City support young people through the Allies Project

Published on Friday, 23 December 2022 at 8:31:00 AM

The City of Albany has been awarded a Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant to fund the 2023 Allies Project.

The Allies Project will be led by the City’s Youth Advisory Council with guidance from City staff who will collect stories of those who have been a part of a regional LGBTQIA+ journey.

The stories can be from friends, work colleagues, parents, siblings, partners or family members that have supported someone’s LGBTQIA+ journey or been the centre of the journey themselves.

Stories will be recorded by story collectors at key events including Albany Pride Fair Day and the Pride Silent Disco where they will then be made available via a podcast.

ABC reporter Katie McAllister and author and literary critic Beejay Silcox will be running two workshops to assist young story collectors with technical knowledge and interview techniques.

The City will be seeking expressions of interest from local young people who are eager to be a part of the story collecting team and contribute to the project.

Community Development Coordinator Tammy Flett said the Allies Project aims to benefit a cross section of the Albany community.

“This project is for those who identify as LGBTQIA+, have been a part of an LGBTQIA+ journey, budding journalists, creatives and anyone who is interested in the content or the process,” she said.

“As we enter post-production stage, one story collector will be offered a mentorship from ABC reporter Katie McAllister to develop their skills in audio post-production.

“This is a vital project that supports our young people to feel welcome, heard and accepted in the city that they live in. Whatever their role, be it big or small, every ally has made a positive impact on someone else that will last a lifetime.”

Expressions of Interest are currently open for story collectors who want to take part in the Allies Project and close on 9 January 2023.

To submit an Expression of Interest residents can click here.

For more information, please contact Community Development Officer Laura Saunders on 6820 3130 or [email protected]

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