Hobsons Bay New and Emerging Communities Youth Leadership Program

Overview

This award winning program develops the leadership skills of young people from new and emerging communities in Hobsons Bay. Participants learn about leadership, communication and team work through camps and a series of workshops with police and other agencies. Their new skills allow them to advocate for their communities and inspire other newly arrived young people.

What are the aims of the project?

As well as developing their leadership skills, the project aims to help youth from new and emerging communities feel welcome and valued in the local community. It aims to build positive relationships between young people and the agencies involved in the project, including the police. The project also aims to educate the wider community about newly arrived communities.

What was involved?

The 2009 Youth Leadership Program was held between January and July. The program was advertised to newly arrived communities and participants were selected.

Those chosen to participate in the program attended an introduction session. Over the next six months, participants attended a four day camp in bushland near Melbourne. They also attended workshops on topics including leadership, emergency services, employment, education and the legal system in Victoria through a visit to Parliament House and the Melbourne Magistrates Court. The end of the program was marked with a graduation ceremony with the Mayor of Hobsons Bay.

The leadership program was developed in 2006 in consultation with the young leaders themselves who identified the skills and knowledge they wanted to acquire and pass on to their communities. The program has also run in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

One of the highlights of the program is the camp where participants develop skills in leadership, communication and team work. They also engage in social and recreational activities including table tennis, badminton, football, basketball, netball and bushwalks.

The 2008 and 2009 program was funded by Hobsons Bay City Council. It was supported and developed in partnership with Victoria Police, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Migrant Resource Centre North West Region and the Western Bulldogs.

An evaluation of the 2009 program is planned for later this year.

Who participated?

Fifteen young people from new and emerging communities between 16 and 25 years old participated in the 2009 program. The group came from Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia and Karen Community from Burma.

What were the outcomes?

Since program development began in 2006, it has proved to be extremely successful. Nearly every newly arrived family in Hobsons Bay has had a young person represented in the program since it began.

The 2008 program won a commendation in the prestigious 2008 National Awards for Local Government.

Where can I get more information?

Further information on this project is available.

Jade Nolan
Youth Services Department and Multicultural Access Unit
Hobsons Bay Council
Telephone: 03 9932 3000

Leading Senior Constable Richard Dove
Multicultural Liaison Officer
Victoria Police
Region 2 (West)
Email: richard.dove@police.vic.gov.au
Telephone:
0438374071
03 9689 4630