Media Releases
Young People Plan for a Bright Future
Media Release
Thursday 14 March, 2013
Young people will have a chance to contribute to the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy as part of a series of consultations being hosted by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic).
Through lively activity based conversations, young people will be encouraged to consider their aspirations for Melbourne as a whole and to reflect on the things they value about the suburbs where they live.
“The future economic and cultural vitality of Melbourne will be shaped by the choices that young people make about where they live, work and study”, said YACVic CEO Kate Colvin.
“It is vital that their ideas and experiences are taken into account as part of the planning process” Ms Colvin said.
Consultations will be held in Broadmeadows, Box Hill, Narre Warren, Melbourne CBD and online. Young people can get involved by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by checking out YACVic’s Facebook page.
These discussions will form part of the broader Plan Melbourne consultation and are funded by the Department of Planning and Community Development.
For further comment contact Kate Colvin on 0418 103 292.
Media requests to attend consultations will be considered.
YACVic member to represent State
12 December 2012
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria congratulates Youth Reference Group member Mel Jeffery on her appointment to the role of Victorian National Youth Week Young Member for 2013.
New Victorian research reveals challenges faced by young people 'dropping out' of school
A new research report on why many young Victorians struggle to stay at school should change the way that schools, community services and government approach education.
Grants promote health and equity for young people
YACVic welcomed the announcement today from Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge of the recipients of Round 2 of the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) Grants.
Introduction of Victorian Commission a key step toward improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people
22 October 2012
YACVic welcomes the impending introduction of a Victorian Commission for Children and Young People, announced today by Minister Wooldridge. Legislation will be introduced into Parliament shortly to establish this critical watchdog for the State.
Young people with disabilities are new force to be reckoned with
27 Septemeber 2012
Australia’s first ever National Youth Disability Conference has called for young people with disabilities to have their own national advocacy voice on vital issues like employment, education, sexuality and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Young people with disabilities to talk sex
25 September 2012
The National Youth Disability Conference will today focus on sex – in particular, the issues young people with disability face around sexuality.
More than 120 delegates from all over Australia are meeting in Melbourne for the final day of Australia’s first ever conference for young people with disabilities, and will put their call for action on a range of issues to Federal Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin.
Young people with disabilities call for end to systemic discrimination in schools
24 September 2012
News editors please note: The National Youth Disability Conference will hold a media conference at 1pm today at the Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne on the findings of a landmark Victorian human rights report on discrimination in the state’s schools.
New grants an opportunity for young people to shape their communities
19 September 2012
YACVic welcomes today’s announcement by Youth Minister Ryan Smith of Local Government Youth Inclusion Grants for rural and regional councils. www.youth.vic.gov.au
Late night public transport important for young people’s safety
10 September 2012
“Providing late public transport on Friday and Saturday nights will make the city safer for young people,” says Kate Colvin, Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) CEO.
Responding to news that CBD and inner city assaults are on the rise, Ms Colvin said “a sensible approach that focussed on the problem’s cause was needed.”
Innovation to mean more young people using parks
12 August 2012
YACVic welcomed the Minister for Youth Affairs and Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith’s announcement on World Youth Day today of the recipients of Y Discover Parks Youth Grants program.
The Y Discover Youth Grants aim to support innovative and creative programs that provide opportunities for young people aged 12 to 25 to become more active and involved in parks.
Focus on diversion a triumph of evidence led policy
6 August 2012
YACVic welcomes the Government’s discussion paper addressing the need for improved diversion approaches for young people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.
“The paper Practical lessons, fair consequences: improving diversion for young people in Victoria recognises the critical role that diversionary programs have been shown to play in reducing crime,” says Kate Colvin, YACVic chief executive officer.
More Gen Ys in Local Councils
27 July 2012 - Joint Media Release
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) have teamed up to host two interactive forums to encourage young people to get involved with local governments. The first session was held yesterday at the Melbourne Town Hall Council chambers.
The forums present the opportunity to have a conversation with young people about the role of local government and what it is like to be a young councillor.
Let us vote!
YACVic welcomes the news that lowering the voting age to 16 in Victoria is on the agenda today as the Youth Parliament of Victoria debate the topic in State Parliament.
YACVic CEO Kate Colvin said that the issue of lowering the voting age has been on the agenda for young people for a long time. “YACVic has pushed for the voting age to be lowered to 16 for many years. It is great to see that the issue is continuing to be pushed by young people who deserve to be heard directly through the right to vote”.
Initiatives for Young people in the budget
2 May 2012
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) welcomes the second budget from the Baillieu government.
