Annual Report 2014-15 Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 1
Contents 03 Chairpersons’ Report
19
Participation
04 CEO’s Report
21
Marketing and Communications
06 About YACVic
23 Victorian Rural Youth Services (VRYS)
07 Organisational Structure
27 Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
08 Meet the Team
29 Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC)
09 Vale Madeleine Sobb
34 Koorie Youth Council (KYC)
10
Membership
36 Youth Mentoring
11
Organisational Members 2014-15
38 Finance Report
14
Board of Governance
44 Where We’ve Been
15
Youth Sector Development
45
16
Policy and Research
Thank You
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 2
Chairpersons’ Report
We are proud to present to our valued YACVic members the Annual Report for 2014-2015. The past 12 months have seen significant change once again across the youth, education and employment sectors and these changes have had direct impact on many of our members, local communities and most of all our young people. These changes are taking our sectors, our work and our current and future impacts into a new world of working, planning, thinking and doing. When we consider shifts in systems and in economies, many of our members have been a part of a momentous repositioning – a paradigm shift – that is creating a new future opportunity for the work we all do.
A strong peak body is therefore critical to the strength and success of the youth sector and a Victorian community in which young people: are engaged in community, education and employment; are respected as valued members of our communities; and have opportunities to lead and succeed. YACVic has worked over the past 12 months on its Strategic Plan (2016-2019) and continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the realm of youth participation. We look forward to the opportunities to work again with members, communities and our young people as the new Strategic Plan rolls out. YACVic has an incredibly dynamic, skilled and passionate team of professionals, led by CEO Georgie Ferrari. On behalf of the Board of Governance, we would like to thank and applaud Georgie and her team for their tireless work over the past 12 months and for positioning the organisation as one of strength, capacity and leadership as a peak body. Underpinning this work are YACVic’s countless volunteers, who give so generously of their time to support YACVic and its members, without whom so much of our success would not have been possible. In particular, we would like to thank the commitment and dedication of the
Youth Reference Group (YRG), the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) and the Board of Governance. We look toward the next 12 months with great anticipation for the growth of advocacy, research, policy, youth participation and youth sector development across our State of Victoria.
The recognition of young people’s human rights underpins everything that we do.
Louisa Ellum Co-Chair
Morgan Lee Cataldo Co-Chair
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 3
CEO’s Report provided the chance for us to hear from youth service providers on issues of concern. Over the 10 meetings we held we met with 530 workers. The information we gained from these sessions was invaluable to us and informed a number of our submissions including our work on rate capping and the reforms to the Jobs Services Australia program. YACVic was also asked by the Office for Youth to develop a series of case studies on best practice in youth advisory groups. These were developed late last year and early this year, and can be found on our website.
It gives me great pleasure to present YACVic’s 2014–15 Annual Report, my 13th as CEO for this great organisation. Change and opportunity would be good words to describe the last 12 months. We began the financial year embarking on a 10-meeting series of events with local government youth services across the state. These meetings were a mixture of short professional development opportunities, and
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 4
As many of you would be aware, for the last few years YACVic auspiced and supported the work of the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA). Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, funding for the VYMA ran out in 2014 and the service had to be wound up. YACVic was, however, successful in gaining some philanthropic funding from The William Buckland Foundation to develop a website that holds all of the products and information that were developed by the VYMA over the years. The Youth Mentoring Hub is an excellent legacy for the VYMA’s vital work. YACVic continues to advocate for the establishment of some of the vital functions of the VYMA. We are hopeful that there will be some support for these functions in the future.
2014 was an election year and as with each election YACVic put together an election platform, asking all parties to put young people and the sector that supports them front and centre in their election promises in the lead-up to the state election. We also held an election forum where the sector could hear directly from some key candidates with an interest in the youth affairs portfolio. The change in government in late 2014 saw a change in approach to the government’s engagement with YACVic. We were able to renegotiate several elements of our work plan to enable us to re-orient our work back towards policy advice, research and advocacy for young people and the sector that supports them. As a consequence, the second half of this financial year has seen a greater focus on providing evidence-based advice to government on a range of policy issues, including: The Royal Commission into Family Violence; The Victorian Government VET Funding Review; The Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020; and The McClure Report into welfare reform. More recently, much of our focus has been on providing advice on the Education State reforms and the newly announced State Government Youth Policy.
