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This page is currently being updated. If you have any suggestions
for useful links please email info@yacvic.org.au.
Useful links
Arts, media and technology
Express Media: Based in Melbourne,
Express Media aims to provide young people with professional and
affordable access to Australia's artistic and media communities
with opportunities to participate in exhibitions, performances,
on-line projects, and various writing, media and arts projects.
Express Media's flagship project is the quarterly magazine Voiceworks,
the only national magazine dedicated to publishing the work of artists
and writers under 25. The magazine is written, edited and produced
entirely by young people. Website: http://www.expressmedia.org.au/
FReeZA: The FReeZA Program, a Victorian
Government initiative in partnership with Local Government and local
communities, was established in 1996 for people aged 12 to 25, and
targeting people aged 14-18. FReeZA provides the opportunity for
young Victorians to enjoy all ages live band gigs and dance parties
in drug and alcohol-free, supervised, safe and secure venues. FReeZA
events are organised and run by young people for young people. Website:
http://www.freeza.vic.gov.au/home.htm
Platform Youth Theatre: Strives
to create art of high calibre via a positive and empowering process.
For young people 16-26 who want to be involved in all aspects of
the performing arts. Website: http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/arts/platform.html
Streetwize Communications: Streetwize
is a bunch of illustrators, writers, researchers and educators who
create cool comics and other information stuff for young people.
Since 1984 they've tackled loads of social education issues that
affect young people including health, the law, education, employment,
housing and safety. Their projects are fun, informative, non-judgemental
and honest. They give you tips on what to do if you get into strife,
ideas about your future, information on your rights, and sometimes
- a bit of a laugh. Website: http://www.streetwize.com.au
St Martins Youth Theatre: Established
in 1980 as an initiative of the State Government through the Ministry
of the Arts, St Martins strives to empower young people within the
performing arts by initiating hands on projects, creative opportunities
and exposure to artists and artistic practices of the highest calibre.
Website: http://www.stmartinsyouth.com.au
Taking IT Global: Driven by young
people, TakingITGlobal's goal is to foster a sense of leadership
and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use of technology,
creating meaningful experiences for young people around the world.
In partnership with the Global Youth Action Network, they offer
recognition for youth action, and support for youth voice, through
several of GYAN's initiatives. Website: http://www.takingitglobal.org
The Push: The Push is a non-profit,
statewide youth entertainment organisation. It was established to
provide opportunities for young people to access affordable alcohol
free events and to have the option to participate in the life of
their local community. The Push is currently funded through the
Office for Youth Freeza Program. Website: http://www.thepush.asn.au
Vibewire: Vibewire.net is a non-profit
interactive web portal created for young people by young people.
It provides a broad range of content encompassing issues,
entertainment and resources. It empowers young people to create,
discuss and participate in their own culture. Website:
http://www.vibewire.net.
Consumer and finance
The Financial and Consumer Rights Council:
A not-for-profit, membership-based organisation which works to ensure
that all people, particularly low income and vulnerable consumers,
have access to fair treatment as consumers in the market place.
Website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fcrc/
Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria:
Government website with information on consumer rights. Website:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
Discrimination, racism and diversity
The Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria:
Responsible for eliminating discrimination in Victoria. The EOCV
offers information, training and education programs, conduct research
and provide legal and policy advice. They also
provide free and impartial complaint resolution services. Website:
http://www.eoc.vic.gov.au
Racism No Way: A website project
which aims to assist school communities and education systems to
recognise and address racism in the learning environment. Website:
http://www.racismnoway.com.au
Yoghurt-lotsofculture: A forum for
young Australians of diverse cultures working for human rights and
social justice. Website: http://www.yoghurt-lotsofculture.com
Disability issues
Disability Information Victoria:
Information on services for people with disabilities in Victoria.
Website: http://www.disabilityinfo.org.au/
Victorian Council of Deaf People:
Represents and supports the deaf community in Victoria. Website:
http://www.deaf-vic.org.au/
Victorian Service for Deaf Children:
VSDC provides specialised services for deaf and hearing impaired
children, young people, and their families. Website:
http://www.vsdc.org.au/
Employment, education and training
On Track: A Victorian Government
initiative designed to help young people plan their future and achieve
their education, training and employment goals. It aims to provide
young people with access to ongoing support as they make the transition
from school into further education and training or into the workforce.