“We are pleased that the Baillieu government has followed through with many of the recommendations from the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry and allocated $366 million in this budget to protect vulnerable children in Victoria”, said Georgie Ferrari, CEO YACVic.
Youth Statement a positive first step – actions across government now needed
23 April 2012
The Victorian Government’s Engage, Involve, Create Youth Statement Youth Statement is a positive first step in ensuring all young Victorians have healthy, active and fulfilling lives.
‘The Statement is a valuable step in focusing on the key areas for action to drive improved outcomes for young people,’ says Georgie Ferrari, YACVic CEO.
The Vulnerable Children Inquiry - a welcomed report for Victoria’s children and young people
1 March 2012
The release this week of the independent report into Victoria’s system for protecting vulnerable children and young people is a welcomed contribution to the improvement of the child protection system. The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) notes that the needs, experiences, rights and voices of vulnerable children and young people are at the heart of this inquiry.
Chaplaincy program should be re-designed to become a support program for schools
26 July 2011
The Federal Ombudsman‟s report into the administration of the National School Chaplaincy Program is a welcomed contribution to the debate around the chaplaincy program.
New Tougher Workplace Bullying Laws Welcome
5 April 2011
The Youth Affairs Council today welcomed amendments to legislation that will be introduced into the State Parliament to counter workplace bullying.
“Workplace bullying and harassment is a very serious issue” Council CEO, Georgie Ferrari said.
A budget that delivers on election promises
3 May 2011
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) today welcomed the first budget from the new Baillieu government.
“As we had hoped, the Baillieu government has kept its pre-election promises and delivered on its election commitments in this budget” YACVic CEO Georgie Ferrari said.
Young Victorians will benefit from many of the announcements made today.
Brumby’s Year 9 Experience fails the test
17 November 2010
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria has questioned the need for the Premier’s announcement of $208 million for a “life skills” program for year 9 students in government schools.
“The Government’s own research shows that most Victorian young people are faring well. The need for investment is with the young people who are most vulnerable, not with all year 9 students in Victoria,” said Georgie Ferrari, CEO, YACVic.
Charter report shows progress in youth participation but more work needs to be done
Wednesday, 1 March 2009
Victoria’s peak body in youth affairs, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) calls on the State Government to work harder to ensure your people’s rights to participate are realised. The rights of children and young people to participate are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Australia is a signatory.
Report reveals the impact of drought on young people in Victoria
August 10, 2008
Farmers and rural business are not the only ones suffering due to the drought. Young people in rural Victoria are facing increasing challenges to participate in educational, employment and training opportunities, a new report released today from the Youth Affairs Council and the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network reveals.
Putting rural youth issues on the agenda: launch of a new initiative
10 May 2011
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria and the Victorian Rural Youth Services network are excited to launch their new initiative to provide a stronger voice for young people and youth service providers in rural Victoria.
Budget spending on an Independent Commissioner for Victoria’s Children and Young Persons a significant step forward
3 May 2011
“Investment in an Independent Children and Young Persons Commissioner in today’s budget is a significant, welcomed step forward in protecting and promoting the interests of children and young people in Victoria” said Georgie Ferrari, CEO YACVic.
State election forum in Melbourne putting young people’s issues on the agenda
5 November 2010
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) and Youthlaw are hosting a youth election forum in the marginal seat of Melbourne in the lead up to the Victorian state election in late November.
State election forum in Morwell putting young people’s issues on the agenda
28 October 2010
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) and Youthlaw are hosting a youth election forum in the marginal seat of Morwell in the lead up to the Victorian state election in late November.
Improved pathways for vulnerable young people
22 September 2010
‘The Victorian Government’s Positive pathways for Victoria’s young people framework launched today is a significant first step in improving outcomes for young people in Victoria,’ says Carolyn Atkins, Deputy Director of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS).
Surveillance report describes discrimination against young people
31 August 2010
A new report from the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) and the School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University highlights that young people are particularly vulnerable to the abuse of powers in public surveillance practice and to being the target of policing to regulate behaviour in public spaces.
Regional blueprint sees welcomed investment in young people
16 June 2010
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria welcomes the significant investment in rural and regional young people by the Brumby Government.
Increased powers to Children’s Commissioner the way forward
24 July 2009
“The safety of children and young people in Victoria can be better protected by increasing the powers of our Child Safety Commissioner” said Georgie Ferrari, CEO of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic).
Premier’s Budget Announcement Misses the Mark for Young People
Tuesday 5 May 2009
In a budget that is largely silent on new investment for Victoria’s young people the
Premier has today announced $17.7m for a “Respect strategy” focusing on our youth.
The initiative, aimed at promoting “community respect” will see $9.3m put towards a
volunteering strategy that will encourage community participation, particularly among
young people.