CEO’s Report cont... In May of this year YACVic was delighted that the Minister for Youth announced a boost in funding for YACVic to establish offices in two regional locations. Building on our previous work to advocate for rural and regional youth services and to provide training to both young people and youth services outside of metropolitan Melbourne, establishing a presence in two regional locations will ensure this important work continues. We are very grateful to the Minister for Youth for this investment. YACVic is relishing the opportunity to work at the regional level in two locations outside of Melbourne, the locations for which will be announced very soon. YACVic continues to provide support and auspice arrangements for the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) and the Koori Youth Council (KYC). Both organisations have gone from strength to strength in the last year. VicSRC celebrated 10 years of operation in 2015. They received a boost in their funding and held many well-run and successful events. KYC continued to promote the voice of Aboriginal young people into government policy making, consolidating their relationships broadly across government including with the justice and education areas. KYC also held a highly successful Koori Youth Summit in 2015. The only direct service delivery that YACVic is involved in is the Youth Disability Advocacy service (YDAS). YDAS enjoyed yet another strong year. As the only advocacy service in Australia for
young people with disabilities, increasingly YDAS is called on to represent youth disability issues at both a state and a national level. YACVic continues to partner with the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) to co-manage the Youth Referral and Independent Persons Project, providing independent persons to support young people in police interviews where a parent or guardian cannot attend. In the last financial year YRIPP has supported young people at over 3500 police interviews. This partnership with CMY continues to be a vital one and YRIPP is an incredibly valued and important program. YACVic embarked on a strategic planning process this year, in preparation for a new plan for 2016. This process, involving consultations, discussions and reflections with many key stakeholders has confirmed for me that YACVic continues to be a well-respected, much-needed and valued part of the youth services system in Victoria. I am grateful for the input and advice our valued members and stakeholders gave us in the development of our new strategic plan, and I hope you see your feedback reflected in the final document.
The Board, Policy Advisory Group and the Youth Reference Group each put in countless hours of volunteer time to make our organisation truly reflective of its membership. I am indebted to all of you, but particularly in the last 12 months, to the leadership of Co-Chairs Louisa Ellum and Morgan Cataldo. Your guidance and advice throughout the year has been so valued and appreciated. YACVic turned 55 this year: not so young in years any more you might say but still with a great deal of youthful enthusiasm and optimism for the work ahead!
Georgie Ferrari CEO
Finally, a word of thanks to both the paid and unpaid talent that makes YACVic the awesome organisation that it is. Our staff team is such a talented, dedicated, smart and hard-working bunch of people, I am often lost for words when I think about how lucky I am to work in and with such a great team.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 5
About YACVic Our Vision Young Victorians have their rights upheld and are valued as active participants in their communities.
Our Mission YACVic will work in partnership with young people, the Victorian youth sector and our partner agencies to achieve this vision by: yy advocating on issues that affect young people and the sector that supports them yy supporting young people’s participation and self-advocacy yy supporting and resourcing youth workers and other professionals who work with young people.
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Who we are YACVic is governed by a volunteer board and managed by a paid secretariat. We are a not-forprofit, member-driven organisation with our core funding coming from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office for Youth. YACVic auspices and supports various projects, including the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS), the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC), the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC), and the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP).
Organisational Structure Policy Advisory Group (PAG) 6-15 positions
nominate
appoint
members
advise
Board of Governance up to eight positions including four young people
elect
appoint
nominate
governs
Chief Executive Officer
manages
Secretariat
advise
Youth Reference Group (YRG) 6-15 positions
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Meet the Team Left to right from top: Georgie Ferrari, YACVic CEO; Leo Fieldgrass, Manager of Participation and Development; Dr Jessie Mitchell, Manager of Policy and Projects; Joanna Hatcher, Victorian Rural Youth Services Manager; Liz Leahy, Office and Events Coordinator; Catalina Sinclair, Communications Officer; Ian Johnson, Finance Officer; Krista Seddon, VicSRC Manager; Fiona Campbell, VicSRC Communications Officer; Emma Myers, VicSRC Project Officer; Dr George Taleporos, YDAS Manager; Sarah Forbes, YDAS Human Rights Advocate; Greg Kennedy, KYC Manager; Elisha Douglas, KYC Project Officer; Sophie Breheny, VicSRC Administration Support.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 8
Vale Madeleine Sobb On Friday 22 May 2015 we sadly lost our much-loved friend and colleague Madeleine Sobb after a short illness. Madeleine worked at YACVic as the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) project officer from 2014, having joined the YDAS steering committee in 2011. She had a strong sense of social justice, which saw her head up the first ever National Youth Disability Conference in 2012 as the conference coordinator. This was a massive endeavour and demonstrated Madeleine’s impressive talents and her passion for raising youth and disability issues on a national stage. Madeleine also became well known for holding an Australian airline to account over their discriminatory practices towards people with disabilities with a disability discrimination complaint and a social media campaign that forced the airline to improve accessibility. In 2014 Madeleine also headed up the protest against the axing of ABC Ramp Up, a national platform for disability news and opinion which was edited by Madeleine’s close personal friend, the late Stella Young.
Project Officer, Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS); youth and disability activist; fearless advocate; horse rider; milliner.