Website: http://www.llen.vic.gov.au/llen/ontrack/default.htm
Local Learning and Employment Networks:
LLENs bring together local education providers, local employers,
local councils and other interested people in their community to:
identify gaps in the provision of education and training locally;
plan the development and delivery of educational programs for young
people; take a strategic approach to developing pathways for local
young people, especially those at risk of dropping out; monitor
these pathways and outcomes to ensure they are beneficial to young
people and; advise the new Victorian Learning and Employment Skills
Commission (VLESC) on the needs of young people in their area. Website:
http://www.llen.vic.gov.au
Job Watch: A community legal centre
specialising in employment law established in 1980 to work towards
the abolition of exploitation in employment. Job Watch operates
a free and confidential statewide telephone information and referral
service for employees in Victoria. The hours of operation of the
phone service are Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (except Tuesdays
12 noon to 2 pm), and Wednesday evening 6 pm to 8 pm. The phone
numbers are 9662 1933 or 1800 33 1617 for regional callers. Job
Watch also operates a casework practice, community education program
and undertakes campaign activities on employment law/industrial
relation issues. Website: http://www.job-watch.org.au
Unistudent.com: Incorporating the
National Union of Students website, Unistudent.com provides information,
support and advice to Australian uni students and prospective students.
Website: http://www.unistudent.com
Victorian Secondary Students Network:
The VSSN was set up early in 2001 at the 'Paving the Way' conference
in Ballarat, sponsored by the Education Trust Victoria Limited.
At the conference 200 Victorian State Secondary students unanimously
voted to establish the VSSN. The Office for Youth is currently working
with the VSSN to develop the network. It is anticipated the network
will provide a 'voice for youth' in terms of issues directly affecting
schools. Website: http://www.youth.vic.gov.au/youth/vssn/default.htm
Boomerang Magazine: An online magazine
for international students in Australia. Website:
http://www.boomerangmagazine.com.au
Environmentalism
Youth Environment Society: YES is
a youth-run, not for profit, multifaceted, community-based project
designed to enable youth to make a difference regarding environmental
issues. Website: http://www.yesworld.org.au
Friends of the Earth: FoE is a federation
of autonomous local groups operating under an agreed set of principles.
They deal with environmental and social justice issues. Website:
http://www.foe.org.au/
Government
Office for Youth: The Office for
Youth gives Victoria's young people a strong voice and a real input
into government policy and program development. Office for Youth
initiatives encourage consultation and support for young people,
recognising that Victoria's youth are a diverse and dynamic group
who make a valuable contribution to the community. Website: http://www.youth.vic.gov.au
The Source: This is the Federal
Government's youth website and provides a range of information about
National Youth Week, Youth Round Tables, Youth Media Awards and
more. Website: http://www.thesource.gov.au/
Youthcentral: A one-stop-shop for
information about government and community services, organisations,
programs and events for young people aged 12 to 25. It also provides
a way for young people – wherever they live in Victoria –
to have a way of connecting to the information and services provided
by the State Government. Website: http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Health
Centre for Adolescent
Health (VIC):
The Centre for Adolescent Health aims to improve the health of young
people, through research, health promotion, education, training,
advocacy and clinical services. Website: http://www.copas.net.au/cah
New South Wales Association for Adolescent
Health: The peak youth health organisation for NSW representing
the 15 Youth Health Services across NSW as well as a large membership
of organisations and individuals committed to youth health issues.
Their website is aimed at people working in the youth health sector
and those with a passion for youth health issues. Website: http://www.naah.org.au
Somazone: Somazoneis an interactive
website developed by young people for young people. Somazone provides
an online question and answer service that provides information
on sexual, general and mental health, drugs, body image, relationships
and harassment. Young people can also submit personal stories, play
games and find health services. Website: http://www.somazone.com.au
The Country AIDS Network: CAN is
the peak statewide organisation representing rural interests. Its
aim is to be a resource for people HIV affected or infected, for
professionals and lay workers alike in country Victoria. Website:
http://www.can.org.au
OxyGen: This website aims to provide
young people with information on the impact of tobacco and to promote
healthy lifestyle choices. It was created and funded by the South
Australian Smoking and Health Project, Smarter than Smoking Project
(WA) and Quit Victoria. Website: http://www.oxygen.org.au/
Housing
Council to Homeless Persons: Working
to eliminate homelessness, the Council to Homeless Persons seeks
a fair go for people who are homeless. The Council has a membership
of approximately 200, consisting of most homeless persons agencies
in Victoria. Website: http://www.chp.org.au
Tenants Union Victoria: A site for
residential tenants living in Victoria who require information on
their legal rights and community resources. Website:
http://www.tuv.org.au/
Indigenous
Australian Stars: Students that
Action Reconciliation Seriously aim to bring hope for a unified
Australia that honours the indigenous people of the land. Website:
http://www.australianstars.com.au/
DULIN: Dulin Incorporated is one
of Victoria's newest and most exciting Indigenous organisation to
be established. The service focuses on mentoring as an instrument
to empower Indigenous young people to develop life, educational
and employment plans. Dulin is created especially for Indigenous
young people, aged between 13 years and 18 years of age. The Schools
Mentoring Program aims to support young Indigenous students as they
begin to develop their life goals.
