Minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee
Meeting Date: Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra
Time: 10:00am
The following members were present:
Ms Georgia Coleman - Chairperson
Clr Paul Ell (Remotely) – Left Meeting at 11:13am
Ms Hazel Marr – Nowra Youth Centre
Ms Lily Wright – UOW Shoalhaven
Ms Karina Maya - Ulladulla High School (remotely)
Ms Manuel Maya - Ulladulla High School (remotely)
Ms Holly Forbes - Ulladulla High School (remotely)
Ms Ebony Wellman – Ulladulla High School (remotely)
Ms Sophie Weller - St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
Mr Cameron Nelson - St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
Ms Serena McDonald - St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
Mr Nathaniel Woodcock – Community Member (South)
Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections
Others present:
Ms Jessica Richardson - Community Capacity Builder
Mr Jared Brown – Community Capacity Builder Aboriginal - Left meeting at 10:48am
Ms Marsha Makary - Community Capacity Builder - Homelessness
Mr Nathaniel Woodcock – Community Member (South)
Ms Jo Coleman - St John the Evangelist Catholic High School (Staff Support)
Mr Emile Dupont-Louis - Ulladulla High School (Staff Support)
Mr Andrew Britton – Office of Regional Youth
The Chairperson gave an Acknowledgement of Country.
Apologies were received from Clr Gray, Clr White and Shoalhaven River College.
|
That the Minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee held on Wednesday 17 August 2022 be confirmed. |
Ms Hazel Marr – YA22.26 - significant non-pecuniary interest declaration - Ms Marr is a member of the Nowra Youth Centre – will not vote.
|
HPERM Ref: D22/431876 |
|
|
Note: Mr Jared Brown left the meeting, the time being 10:48am. |
|
|
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Youth Advisory Committee: 1. Accept and receive the Update on Actions report for information. 2. The following actions are considered complete and removed from the action table a. YA22.18 - Transport for New South Wales - TfNSW - Presentation - 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program b. YA22.19 - Shoalhaven Community Investment Committee Presentation - Youth Employment c. YA22.20 - Action Table Update - August 2022 d. YA22.21 - YAC Leadership Workshop - 12 October 2022 e. YA22.22 - Chairperson - Next Meeting - 16 November 2022 - St Johns Representative |
|
|
That the Youth Advisory Committee: 1. Accept and receive the Update on Actions report for information. 2. The following actions are considered complete and removed from the action table a. YA22.18 - Transport for New South Wales - TfNSW - Presentation - 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program b. YA22.19 - Shoalhaven Community Investment Committee Presentation - Youth Employment c. YA22.20 - Action Table Update - August 2022 d. YA22.21 - YAC Leadership Workshop - 12 October 2022 e. YA22.22 - Chairperson - Next Meeting - 16 November 2022 - St Johns Representative |
|
|
HPERM Ref: D22/432499 |
|
|
Ms Jessica Richardson gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the Leadership Workshop. The information presented is attached to these minutes. |
|
|
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Youth Advisory Committee: 1. Receive this report on the Leadership Workshop 2022 for information. 2. Accept the use of YAC budget to cover the $1,500 costs of the workshop. |
|
|
That the Youth Advisory Committee: 1. Receive this report on the Leadership Workshop 2022 for information. 2. Accept the use of YAC budget to cover the $1,500 costs of the workshop. |
|
GENERAL BUSINESS
Note: The Committee adjourned for refreshments at 11:04am and returned from adjournment at 11:10am.
Clr Paul Ell expressed his appreciation to everyone that has been involved in the Youth Advisory Committee over the past year and left the meeting, the time being 11:13am.
Youth Advisory Committee Engagement Activity:
Ms Jess Richardson presented to the Committee and conducted Committee surveys
· The first item presented on was Council’s Draft Sustainability and Climate Policy, and the Committee was asked:
i. What does sustainability mean to you?
The following is the feedback received:
o Thinking for the future
o Considering our carbon footprint
o To reduce our waste
o Reducing our consumption
o Long-lasting and stable
ii. What actions should be considered for Council’s Action Plan?
The following is the feedback received:
o Further education for youths on mental health and environmental issues.
o That Council should consider green bins and filling in potholes which would greatly increase sustainability.
o Working on creating or ensuring stable career paths for youths around the Shoalhaven.
o Consultations with communities to see what is necessary for specific regions.
o (Re)Design infrastructure to not require motor vehicles locally.
o Rehabilitate the land and support local communities.
o Create a day where people of all cultures and backgrounds prepare stalls to showcase food, traditional dress etc. to inform youth about these cultures.
o Design with pedestrian access being first priority
· The second item presented on was Youth priorities, and the committee was surveyed on, What matters to youth?
The following were the top 5 priorities identified by the Committee:
i. Mental health support
ii. Education, training and employment opportunities
iii. Health and wellbeing
iv. Belonging and connection to community
v. Improved education system
o Encouraging more youth to become actively involved in extra-curriculars may improve their schooling experience and future career prospects.
o Schools could teach subjects which create more sustainable career options for youth.
o Ms Jo Coleman noted that St John the Evangelist Catholic High School have opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to participate in School based traineeships, which has produced many examples of success. Ms Coleman suggested if there were more opportunities for supported employment pathways through schools, more youth would engage.
o Schools could be more aware and demonstrate acceptance of diversity through teaching students about disabilities.
o More opportunities for young people to become involved in the Ulladulla community through community organisations and volunteering.
o People who suffer with mental illnesses would manage better if they had easier access to the services they need, and more knowledge on how these can be accessed.
o Education differences between public and private schools. It was mentioned that not using homework has had a beneficial impact on students.
o Connection to community is important to identity and to excelling educationally.
o Mr Emile Dupont-Louis from Ulladulla High School commented that he would like to receive feedback from youth regarding their experiences with mental health services locally, and what needs to change to make these services more easily accessible. The following outlines the feedback received:
§ A majority of young people do not feel comfortable or confident accessing services.
§ Referrals to counselling can sometimes take months.
§ Many people feel their experience is not valid and do not feel they should access the services, and wait until crisis point.
§ It is preferable to most people to speak in person, rather than online, with their Mental Health Supports.
§ One of the barriers for youth under 16 to accessing support services is the requirement to have a parent’s permission.
§ Young people who live in more distant regional areas do not have the means of transport to access these services.
§ Increasing awareness of mental health supports in schools in general would help encourage youth to access services. Making information cards available, providing links on student websites or QR codes to relevant websites are a way to increase awareness.
· Youth Week 2023 – The Committee was asked to provide feedback on the following questions to Jessica Richardson to consider how Council will celebrate young people during this time.
i. Do you have any ideas on how to make Youth Week 2023 better? If you could come up with a hashtag or theme for the events what would they be?
ii. What time of day and days of the week would you most likely attend one of these events?
The following feedback was received:
o The Youth Festival is a great opportunity for young people to showcase and make money selling their goods in the market.
o Encourage the involvement of local schools to engage young people to be a part of the day.
o Ensure the event is accessible to everyone of all abilities and engaging for young adults.
o Support for accessing the event and transport options from around the Shoalhaven was highlighted as an area of focus.
o The most preferable time and day for the event was identified to be on a Saturday any time after 11am, holding the main events from 3pm up until 7pm, or when transport options stop.
· Nomination of Chairperson for 2023
The Committee proceeded to nominate a chairperson for the first two Youth Advisory Committee meetings of 2023.
1 March 2023 - Ms Sophie Weller - St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
17 May 2023 - Ms Hazel Marr – Nowra Youth Centre
There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 12:06pm.
Ms Georgia Coleman
CHAIRPERSON