Madeleine will be remembered as a fearless advocate for disability rights and her work to increase the social recognition and political representation of young people with disabilities. Her kindness and generosity to others was felt by all who knew her as well as her determination and pragmatism that saw things get done, and her fabulous sense of style and flair. On behalf of the YDAS staff, steering committee and the YACVic staff and board, our heartfelt condolences go out to her partner Jarrod, her parents Tom and Margaret, her sisters Emilie and Julia, her soon-to-be brother-in-law Paul and to her many friends who loved her as we did. She will be very sadly missed. Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 9
Membership Organisational members
35
Youth members Individual members
137
142
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 10
Additional Member
2
Associate Member
2
Individual Concession
8
Individual Member
27
Local Government Metro
23
Local Government Rural/Regional 27 Organisation D $1–500K
20
Organisation E $500k–1M
14
Organisation F $1M plus
38
Reciprocal
15
Under 25
128
VicSRC Executive Member
9
Youth led
1
TOTAL MEMBERS
314
Organisational Members 2014–15 Ardoch Youth Foundation
Benalla Rural City Council
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
Association for Children with a Disability
Berry Street ALEXANDRA
Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
Berry Street EAGLEMONT
City of Ballarat
Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS)
Berry Street RICHMOND
City of Boroondara – Youth Services
Brimbank City Council
City of Casey
Brophy Family & Youth Services Inc
City of Darebin
Brotherhood of St Laurence
City of Greater Bendigo
Campaspe Cohuna LLEN
City of Greater Dandenong
Capital City LLEN
City of Greater Geelong - Youth Development Unit
Cardinia Shire Council
City of Kingston
Castlemaine District Community Health
City of Melbourne
Central Goldfields Shire Council
City of Monash
Central Grampians LLEN
City of Port Phillip
Central Ranges LLEN
City of Whittlesea
Central Victorian PCP
City of Wodonga
Australian Drug Foundation Australian Red Cross Victoria Banyule City Council Banyule Community Health Banyule Nillumbik LLEN Barwon Adolescent Task Force Barwon Medicare Local/headspace Barwon Bass Coast Shire Council Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN Bayside City Council Bayside Glen Eira Kingston LLEN
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Organisational Members 2014-15 cont... City of Yarra
Golden Plains Shire Council
Maroondah City Council
Cobaw Community Health
Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service Inc.
Melbourne City Mission
Community College Gippsland
Grampians Community Health Centre
Melton Shire Council
Connect Student Magazine
headspace Central West Gippsland
Mildura Rural City Council
Connections UnitingCare
Highlands LLEN
Mission Australia
CREATE Foundation
Hiphopportunities For Youth Inc
Mitchell Shire Council
Dandenong Christian Reformed Group
Hobsons Bay City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
DOXA Youth Foundation
Hume City Council – Youth Services
Moorabool Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Hume Whittlesea LLEN
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
E-Focus
Inner Eastern LLEN
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Express Media
Inner Northern LLEN
Murrindindi Shire Council
Family Access Network Inc
Jesuit Social Services
Neami National
Federation Uni Australia
Kids Under Cover
NESAY
FMPLLEN Inc
Kildonan UnitingCare
Nillumbik Shire Council – Youth Service
Foundation for Young Australians
Knox Youth Services
North Central LLEN
Gannawarra Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
North East LLEN
Geelong Performing Arts Centre
MacKillop Family Services
North Richmond Community Health Centre
Geelong Region LLEN
Manningham YMCA Inc
Northern District Community Health Service
Glenelg Shire Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Quantum Support Services
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 12
Organisational Members 2014-15 cont... Reach Foundation
Time For Youth Inc
Youth Coalition of the ACT
RMIT
UN Youth Victoria
Youth Connect
Rural City of Wangaratta
University of Melbourne - Library
Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT)
Salvation Army – Crossroads/Youth & Family Services
Upper Yarra Community House Inc
Youth Projects Ltd
Victoria Police Force
Youthlaw
Victoria University - Youth Studies
YSAS Pty Ltd
Scouts Victoria Shire of Campaspe Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services South Gippsland Shire Council South Port Community Housing Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre St Kilda Youth Service Inc St Lukes Anglicare State Library of Victoria Stonnington Youth Services Strathbogie Shire Council Swan Hill Rural City Council The Salvation Army - Eastcare The Salvation Army - Karinya
Victorian Blue Light State Council Inc Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
* Please note that for privacy reasons YACVic does not publish details of individual members.
Victorian Trades Hall Council Volunteering Victoria Warrnambool City Council WAYSS Ltd Wellington Shire Council YMCA Victoria
YACVic would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our members for their ongoing support.