Young people are matched with a suitable and trained mentor, who
can assist them to identify potential career options. Dulin offers
intensive support at a time when young people begin to make critical
decisions about their future.
http://www.dulin.com.au
The Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory
Council: VIYAC is a newly established forum committed to
providing a voice in government for young Indigenous Victorians.
For more info check out their brochure here (PDF
file 330k).
Information resources
The Australian Clearinghouse for Youth
Studies: ACYS provides information products and services
for those working in the youth field and for anyone with an interest
in youth. This includes practitioners in areas such as health and
education, researchers, policy-makers, youth workers and youth service
providers, as well as students and parents.
Website: http://www.acys.utas.edu.au
Youth Research Centre: Part of the
University of Melbourne the Youth Research Centre aims to identify
local, national and international research issues relevant to young
people and conduct appropriate, relevant and useful research that
addresses these issues. Website: http://yarn.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/yrc/home.html
Legal info
Lawstuff: The website with a bunch
of stuff about legal rights for people under 18. Website:
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/
Youthlaw: Youthlaw, a young peoples
legal right service, is the first specialist young people's community
legal centre in Victoria. Website: http://www.youthlaw.asn.au/
Victoria Police: Victoria Police
is committed to a number of programs that encourage young people
to avoid drugs and gangs, stay in school, and contribute positively
to society. Website: http://www.police.vic.gov.au
Department of Justice: Website of
the Victorian Government's Department of Justice. Website:
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/
Mental health
Reach Out!: A service that uses
the Internet to help young people get through tough times. Developed
in response to Australia's unacceptably high rates of youth suicide
and attempted suicide, Reach Out! provides much-needed information,
assistance and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.It
offers an anonymous and stigma-free way to get help, explore issues
and to discover how other young people have got through difficult
times. Website: http://www.reachout.com.au
Kids Help Line: Kids Help Line free
call 1800 55 1800 is a national telephone counselling service for
young people aged 5 to 18 years - it is free, anonymous and confidential.
Website: http://www.kidshelp.com.au
Ybblue: is a youth program of beyondblue.
Ybblue is depression awareness campaign designed by young people
for young people, their family and friends. The main message of
Ybblue is look for the warning signs that someone is not travelling
well, listen to them, talk and seek help together. Website: http://www.ybblue.com.au
Multiculturalism
Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues:
The Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (CMYI) is a statewide
community-based organisation that aims to strengthen and build innovative
partnerships between young people, support services and the community
to enhance life opportunities for young people from culturally and
linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds. Website: http://www.cmyi.net.au
Privacy issues
Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner:
http://www.privacy.vic.gov.au
Health Services Commissioner Office:
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc
Participation
See our page on youth
participation
Rural
Reversing the Drift: YACVic's solutions
summit for young people and workers with young people in rural and
regional Victoria held in Shepparton on May 9 and 10, 2002. Website:
http://www.yacvic.org.au/reversing
Rural Women's Network: Works with
rural Australian women and their families, addressing issues, concerns,
and needs. Website: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/rwn/
Sexuality
Minus18: Australia's first and only
underage nightclub dance party for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender youth aged under 18. Minus18 is an initiative of PFLAG
Victoria and is primarily formed to provide safe, friendly events
for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender underage youth of
Victoria. Website: http://www.minus18.org
Mogenic: A special place on the
net where gay and lesbian youth have the freedom to exchange ideas,
share experiences, discuss coming out, make friends, read interesting
content and most importantly: make contact. Website: http://www.mogenic.com
Sport
Sport and Recreation Victoria: The
Victorian Government’s sport web portal. Tip: This site has
some useful information on programs for indigenous young people
and sport. Go to http://www.sport.vic.gov.au
and do a key word search for “indigenous”.
Social services
The Victorian Council of Social Services:
VCOSS is the peak body representing organisations and individuals
involved in the field of social and community service in Victoria.
