Children and young people leading healthier communities

We have partnered with VicHealth on a three-year project to strengthen the creation of a community where children and young people are able to grow up active, healthy and socially connected.

Out of the 16 fast-track local government areas included in the partnership, East Gippsland’s approach will focus on a coordinated and collaborative approach dedicated to children young people’s health and wellbeing.

Communities in East Gippsland have faced traumatic drought and bushfire and are working to reconnect with those who have been hit hardest.

East Gippsland will use a place-based approach to build on the strengths and networks present in communities, with the ultimate aim of supporting children and young people to have a seat at the decision-making table to lead the planning and design of healthier communities.

Children and young people aged 0-25 represent approximately 25% of the East Gippsland population and face several barriers to leading healthy lifestyles.

The VicHealth partnership will build the council's capacity to work closely with local children and young people to understand, identify and prioritise actions that will drive change to generate improved system outcomes in the areas they identify as well as  food systems, physical activity and social connection.

What will we be doing?

A working group has been established to increase the reach and effectively utilise strengths. It comprises our staff and external partners who work with and have a direct interest in supporting young people.

Deakin has delivered systems thinking training as a core module of the project, which builds on previous systems thinking education. This training will also strengthen and develop capacity within council and external partners to:

• Authentically and meaningfully engage with children and young people
• Use a systems approach to guide development, prioritisation and implementation actions identified by children and young people

We will be working with children and young people aged 5-25.

Stage One of the project will involve workshops with young people to better understand the barriers they face and determine their priorities and potential solutions.

The following stages will involve working with children and young people to lead projects and actions based on the findings and previous work that has been done in this area.

A series of evidence-based health promotion modules will be available to support Council to implement action at the local level to create healthier communities for children and young people.  

The VicHealth Local Government Partnership health promotion modules will provide guidance to create policies, programs and processes for lasting changes in our community. The modules will support implementation and action following the workshops.

Where can I learn more about the project?

To learn more about the partnership project with VicHealth, visit the VicHealth website

View the VicHealth health promotion modules

If you would like to be involved, contact us.

FReeZA

FReeZA is an innovative youth development program that provides opportunities for young Victorians aged 12-25 across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria to enjoy live band gigs, dance parties and other cultural, recreational and artistic events that are drug, alcohol and smoke-free in supervised and safe venues.

Being part of the FReeZA committee is a chance to develop a broad range of skills organising events for young people. It will also build your self confidence, create and develop professional relationships, and provide opportunities to explore various education and employment pathways in the music industry.

FReeZA is an innovative youth development program providing young people between the ages of 12 and 25 with the opportunity to attend affordable and accessible events.

Join the East Gippsland FReeZA committee for 2023!

By participating in a local FReeZA committee you will be given the chance to make decisions and lead the staging of events, while also broadening networks within the community by connecting with local businesses, schools and other organisations.

Joining a FReeZA committee will also build your self-confidence, create and develop professional relationships, and provide opportunities to explore various education and employment pathways in the music industry.

The other types of events that you can also get involved with through your local FReeZA committee include staging of BMX/skate comps, hip-hop showcases, art and short-film competitions, DJ dance events, theatre productions and local community events, and music festivals and live band gigs - including this year's Battle of the Bands (see below).

We encourage applications from across the shire!

Apply to join the committee here.

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Battle  of the Bands 2023

We're looking for people aged 12-25 interested being a part of the Battle of Bands 2023 as a planner or performer.

Thanks to Council and the Victorian Government's FreeZA program, the East Gippsland Battle of the Bands is not just about having fun and making music, it’s also developing skills in areas such as performance, production and event management that can lead to exciting job opportunities

It will bring the community together, showcase upcoming artists and allow young people to network with local business owners - and it's open to all young people across East Gippsland.

Young people who are ready to rock the stage or help plan and deliver the event are asked to register their expression of interest at www.surveymonkey.com/r/BATTLE23.

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FUTURE PROOF: young people, disaster recovery and (re)building communities

Future Proof is a collective impact project led by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, bringing together eight local councils, two Aboriginal CCOs, two LLENs, and Victoria University to drive recovery outcomes for fire-affected young people and communities in Eastern Victoria.

Young people play a critical role in disaster recovery and in future-proofing fire-affected communities.

The Future Proof project brings the unique experiences, perspectives and capabilities of young people to the rebuilding of their communities. It recognizes the importance of place-based activities and youth work principles, ensuring engagement, support and training connects young people and delivers youth-led community recovery projects in a flexible way. Training opportunities are available for all young people 12 to 25 years in bushfire-affected areas, across East Gippsland and further afield, to build resilience locally for the future.

The project supports developing and sustaining local human infrastructure, through qualifications and industry linkages. Youth employment outcomes will be evident in emergency management and resilience, community services, youth development and mental health, which are vital for community-led recovery and resilience.

Included will be first aid, youth work, community services, emergency response and mental health first aid as part of a range of options providing the skills local communities need. Across East Gippsland, dedicated Council staff will source opportunities for young people to engage with qualification and employment pathways, along with other education and training.

