Youth Advisory Council Conference (YAC ATTACK '99) held at 'Swanleigh'

9/10/99
Youth Minister Mike Board will officially open the second annual Youth Advisory Council Conference, YAC ATTACK '99 at
'Swanleigh', Yule Avenue, Middle Swan, today (Saturday) at 9.15am.
Approximately 200 members and co-ordinators from 70 Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) will be attending the conference from the metropolitan, Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid-West, Goldfields, Esperance, Great Southern, South-West, Peel and Wheatbelt areas.
YACs are unique to Western Australia and are involving young people in the State Government's decision making process.
The Minister said YACs were evolving rapidly and had proved that they were not just about meeting and talking.
"Young people have shown us through their active involvement in YACs that they are all about becoming involved, taking action and showing their community what they are capable of achieving," Mr Board said.
"I am very proud of the way they have accepted the challenge from me and the Office of Youth Affairs to canvas the views of other young people and help their local government councils deliver youth services and facilities.
"Our YACs have been such a tremendous success that other Sates are following our example and exploring ways to set up similar networks for young people."
YAC views and advice have been sought on a range of issues by the Office of Youth Affairs and they have provided representatives to many groups including the National Youth Round Table and the Young Road Users Taskforce.
The YAC Attack '99 conference will continue until 12 noon tomorrow (Sunday). Hosts for the conference will be the Western Australian Champion for Youth, West Coast Eagle Dean Kemp, and Kellie O'Mara, a member of the Young Road Users Taskforce and Youth Officer with the Town of Mosman Park.
Keynote speakers include:

• Sue Gordon AM, Magistrate, Perth Children's Court, who will speak on leadership (Saturday 11.30am and Sunday 11.30am);
• Colin Bell, Chairman, North Metropolitan Perth Area Consultative Committee, who will speak on employment and enterprise (Saturday 2pm); and -
• Grania Talemaitoga, Education Department, who will speak on youth health and well-being (Sunday 10am).

Workshops will be conducted on employment, leadership, sponsorship, cross cultural awareness, enterprise, youth health and well-being, public space and networking via the world wide web.
Media contacts:
Jan Watt (Office of Youth Affairs) 9476 200
Jody Robb (Minister's Office) 9222 9235