaliste Sports Club Inc
'Big Day on Wheels' skate activities and concert, April 8
City of Cockburn YAC
Lunchtime performances in local schools (skate-board demonstrations, drama productions). Release and distribution of youth magazine,
'Re-Generate'. Essay and art competition, April 7
City of Wanneroo YAC
Awards night to recognise young people who have excelled in the
community.
Shire of Nannup YAC
All ages alcohol free concert, April 7
Shire of Dundas YAC
All night rage party, April 7
Shire of Rockingham YAC
Youth Festival performance day, April 8 (circus, music, street parade, fire event, concert)
Shire of Broome YAC
Mad Hatters Dance Party, April 8
Shires of Boyup Brook and Bridgetown-Greenbushes
Opening of Skate Park, April 8

Shire of Shark Bay YAC
Youth disco, April 7
Town of Kwinana YAC
Underage dance party and Battle of the Bands Competition, April 2
Shire of Esperance YAC
It's a Knockout team event at Bay of Isles Leisure Centre. Publication of
magazine for insertion in local papers, compiled by high school media
students and YAC members.
Display at local shopping centre highlighting positive media coverage of young people over the past 12 months, April 2-8
Shire of Merridin YAC
A dance party for Central East Wheatbelt youth, April 8
City of Gosnells YAC
Open Day at the Kenwick Youth Resource Centre - live bands, urban arts, demonstrations, photo exhibition, April 7
Shire of York YAC
Youth event including speakers on youth issues in the community, followed by band performance, April 8
Shires of Coolgardie/Kalgoorlie/Kambalda YACs
Skateboarding, rollerblading and music event at Kambalda Skate Park, April 2
Town of Port Hedland YAC
Youth concert and open day at the youth centre. Week long display promoting National Youth Week, April 1 - 8
City of South Perth YAC
All Age Skate and Dance Rage, April 8
Town of Cambridge and City of Nedlands YACs
'Closing Party' featuring skate ramps, bungee run, climbing wall etc, April 8
LEADERSHIP WA
The Leadership College will conduct a forum on the importance of leadership to young people, 'Leadership and Investing in You'. The program is designed to provide participants with skills that will assist in the development of their potential.
April 5 - City of South Perth Civic Centre.
YOUTH JOBS DAY
Sponsored by Morgan and Banks. Motivational speakers, interview techniques, role playing, resume writing instruction etc.
A bank of work opportunities will be available for young people attending the day. Perth Concert Hall - Tuesday, April 4.
SEMINARS
Centrelink, Job Network and the Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee are holding a series of seminars for young job seekers and school students. Leading sports stars will be involved as motivational speakers.
Job Network members will speak to students on job seeking, available vacancies, apprenticeships and traineeships.
Centrelink will talk about mutual obligation and work for the dole.
The Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee will provide valuable skills sessions on writing a CV and providing interview skill techniques.
Northam on March 27, Narrogin March 31, Merredin April 3 and Moora April 7.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
All libraries have been sent an information kit and invited to become involved in National Youth Week.
Rockingham Community Library
Readers' Theatre. Students from local high schools write scripts for short
plays which will be judged and the winning entries performed by the students
in the library during the week.

THEATRE
POP - by Tim Minchin
Blue Room Theatre, James Street, Northbridge. Shows at 8pm nightly. Tickets through the Blue Room - 9227 7005. Runs through National Youth Week.
A play written, performed, produced and directed by young people under 25 years.

Media contact: Tamatha Smith 9222 9211