Youth Action Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA) Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ)
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 13
Board of Governance Left to right from top: Louisa Ellum – Co chair, Morgan Lee Cataldo – Co chair, David Anderson – Treasurer, Khan Churchill, Harald Klein, Kerrie Loveless, Lucas Ryan, Paul Turner, Sarah Luttrell – Young Media Spokesperson. Not pictured: Dean Barnett, James Campbell, Jan Farrell.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 14
Youth Sector Development Presentations for tertiary students
Code of Ethical Practice training
In 2014-15, YACVic presented its work to over 320 tertiary youth work, social work, community services, sociology and other students, from: ++ Australian Catholic University ++ Chisholm TAFE ++ Holmesglen TAFE ++ Praxis ++ RMIT University ++ Swinburne University ++ Tabor College ++ University of Melbourne ++ Victoria University.
YACVic delivered training on the Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian youth sector to over 110 youth support workers and volunteers from: ++ Bayside City Council Youth Service ++ City of Glen Eira Youth Service ++ City of Kingston Youth Service ++ City of Port Phillip Youth Network ++ City of Yarra Youth Services ++ Praxis ++ St Kilda Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC) ++ VicSRC Congress.
‘Failure to disclose’ training
Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) Service training
YACVic partnered with Youthlaw to provide two interactive information sessions for over 40 people on new ‘failure to disclose’ laws and mandatory reporting.
YACVic partnered with YoDAA to provide the Victorian youth sector with better access to alcohol and other drug (AOD) awareness and training, including via a workshop at the June 2015 Statewide LGA Forum.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 15
Policy and Research It has been another full and busy year for YACVic in the policy and research space. We consulted with the sector, made submissions to state and federal inquiries and reform processes, and supported a well-informed youth sector through YACVic’s LGA youth services forums. We were active in the lead-up to the October 2014 election, advocating to candidates from all parties to take action in areas including youth employment, mental health, housing and education engagement. YACVic hosted a candidates’ forum, where the Hon. Martin Foley and Colleen Hartland answered policy questions from young people and youth sector representatives, and we kept the sector up to date with electoral developments via our media releases, social media and election platform. In the first state budget of the Andrews Government, YACVic was pleased to see a number of positive new undertakings in areas where we had been advocating for some time. These included $5.9M over four years to support the mental health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and sex/gender diverse young people (continuing the valuable work of the HEY Project); a new injection of $8M to support young people’s community engagement, including setting up
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two regional YACVic offices; a large increase in Child Protection and Family Services funding; and an emphasis on vocational education and training (VET) pathways for young people. Reforms to VET are of strong interest to YACVic’s members, and we made written and verbal submissions to Victoria’s VET Funding Review, where we highlighted the need to re-engage vulnerable young people in VET pathways that lead to meaningful work and positive community outcomes. We noted the disproportionate harm caused to young people by the rising costs of some VET options; the marketing practices of unscrupulous RTOs; the loss of student support capacity in TAFEs; and the targeting of funding away from courses where early school leavers and young women have traditionally congregated. Marginalised young people can benefit greatly from support to build core skills and become ‘work ready’. To this end, YACVic has continued to work with VCOSS and Youth Connections stakeholders to advocate for an education reengagement model for young people at risk of early school leaving. Another policy priority area for the Andrews Government is family violence. YACVic made a
detailed submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, highlighting the need to consider young people as a specific cohort affected by violence, as victims, perpetrators and witnesses. Our submission made 34 recommendations in areas including respectful relationships education in schools; access to affordable, age-appropriate housing; adequate wellbeing staff for schools; support for teachers and youth services workers to identify and respond to disclosures of violence; expert support for schools, police and services to deal with the impacts of pornography on young people’s relationships; and supported pathways for families experiencing adolescent violence in the home. Meanwhile, YACVic’s team worked closely together during 2014-15 to host a series of forums for LGA youth services around Victoria. One priority of these sessions was keeping the youth sector up to date with recent policy developments and research. YACVic spoke about state budget items and engaged speakers to present on a wide range of topics, including young people’s risk and protective factors, family violence, youth employment, working in partnership, and countering extremism.
Policy and Research cont... The cutting of federal funding to the national youth peak, the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), has increased expectations that state peaks will conduct research and advocacy on national issues. To this end, we worked with our AYAC and interstate colleagues to provide detailed commentary for the youth sector on the federal budget. We also responded to the Australian Government Department of Employment’s Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020. While we welcomed some proposed reforms, such as a regional loading for employment providers outside of capital cities, we also raised deep concerns about young people’s access to income support, the moves towards large, generalist employment services providers, and the question of how young people are ‘streamed’ for employment support. As always, YACVic stressed the need to assist young people to become ‘work ready’ and access meaningful employment, rather than punishing them for the shortage of entry points into the labour market. Similarly, YACVic worked with the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) to advocate for access to meaningful employment and income support for young people, especially those with disabilities. In response to the Final Report into the Review of Australia’s Welfare System (the ‘McClure Report’), YACVic and YDAS welcomed
the proposal for a comprehensive Jobs Plan for people with disabilities and a ‘passport to work’. However, we opposed the report’s proposal to raise the ‘age of independence’ (after which young people can access income support in their own right) to 22. We also called for an increase to the Newstart Allowance for single people, and to youth and student payments for young people living away from the parental home.