Website: http://www.vcoss.org.au
Brotherhood of St Laurence: The
vision of the Brotherhood of St Laurence is for an Australia free
of poverty. Website: http://www.bsl.org.au
St. Luke's: A social work agency
providing diverse human services throughout North-Central Victoria,
including youth services. Social justice and community development
are agency priorities . Website: http://www.stlukes.org.au
Try Youth and Community Services: Try
Youth & Community Services is a not-for-profit, non denominational
organisation which conducts or sponsors youth and community service
programmes throughout Victoria. Website:
http://www.tryyouth.org.au
Berry Street Victoria: An independent
child and family welfare organisation, with services in metropolitan
and country Victoria. Website: http://www.berrystreet.org.au
Frontyard: A one-stop shop of services
for young people. A unique team of independent services provides
free health, legal, accommodation, income support, computers and
Internet, employment training and family reconciliation services
at an easily accessible location between Flinders Street and Spencer
Street stations. Website: http://www.mcm.org.au/youthnet
or http://www.frontyard.org
The Community Child Care Association:
An independent non profit organisation which operates as a training,
resource, advisory and advocacy body for Children's Services in
Victoria. Website: http://www.cccinc.com.au
Open Family: Open Family's work
is based on the street. Their aim is to improve the well-being and
self-worth of alienated and excluded Australian children, with the
view to reconnecting them with the community. Website:
http://www.openfamily.com.au
Substance use
Australian Drug Information Network:
ADIN searches more than 1040 Australian and international drug and
alcohol web sites. All of these sites have been reviewed by experienced
drug and alcohol professionals ensuring reliable information. Another
useful ADIN feature is visitors to the site can register favourite
search topics and receive a weekly update of new and updated web-pages
in the area of interest making it easy for professionals to keep
up to date. Website: http://www.adin.com.au
DrugInfo Clearinghouse: The DrugInfo
Clearinghouse is an invaluable resource for those with an interest
in drug prevention. This site is packed with free drug and alcohol
publications across a range of topics including drink spiking and
binge drinking. Many of these are great time savers such as reading
& resources lists and research summaries. Members receive regular
information updates, including the monthly DrugInfo newsletter,
the latest fact sheets, email alerts, and up-to-date prevention
research. Membership is free - just follow the link - http://druginfo.adf.org.au/membership/.
Website: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au
Youth Substance Abuse Service: YSAS
provides drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and
21 who are experiencing significant problems related to their drug
use . Central to their approach to service delivery is the concept
and practice of providing a supportive relationship with the young
person. Drug use is only one aspect of the young person’s life and
must be addressed in the context of social and personal development,
in an environment of trust. Website: http://www.ysas.org.au
Odyssey Victoria: Odyssey aims to
facilitate the journey from misuse of drugs and alcohol to abstinence.
It acknowledges that any continued reduction in use of drugs and
alcohol reduces harm suffered by the individual and the community.
Website: http://www.odysseyvictoria.org.au
Violence
Centre Against Sexual Assault:
CASAs are government-funded organisations which work against sexual
assault. The services that CASAs offer are free and available to
all victim/survivors. They are based on respecting the rights of
all victims/survivors of sexual assault. Website:
http://www.casa.org.au
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors
of Torture (VFST): A rehabilitation centre established in
1987 to meet the needs of people in Victoria who were tortured or
traumatised in their countries of origin, in other countries, or
while fleeing those countries. It is non-denominational, politically
neutral and non-aligned. Website: http://www.survivorsvic.org.au
The Victorian Community Council Against
Violence: VCCAV is committed to working with the Victorian
community to reduce violence in our society. Website:
http://www.vccav.vic.gov.au
Young women
YWCA Victoria: The YWCA is a diverse,
international network of women who create opportunities for growth,
leadership and empowerment of women in their communities. Website:
http://www.ywca.net
Office of Women's Policy: Aims to
continually improve outcomes for all Victorian women through effective
Government policies, practices and programs. Website:
http://www.women.vic.gov.au/
Young men
YMCA: The YMCA works in community-based
health and recreation programs, child care, training, youth development
and international work. Website: http://www.ymca.org.au/
Youth Peak Bodies
Youth Affairs Network of Tasmania (YNOT):
http://www.ynot.org.au
Youth Action and Policy Association NSW
(YAPA): http://www.yapa.org.au
Northern Territory Youth Affairs Network
(NTYAN): i.oreilly@darcity.nt.gov.au
(email only)
Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia
(YACWA): http://www.yacwa.org.au
Youth Affairs Council of South Australia
(YACSA): Website http://www.yacsa.com.au
Youth Coalition ACT: Website:
http://www.youthcoalition.net/
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