“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

REGISTRATIONS NOW DUE

Welcome Welcome to the Victorian Regional/Rural Youth Conference on Innovative, Interactive and Challenging ways to work with Young People, to be held on Thursday 5th of June 2014 at Kernot Hall in Morwell, Victoria. Registration is from 8.30 to 9am. We are bringing together dynamic, engaging and innovative people working in the youth sector, to share achievements of the past and present and celebrate goals for the future. The conference will showcase programs that provide positive outcomes for clients within a stimulating and rewarding work environment for practitioners.

This is an opportunity to share experiences in youth work across a broad range of practice areas including, but not exclusive to: youth housing; leaving care; out of home care; refugee and multicultural youth; mental health; disability; homelessness; parenting and child protection.

The following key note and workshop presenters are just some of the confirmed speakers for the day

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

SPEAKERSKey Note Speaker: Sophie Weldon

Changemaker in Residence @ FYA

As a young social pioneer, Sophie Weldon is passionate about working with organisations, businesses and individuals to develop innovative solutions to social challenges. Her passion for creativity and social change draws inspiration from the power of storytelling to inspire audiences to take action. Her own organisation Creative Ventures has produced videos, created story recording pods and developed creative engagements strategies to provide people with the opportunity to connect with issues that matter to them. Sophie worked for 2.5 years at Oxfam Australia coordinating the Design for Change program and now works at the Foundation for Young Australians on the Change it Up and Young Social Pioneers programs.

Master of Ceremonies:

Mark Collard

Mark Collard is a key figure in the professional development of Adventure Education in Australia, and was instrumental in the development of Project Adventure in the early 1990s. One of the first Certified Trainers for Project Adventure in Australia, Mark began to develop the business of Project Adventure Australia in 1991. Mark continues to be Project Adventure's only Certified Trainer in Australia. During his ten years with Project Adventure Australia, he has delivered a wide-variety of public enrolment and custom adventure-based learning programs for school, corporations and community groups all over Australia, New Zealand, south-east Asia and the USA. He has presented dozens of keynote speeches and practical sessions at various state, national and international conferences. Mark is noted as one of Australia's leading adventure educators.

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS Alexander Snow Change It Up Lead @ FYA

Alex is passionate about utilising the arts as a vehicle for social change and believes in honesty, humility, integrity… and sport! In his spare time Alex is a major contributor to the Melbourne based international development volunteer organisation YGAP where he focuses his talents on finding creative solutions for engaging with young people so that they can facilitate their own change. Some practical examples of Alex’s work have included the development of two pieces of advocacy based theatre with the Awareness Theatre Department at PPS, Cambodia; the creation of a peer to peer education model for young people experiencing disadvantage (through YGAP); and research into how the creative principles of Theatre of the Oppressed can inform the planning processes of organisations that want to work collaboratively for sustainable development outcomes (Masters thesis).

Libby Ward-Christie, Head of Enterprise Support and Investment, Social Traders.

Libby was the original architect of Social Traders’ flagship social enterprise start-up support program ‘The Crunch’. As Head of Enterprise Support and Investment, she now has responsibility for Social Traders’ Social Enterprise Development Fund and a Social Investment Portfolio of 12 early-stage social enterprises, as well as the new THRIVE program, which supports social enterprises that are already trading to enhance their viability and effectiveness. Social Traders currently has $1.84 million invested in 15 start-up social enterprises, which were incubated by Social Traders’ investment readiness capacity building program ‘The Crunch’.

MayibuyeKumari Middleton: FounderMayibuye us a youth led community organisation, which uses performing arts to facilitate educational opportunities for young people, who are vulnerable to negative peer pressure and at risk behavior. We ENGAGE youth through performing arts, EDUCATE around the issues facing their communities such as HIV, substance abuse bullying and racism, and then EMPOWER them to become positive role models and leaders by putting on performances which promote health decision making throughout their communities. Mayibuye is a Zulu word from South Africa that means - bringing back what was lost.

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

Crystal GoetzAustralian Childhood Trauma GroupMirabel Youth Ambassador Crystal is an exceptionally motivated young woman with a strong focus on continuously striving for best practice. Crystal believes in the power of worker attitudes and how positive leadership can make the biggest difference to children and young people. Currently working at the Australian Childhood Trauma Group and with 5 years experience as Mirabel Youth Ambassador, Crystal believes there are no excuses to turn away from children and young people in need.

Decibel RecordsKate Duncan Youth Musical Development Officer with program participants Natalie Taylor, Anthony Lucato, Alex Smart, and Holly Pereira

Decibels Records is a youth-led record label, targeted towards young people who are interested in pursuing a career within the music industry. Facilitated under a one year model, a committee of up to 17 young people are appointed and responsible for signing two artists to the label for the year. Throughout the year, Decibels Records committee members and artists meet weekly with industry mentors and program staff to produce and record two CD’s, launching the releases at an artist showcase event.

Youth PanelCrystal Goertz: Mirabel Foundation Youth Ambassador. Adam Pulford: Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations 2013 3rd panel member TBCEach of our youth panelists is a passionate and committed agent for social change. They have demonstrated outstanding achievements within their field. Using examples from their own journey our young panelists will workshop strategies to motivate and engage young people in movements for social change.

Youthworx

Youthworx uses creative media to engage extremely marginalised, disadvantaged young people, in a process of participation and development that seeks to reconnect them to society. This presentation will discuss the ‘life change’ model underpinning Youth worx and look at the key principles that have created an engaging teaching and learning space for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Built on the basis of a solid cross-sectoral partnership model (NMIT Tafe, Youth Development Australia, SYN Media, Salvation Army, and Swinburne University) Youthworx delivers high level accredited creative media training with tailored welfare and housing support, has strong links with industry and education, and a pathway into a media production social enterprise that employs graduates of the training.

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

WORKSHOP THEMESWorkshops include:

Homelessness and Leaving CareSocial and Living SkillsSocial EnterpriseGenuine Youth EngagementSelf-Funded Services

RefugeesMental HealthCALD and Multicultural IssuesDrug and Alcohol IssuesEmployment, Education, Training

WORKSHOP PRESENTERSOther presenters include:

Munira Yusuf: Youth Advocacy Officer Carlton CMYShiree Pilkinton: Multicultural Youth Worker CMY BallaratKofi Nortev: Ghanina Dancer/Choreographer and personal trainerYouth Insearch

Apprenticeship Groups AustraliaBerry StreetQuantum Support ServiceGippstafeHeadspace

Further information regarding workshops and presenters is

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

ongoing

REGISTRATION FORM

*verification of student status is required or full registration fee will be charged

Registration Fee Schedule

Early bird registration received by 10th May 2014

Final registrationreceived by 20th May 2014

Standard $45.00 $60.00

StudentConcession Card Holder*

$35.00 $50.00

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government”Victorian Rural Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

“Quantum Support Services acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government” Victorian Regional Youth Conference: Promoting Inspirational Work Practices

*carers and other support person may apply for an exemption to attend the conference with their client

A confirmation letter/tax invoice will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your registration being received.

To obtain the discounted rates, payment must be received by the due dates shown above.

CANCELLATIONSCancellations must be advised in writing by 1st June; there is a $20 cancellation fee per registration. After that date, refunds will only be issued in exceptional circumstances, but substitute delegates will be accepted.

PARTICPATING ORGANISATIONS