Tablelands Youth

Supporting our youth

Supporting our youth

iTalk Youth Engagement Project

The iTalk Youth Engagement Project is facilitated by Tablelands Regional Council in partnership with youth support services across the Tablelands. Young people aged 12 to 25 years will have an opportunity to raise and address issues of relevance to them through a two tiered youth engagement strategy from 2011-2013.

The project will actively involve young people to enhance and promote opportunities for young people to develop new skills, interests and leadership potential, particularly those from vulnerable, at-risk and marginalised backgrounds. Young people will participate in high school based engagement strategies and community agency/services consultation which will feed into the Regional Summit. The two tiered strategy will be delivered using a community cultural development framework, focusing on youth development and promoting positive images of young people in communities.

The youth engagement strategy encompasses youth engagement at both town and and regional levels and builds on existing youth networks and structures such as high schools, youth services and groups to reach young people across the region. This project also builds on the regional youth engagement conducted in 2009.

iTalk Media Release
iTalk Project Plan

Shiralee McHardie, Council's Youth Development Officer provides advocacy for young people in local government processes and assists in the strategic planning of youth services across the Tablelands region.

Shiralee McHardie's contact details:
31 James Street, Malanda, Queensland, Australia
Tel:  07 4096 5311      Direct: 07 4043 4111
Fax: 07 4096 5086      Email:  shiraleem [at] trc [dot] qld [dot] gov [dot] au

"Youth development is about providing all young people with positive experiences and opportunities which enhance their strengths and capacity, which affirm them as contributors to their communities and shapers of their own future. Through youth development, communities are able to recognise, value, support and encourage young people's contribution." (Good Practice in Youth Development; Ausyouth 2001)

Bronze Medallion Course Youth Engagement – Our Voice Our Future

Youth Engagement - Our Voice Our Future
The project will provide a range of opportunities for young people to have a say about their issues, concerns and aspirations. The project will use youth arts, dance and sporting activities to engage with young people, culminating in a Regional Youth Forum later in the year. The aim is to develop a sustainable regional youth network to put into action the key outcomes of the Forum.