National youth peak welcomed
Friday, 3 October 2008
Funding for a national youth peak body has been announced as part of an initiative by the Federal Government to establish the Australian Youth Forum.
“The announcement yesterday, from the Hon. Kate Ellis, Minister for Youth Affairs, of the Australian Youth Forum (AYF) has put young people’s issues back on the national map,” said Georgie Ferrari, CEO of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.
Report confirms regional disadvantage in tertiary study
18 August 2008
A report released today confirms that young students from rural and regional Victoria are disadvantaged when it comes to taking up their tertiary offers. The report, commissioned by 14 Local Learning Employment Networks (LLENs) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria found that in 2007, 15.7% of regional Victorian school completers deferred a place at university. This is two and a half times the rate of deferral found amongst metropolitan students.
A Voice for Young People at the Federal Level
14 May 2008
The 2008-09 Federal Budget includes long overdue investment in young people and the sector that supports them, and puts a much-welcome focus back on young people and the youth sector on the Federal Government’s agenda.
Victoria’s first-ever Code of Ethical Practice for youth workers
7 November 2007
Victoria’s youth workers will soon be able to draw from a Code of Ethical Practice, which will be launched at the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria’s (YACVic’s) annual general meeting tonight.
Forum reveals the impact of drought on young people in Victoria
19 June 2007
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) and the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network (NCLLEN) are hosting the Talking about the big dry: A forum for young people to discuss the impact of the drought on them and their communities.
Young people who graffiti say crack down approach wont work
Thursday 17 May 2007
Anti – graffiti legislation being proposed by the Victorian Government simply won’t work according to young graffiti artists interviewed by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.
Indigenous young people host day of celebration
30 November 2006
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from across Victoria are coming together on Saturday 2nd December to celebrate their culture at the ‘Yan Yean’ Gathering hosted by the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC). The VIYAC is a voluntary network of Indigenous young people under 25 from across the state.
Young people the focus at State Election forum
24 October 2006
Young people will have the opportunity to hold the politicians accountable in an Election forum to be hosted tomorrow by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria. Representatives from the major Parties in Victoria, including Jacinta Allan, Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, will present on their policies relating to young people and the youth sector at the Young People and the State Election: Rhetoric or reality? forum.
Indigenous young people’s voices heard, in the release of a new report
24 October 2006
The Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) will release tomorrow their report VIYAC VOICES: Telling it Like it is: Young Aboriginal Victorians on Culture, Identity and Racism.
New Youth Foundations give young people real opportunities
1 June 2006
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria strongly supports the State Government’s initiative to introduce 15 local Youth Foundations in disadvantaged areas across the State. The $4.5 million initiative was announced as part of the Government’s A Fairer Victoria next steps package today.
State Budget Remembers Victoria’s Young People
31 May 2006
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria has welcomed the 2006 State Budget, with its many initiatives for young Victorians.
“This is a budget that delivers in many areas for Victoria’s youth population” YACVic Executive Officer, Georgie Ferrari said today.
Gaps in youth support services put young people at risk
Friday 3 March 2006
Young people in Victoria are at risk of not receiving crucial support services when needed, due to gaps in generalist youth support services in Victoria. Two peak bodies, the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) have identified worrying gaps in support services to young people and are calling for Government to ensure young people's support needs are met.
Gaps in youth support services put young people at risk (2)
Friday 3 March 2006
Young people in Victoria are at risk of not receiving crucial support services when needed, due to gaps in generalist youth support services in Victoria. Two peak bodies, the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) have identified worrying gaps in support services to young people and are calling for Government to ensure young people's support needs are met.
Time for Batchelor to ‘Get On Track’
9 February 2006
URGENT investment is needed in public transport if Melbourne is to regain its title as World’s Most Liveable City, according to a new report to be released by the Coalition for People’s Transport today.
Loss of Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth
31 January 2006 - Letter to The Editor - The Age
Dear Sir
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria is very concerned at the Federal Government’s recent move to abolish the role of a Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth.
Young people already happily volunteer So Dont Force them
Opinion Piece - Georgie Ferrari
This is the original version of an opinion piece that appeared in the Herald Sun Newspaper on Tuesday January 10, 2006. The piece that appeared in the Herald Sun was edited slightly to fit word and space limitations.
Key Players on Youth Issue Word of Warning
14 December 2005
In response to the on-going violent race-based attacks in Sydney this week two of Victoria’s key players on youth issues have issued a word of warning. Carmel Guerra, Director of the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (CMYI) and Georgie Ferrari, Executive Officer of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) say that the media need to be careful not to apportion blame for the weekend's violence on young people.