Submissions Submissions were made to Government on the following topics: ++ The Royal Commission into Family Violence ++ The Victorian Government VET Funding Review ++ The Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 ++ The McClure Report into welfare reform.
Forums, committees and advisory bodies ++ Human Services and Health Partnership Implementation Committee ++ DEECD-CSO Partnership Governance Group ++ Smart Justice for Young People steering group ++ Schoolies Week Interagency Steering Committee ++ Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Youth Grants Panel ++ School Focused Youth Services working group ++ Vic Police Young People’s Portfolio Reference Group ++ Rural Council’s Victoria ‘Tomorrow Towns’ project advisory group ++ Violence against Women and their Children Forum ++ ‘Youth in the Asian Century’ project forum (University of Melbourne)
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 17
Policy and Research cont... Other policy work ++ YACVic State Election Platform 201415, with regular media releases and a candidates’ forum ++ Comprehensive information for the sector on the state and federal budgets 2015 ++ Working with VCOSS and Youth Connections stakeholders to advocate for an education re-engagement program for vulnerable young people
Policy briefings submitted to the Office for Youth ++ Briefing on the perception of young people in the Victorian media
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Policy presentations ++ ‘Policy work at YACVic’ to youth policy students at ACU ++ Presentations on Victorian policy priorities, to the Inner Melbourne Youth Partnership and the Yarra Ranges Youth Services team ++ ‘Young people, service provision, and the state budget 2015’ to LGA youth service provider forums in Hoppers Crossing and Ivanhoe
YACVic sincerely thanks the PAG members 2014-15 for their dedicated work.
Policy Advisory Group (PAG) members during 2014-15 ++ Chenchen Bian – YACVic Youth Reference Group ++ Jen Brice – The Reach Foundation ++ Philippa Cane – Federation University (returning to the group from April 2015) ++ Tracey Carson – Victoria University ++ Metika Claxton – YACVic Youth Reference Group ++ Vicki Cooper – City of Whittlesea ++ Lyn Fletcher – Berry Street ++ Paula Grogan (until July 2015) and Carly Nowell (from July 2015) – Victorian Council of Social Service ++ Kara Hadgradt – Trades Hall (from November 2014) ++ Willow Kellock – Centre for Multicultural Youth (position previously held by Piergiorgio Moro) ++ Kerrie Loveless – City of Yarra ++ Jacqueline Magee – Centre for New Public Education at the Foundation for Young Australians (until May 2015) ++ Tim Moore – Australian Catholic University ++ Andrew Neophytou – Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (from September 2014) ++ Marisa Uwarow – City of Port Philip
Participation In 2014-15, YACVic... PRESENTED and facilitated workshops and/or presentations for groups of young people from: ++ Cardinia Shire Young Leaders ++ Ballarat CMY ++ Hobsons Bay Young Leaders ++ YSAS ReCREWvenate youth group ++ Youth advisory groups in regional Victoria. PROVIDED opportunities for young members to participate in and shape its work through: ++ the Youth Reference Group (YRG) ++ the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) ++ supporting young members to present to other groups of young people ++ supporting young members to participate in panel discussions at forums ++ facilitating the nomination of several young members for Victorian Government advisory groups and boards.
CONVENED special youth engagement sessions at Statewide LGA Forums: ++ Panel on Youth Engagement at the Local Government Level ++ Panel on Innovative Youth Engagement for Social Inclusion & Countering Extremism ++ Special interest group on youth consultation. PARTICIPATED in forums and workshops supporting youth participation, including: ++ VicHealth Mental Health and Wellbeing Co-design with Young People Workshop ++ Critical/Constructive/Creative: New Approaches to Young People’s Politics symposium at the University of Melbourne ++ CSIRO-VicHealth workshop on ‘megatrends’ that will influence young people’s mental wellbeing and health over the next 10 years ++ Central Victorian Sexual Health Network.
PROVIDED in-depth guidance on youth participation to over 20 organisations, including: ++ Ardoch Youth Foundation ++ Child Rights Task Force and University of Melbourne Graduate Certificate of Applied Learning and Leadership group ++ City of Stonnington and City of Port Phillip Education Engagement Partnership ++ City of Whittlesea Youth Services ++ Central Victorian Sexual Health Network ++ OurSay Election Question project ++ Outer East Area Child and Youth Partnership ++ UNICEF Australia ++ VicHealth youth co-design framework ++ Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman.