With ongoing support from the Gippsland East LLEN and additional engagement opportunities from East Gippsland Shire Council, participants will feel supported throughout the program, gaining formal qualifications to ease the transition to employment.

For more information about Future Proof please contact Tara Wilson: taraw@egipps.vic.gov.au

This project is a partnership between East Gippsland Shire Council and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.

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Youth Ambassadors are a group of young people aged 12-25 living, studying and working across East Gippsland who are committed to create change in their community.

The Youth Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to influence, lead change and to assist Council in understanding the needs of young people.

Becoming a Youth Ambassador provides a platform for young people to discuss issues, create and lead projects for young people, have meaningful engagement with the established Council and have a say about the future of their community.  Their mission is to ensure young people are engaged and feel as valued citizens in the community.

Youth Ambassadors participate in free training and development opportunities, community consultations and events as well as develop and implement their own action plan with goals and ambitions they work towards achieving each year.

Youth Ambassador Terms of Reference

Youth Ambassador Action Plan 2022-23

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The East Gippsland Youth Art Prize 2023 is open to all people aged 12-25 who live, work or study in East Gippsland.

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The Youth Art Prize provides a platform for aspiring and emerging young creatives, aged 12-25 years to showcase their artistic talents.

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Artworks can include drawings, paintings, photographs, digital illustrations or 3D visuals and 2-3 minute films. Photographs of larger physical works will be accepted. Artists are free to choose their genre or medium, and entry is free.

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There will be cash prizes will be up for grabs, for winners and runners up in each age group.

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‍Note: Entries must be original works and there is a limit of one entry per artist.

Age categories are:
12 – 15 years
16 – 20 years
20 – 25 years  

Youth Art Prize entries open later this year.

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Winners

2021

12-15 Years

1st prize: Lily Rose Hall Krause, Confusion

2nd prize: Lily Nickless, La Rainetteverte et doree

3rd prize: Amity Phelan, Sunrise

16-20 Years

1st prize; Natasha Steed, Rantu’s Fury

2nd prize: Chole Boulton, A View from Baines Rd (2021 Flood)

3rd prize (joint winners): Chelsea Beechey, Floods at Forge Creek; and Annalise O'Neill, Gaia

20-25 Years

1st prize (joint winners): Chris Lanyon, Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share; Harley Kewish, 200826: leave your flowers.

3rd prize: Romy Robertson, ROT

In celebration of the Archibald Exhibition prize coming to the Gippsland Art Gallery at Sale, a special portraiture category was included for 2021.

Winner: Rheanna Williams, Image HUMAN.

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2020

20-25 Years

1st prize $300  Harley Kewish, Ode to the Anthropocene

16-20 Years

1st prize - Sinead MacDonell, Painting of My Sister

2nd prize (joint winners) Georgie Hausseger, Before the Storm; and Willow Wakefield Tromp, What's for Dinner?

12-15 Years

1st prize - Kierah Van Uden, The Little Things

2nd prize - Amirah Hayward, I Spy

3rd prize - Lily Nickless, Melting Moments

The Gippsland Youth Services Directory includes information and contact details for services and organisations that support young people and families across Gippsland.

Visit the Youth Services Directory website.

As part of the Outer Gippsland Future Proof Project, East Gippsland and Wellington shires are presenting the Emergency Management Filming Competition. Youth aged 12 to 25 years are encouraged to create and submit a short film to go in the running for some awesome prizes.

Films can be up to 3 minutes with the focus on experiences and community recovery from natural disasters such as, the Black Summer Bushfires, floods and droughts.

Films may be consolidated with the work of others to produce a short film series to share with the community. All filmmakers' works used in the short film series will be acknowledged.

Prizes‍

A cash prize pool of $2,000 will be split across age and content categories with judging from Council staff from the Community Programs, Recovery and Emergency Management teams.

Criteria of entry

Please read these terms and conditions of entry. It is assumed the entrant has read and accepted the terms and conditions of entry when they enter the competition:

1. Entry is open to young people aged 12-25 years who live or work in East Gippsland, including those young people who are studying in other areas

2. Must be your own creative work and be edited by you or another young person

3. Your film must be no longer than 3 minutes and can be filmed using any device

4. All the individuals in your film must have consented in writing to the use of their performances in the film

5. Your entry must be received no later than 5.00 pm on 31 July 2023

6. All judging decisions are final. Entrants will be informed if their entry has been successful on August 14

7. Video submissions may be used for future emergency management purposes.

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Film ideas that could be used

· Interview with someone who was involved/affected by a local disaster  

· Video timeline of before during and after events

· Anything related to recovery and resilience experiences.

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How to submit our entry
Once you have completed your video, follow the instructions on how to submit your entry.

Need assistance

For more details Chloe Peters, Youth Project Peer Support Officer on (03) 5153 8938 or via email: chloep@egipps.vic.gov.au