Reel Connections
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Overview
Reel Connections offers a range of community arts training programs that provide young people with an opportunity to develop new skills, meet new people and learn more about the law in Australia.
What are the aims of the project?
The project aims to build intercultural understanding through community arts practice whilst also exposing young people to training and employment pathways.
The aim is also to enhance social cohesion and reduce anti-social behaviour, promote awareness of legal rights and responsibilities and to prevent young people from entering the justice system.
What was involved?
Reel Connections is a community partnership led by the City of Stirling in partnership with the City of Wanneroo, Western Australia Police, Community Arts Network WA, Filmbites Youth Film School and Balga Detached Youth Work Project.
Reel Connections received Commonwealth Government funding from the National Community Crime Prevention Program (Attorney-General’s Department) to employ a full-time project officer to coordinate the project. The six project partners meet every two months to plan future programs and reflect on progress.
The Community Arts Network WA delivers the accredited training component of the project and Filmbites Youth Film School delivers the multimedia component of the project.
Who participated?
Participants are sourced through community organisations, schools and 'at risk' youth support services.
The project targets indigenous and newly-arrived young people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who live in or regularly visit Mirrabooka, Balga, Girrawheen and surrounding suburbs.
Since 2007, more than 90 young people have participated in the project.
What were the outcomes?
The multimedia training programs have successfully engaged young people in the production of multimedia resources that promote the safety and wellbeing of the community. A number of short films and documentaries have already been produced as part of the project. This includes a 12-minute short film that addresses the consequences of driving without a drivers licence and a ten minutes short film which explores the role of the police in Australia.
The creative outcomes of Reel Connections programs have culminated in performances for family and friends, film premieres with over 200 attendees and public exhibitions and wall murals displaying their work.
A program of information sessions have also been developed in partnership with organisations including Youth Legal Service, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Western Australia Police, Mercy Employment and Relationships Australia.
Where can I get more information?
Further information on this project is available.
Sarah Janali
Reel Connection Project Officer
City of Stirling
Telephone: 08 9349 7999
Email: Janali.Sarah@stirling.wa.gov.au
Quotes
"Working with CALD Youth and Reel Connections in the making of innovative Police/Community education films, I became more and more aware that they (the youth) are the answer to a harmonious future. By directly carrying their knowledge of the laws of the new land to their family and friends, their message then creates a greater understanding and a safer community for all." Sergeant Don Emanuel-Smith, West Metro Crime Prevention Office (WA Police)
"A new land, a new beginning, a new place...different rules that each one must embrace." Sergeant Don Emanuel-Smith, West Metro Crime Prevention Office (WA Police)