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Participation cont... YAG Case Studies In 2014–15, YACVic worked with the Victorian Government Office for Youth to create a series of case studies about youth advisory groups (YAGs). There are 12 case studies: six groups in rural or regional Victoria and six statewide or Melbournebased groups: ++ Ballarat Youth Advisory Group ++ Banyule City Council Youth Services – Truth4Youth ++ Brophy Family & Youth Services YUMCHA ++ Bellarine Youth Action Crew ++ headspace Sunshine Youth Advisory Group ++ Involve Committee ++ Mitchell Youth Council ++ Moorabool Youth Action Group ++ Mount Alexander Shire Youth Advisory Group ++ The Push Youth Advisory Group ++ VicSRC Executive ++ Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre Youth Brains Trust. Each case study shows how the different groups engaged with young people, achieved goals and overcame challenges. The series will be useful for young people or youth workers hoping to start or maintain youth advisory, action or reference groups. YACVic thanks each of the groups profiled for their help in creating the case studies. Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 20
Advocacy Marketingand and Communiction Communications Throughout 2014-15, YACVic continued to produce engaging and relevant content for the Victorian youth sector, communicated through a range of traditional and digital media. We expanded and utilised our diverse networks to widely promote our policy voice and activities to young people, government and the wider community. In early 2015 YACVic implemented a dynamic new visual identity; a collaborative process that involved surveys, research, and extensive concept and development work. The end result can be seen throughout this annual report as well as in our other publications and on our website.
www.yacvic.org.au
Communications statistics
2,653
Facebook likers
an increase of 90.6%
2,721
Twitter followers
an increase of 27.6% (62% female)
4
Yikes! editions
our member newsletter
13
media releases
34,289
website visitors
over 48,742 sessions
106,749
page views
an increase of 10.6% (68% new visitors)
Top 4 pages
Y Y
Y
(after Home Page) ++ How do I become a youth worker? ++ Code of Ethical Practice ++ Studying Youth Work ++ Publications Listed by Policy Area
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 21
Y
Marketing and Communications cont... Top 10 media mentions Youth turning to porn for dating advice, SBS online, 19 June 2015 Disability advocates call for Senator Mitch Fifield to be ‘more forthcoming’ over NDIS funding, ABC online, 28 May 2015 (YDAS) Victorian school photoshops students’ photos, www.neoskosmos.com, 9 April 2015 Do you think these photos have been airbrushed?, The Age, March 24 2015 Students help to select teachers, ABC RN Drive, 16 February 2015 (VicSRC) NFPs Warn of Youth Employment ‘Social Disaster’, ProBono News, July 17 2014 Every year 10 student to do defensive driving course under Labor Government, The Age, 11 November 2014 (VicSRC) What can schools do about bullying?, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 September 2014 (VicSRC) Technology pushes teacher student relationships into new territory, The Age, 16 August 2014 (VicSRC) Unruly students come under fire from peak student body, Herald Sun, 15 August 2014
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Media releases 18 June 2015 YACVic calls for relationship education in schools 5 May 2015 A strong state budget for young people 25 February 2015 Youth peaks respond to McClure Report: New welfare model raises concerns for young Australians 25 November 2014 Election 2014 – What’s in it for young people? 17 November 2014 Boost for secondary schools in Victoria 17 November 2014 New TAFE pathways for young Victorians 14 November 2014 Strengthening mental health support for young people 14 November 2014 Safe, affordable housing key to young people’s futures 14 November 2014 New help for secondary students to plan their careers 10 November 2014 Support for young drivers a welcome commitment 7 October 2014 Job Services 14 August 2014 Research shows regional students continue to be disadvantaged 16 July 2014 Students appalled by corporal punishment remarks
E-bulletins
Announce
is YACVic’s monthly e-bulletin, going out to 2,000+ subscribers with the latest news, training, events and employment opportunities across the sector. 10 editions of Announce were sent out, with recipients spanning from young people to academics across Victoria.
Updates
is YACVic’s monthly e-newsletter, specific to the goings-on at YACVic. There were 10 editions sent out to 2,000+ recipients in the 2014-15 financial year.
Signposts
is a bi-monthly e-bulletin produced by the Victorian Rural Youth Service with links to new research projects, opportunities for funding, surveys, submissions, news, events and examples of best practice. 13 bulletins were produced in 2014-15, sent to 593 recipients, an increase of 21% from the last financial year.
