Youth recovery in focus

Planning a coordinated response to youth recovery after this summer’s bushfires continues this week.

Eurobodalla’s youth sector workers – including public and private agency representatives, high schools, TAFE, Council and police – will come together in Moruya for the third in a series of forums aimed at making sure the shire’s young people get the best possible support.

Hosted by Eurobodalla Council’s youth services team, Thursday’s session will review the ideas and concerns raised by local youth at a specially-convened workshop in late February.

Youth development officer Angie McMillan said the forum goal would be to agree on a coordinated response between agencies.

“It was clear when the youth sector first got together after the fires we needed to hear directly from young people. They’ve now told us what they need, and it’s our job to figure out how we provide that support in the most efficient way,” Ms McMillan said.

“For instance, a common theme was wanting to volunteer to help the shire rebuild. Possible actions include running a ‘white card’ course or a workshop on planting out native vegetation, both give our youth the skills to help out.”

Ms McMillan said the response of the youth sector following the fires had been fantastic.

“Working together as a group means we can pool our resources and funding to provide the best programs possible. It also means we’re duplicating less and not wasting energy doing the same things. There’s lots of goodwill and cooperation shining through.”

To RSVP for the forum or for more information contact community development officer Yvonne Hutcheson on 4474 1081 or [email protected]