Victorian Rural Youth Services The Victorian Rural Youth Services initiative (VRYS) is funded by the State Government of Victoria, guided by a network of rural youth support services and allied organisations, and operates through the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria. Our vision is that all young people have access to the services, programs and resources they need, and are not disadvantaged by their rurality. The Victorian Rural Youth Services initiative undertakes research, training and policy development to support rural young people and the workers and services that assist them. In 2014-15, the rural initiative ran a training calendar for workers and young people around the state, published a series of rural youth advisory group case studies and an analysis of the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the use and supply of methamphetamines. The initiative also administered a small grants round, presented at several conferences and rural/regional youth network meetings on topics including sexual health, collective impact and youth participation; and kept the rural sector in touch with news, research and opportunities for advocacy and professional development.
This year also saw the State Government announce that YACVic will be provided with
$962,000 over two years (2015-2017) to establish two new offices in rural/regional Victoria, extending the work of the VRYS. Since this announcement in May, YACVic have been very busy undertaking a comprehensive scoping exercise in partnership with the Minister and Office for Youth to establish where the two offices should be set up and how we will best support the wellbeing of rural and regional young people and the sector that supports them.
Where we’ve been...
25
visits to rural/regional Victoria between Sept 2014 and July 2015 Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 23
Victorian Rural Youth Services cont... Training sessions and events Rural Youth Advisory Group Training Sessions
Rural Local Government Youth Service Forums
Throughout April and May 2015 the VRYS ran a series of four training workshops for young people involved with youth advisory groups, youth councils and committees. Overall, 113 young people attended, with 84% reporting that they were highly satisfied with the training.
Throughout March, April and May 2015 the VRYS ran a series of four youth services forums across rural and regional Victoria. Overall, the rural forums attracted 151 attendees from across the state, with 93% of participants rating the event as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
The sessions – held in Ballarat, Warrnambool, Geelong and Shepparton – were designed to equip young people with the skills they need to create change, better understand themselves and their potential, work well together and have a greater impact in their community. The training was framed around a hypothetical scenario where participants used their skills and imagination to think of creative, non-violent strategies to save their community from an impending zombie apocalypse.
The forums – held in Wallan, Echuca, Hamilton and Wangaratta – were designed for representatives from LGA youth services to share good practice, network and discuss current and emerging issues. The forums also welcomed other representatives from youth services, the education sector and organisations with an interest in affairs of young people within their region. These forums featured a range of guest speakers and networking opportunities, and covered topics including the future of LGA youth service delivery, youth engagement, grantseeking, and the state budget.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 24
8 events
in rural and regional communities
Victorian Rural Youth Services cont... Policy VRYS Summary Paper: Parliamentary inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, particularly ice, in Victoria This paper provides a quick, accessible summary of the Victorian Parliament’s 900 page ‘Inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, particularly ice, in Victoria’. It provides brief discussion of the report’s key recommendations and their relevance to service providers and young people in rural and regional settings.
Rural Youth Advisory Group Case Studies The VRYS collated six case studies of successful youth advisory groups including Bellarine Youth Action Crew (City of Greater Geelong), Ballarat’s Youth Advisory Group (Centre for
Multicultural Youth), Mitchell Youth Council (Mitchell Shire Council), Moorabool Youth Action Group (Moorabool Shire Council), Mount Alexander Shire Youth Advisory Group, YUMCHA (Brophy Youth and Family Services Warrnambool). The purpose of the case studies was to showcase the great work that young people in rural and regional Victoria are doing to create change in their communities and to provide other organisation’s and youth advisory groups with some useful advice and strategies to guide their work. For more on the youth advisory group case studies project, refer to page 20. rt a diversity of projects to purchase
Small grants administered 16 small grants acquitted In 2014-15 the VRYS initiative hosted the Equip Grant Program, which provided financial support to help rural and regional councils and organisations in Ballarat, Bass Coast, Bendigo, Boolarra, Daylesford, Geelong, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Mildura, Moira, Mount Alexander, Northern Grampians, Warrnambool, Wellington,
Woodend and Wycheproof. The purpose of the grant round was to enable organisations to access digital gear, educational resources and recreational equipment that will help young people to strengthen their connections to their local communities and have their say in local decision making. ‘Equip’ grants were used to support a diversity of projects to purchase equipment that would enable young people to engage in their communities. Activities supported by the grants included youth consultation, participation in youth advisory councils, camping and outdoor adventure activities, music and dance, filmmaking, movie nights, public festivals, arts and theatre. Preference was given to projects which undertook to engage different cohorts of young people, to make the equipment widely available, and to work in partnership with other community stakeholders.
All 16 grants have had completed reports returned and collated by grant recipients
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 25
Victorian Rural Youth Services cont... Rural Youth Sector News
13 e-bulletins distributed to 593 recipients
The Signposts rural bimonthly e-bulletin contains news, training opportunities, research updates and opportunities for workers and young people.
4 Yikes! articles published with a rural/regional focus
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 26
Committees and working groups Input provided to four advisory bodies The VRYS was involved with four working groups including: ++ Rural Council’s Victoria ‘Tomorrow Towns’ Project advisory group ++ Melbourne University Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH) ‘SexRurality Conference’ advisory group ++ Victorian Council for Social Service (VCOSS) Emergency Management advisory group ++ Office for Youth Schoolies Week Interagency Steering Committee.
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) Working with young people who have a passion for advocacy and human rights is by far the most rewarding aspect of my role as the manager of YDAS. Over the last nine years, our service has had the pleasure of working with many young people who want to make the world a better place. They come to us because they want to work with us towards our ultimate goal of achieving justice for young people with disabilities by advocating for their rights and influencing policy and social change.
Madeleine passed away in May and will be remembered as a fearless advocate for disability rights and for her work to increase the social recognition and political representation of young people with disabilities. Her kindness and generosity to others was felt by all who knew her and she will be very sadly missed. We held a memorial in Madeleine’s honour at the Melbourne Town Hall that celebrated her contribution to our lives and to the youth and disability sectors.
and-coming disability advocate. We met with the new part-time Disability Services Commissioner, and with a range of ministers including Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Disability Martin Foley, and Minister for Volunteering and Carers Gabrielle Williams. We also presented to a joint meeting of the Office for Disability and the Office for Youth. On all of these occasions, we emphasised the importance of listening to the needs and interests of young people with a disability.
Madeleine Sobb was one of these young people. She joined our steering committee in 2011 and headed up our first-ever National Youth Disability Conference in 2012 as the conference coordinator.
One of the achievements this year that Madeleine was very proud of was a successful tender for a grant from the City of Melbourne to provide workshops to young school leavers with disabilities.
This was a massive endeavour and demonstrated Madeleine’s impressive talents and her passion for raising youth and disability issues on a national stage.
These workshops are aimed at helping young people with disability in years 10, 11 and 12 to understand their options for life after school. This once again showed her commitment to increasing the life opportunities of young people with a disability.
The YDAS steering committee continued to be at the centre of our work. We sadly farewelled longstanding volunteer and steering committee member Jarrod Marinnon and welcomed new members Helen Mahar, Kara May and Shani Fernando. Jarrod had been on the steering committee for four years and made a huge contribution. His humour, hard work and commitment have been invaluable to our service. On the policy front, YDAS continued to advocate for the interests of young people with disabilities in a range of areas by making several submissions including important representations to the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Victorian Parliament and the Australian Senate.
In 2014 Madeleine commenced her role as YDAS Project Officer where one of her key roles was to support the works of the YDAS steering committee. Her leadership talents and ability to work effectively with other young people was evident from the beginning.
This year, YDAS worked with Matt Sheean, a young student with a disability on placement with us. Matt has a strong passion for advocacy and it was a great opportunity to mentor an up-
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 27
Youth Disability Advocacy Service cont... A major area of focus this year has been addressing the abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, particularly those living in residential accommodation. YDAS worked closely with the Victorian Ombudsman on its investigation and was pleased with the recommendations that included the establishment of a single independent body to oversee reports of abuse in the disability sector and strengthening access to advocacy to ensure everyone has a voice. In our individual advocacy work, we continued to work with young people to assist them with their advocacy goals. This year, the advocacy issues were significantly complex. Most young people (around 90%) required support for more than three months due to very serious issues ranging from sexual assault to chemical restraint and denial of basic supports (e.g. showering). YDAS supported two young people to make a complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman, as well as complaints to the Department of Health and Human Services and to disability organisations. 30% of our clients were under 15 years of age. Most of our advocacy work was related to education (18%) and disability services (18%), followed by complaints about disability accommodation (15%) and abuse & neglect (15%).
YDAS had some great success with young people seeking individual advocacy; for example, by ensuring that a major hospital reviewed its policies and procedures and committed to human rights training so that disability is not used as a reason for denying medical treatment to critically ill patients. YDAS also achieved a good outcome for a student as he moved from a special school – where he had been abused by teaching staff – to a secondary school where he was provided with necessary supports. In October, Sarah Forbes commenced as our Human Rights and Advocacy Officer, as we farewelled Niki Sheldon who made a fantastic contribution in the role for the previous 12 months.
We continued to work with young people to assist them with their advocacy goals. As we move into our 10th year of operation next year, we will be working on bigger and better things for young people with disabilities in Victoria.
www.ydas.org.au Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 28
Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) As the peak body representing students in Victoria, we are thrilled to wrap up this last 12 months celebrating students, SRCs, and schools that are leading the way in student voice.
The Executive The VicSRC Student Executive continues to lead the organisation forward, driving strategy and decision making at all levels. The Executive meets monthly at the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria office, to provide leadership over the direction of the VicSRC and work on Resolutions passed at Congress. The VicSRC Executives have spoken on panels, MC events, and participated in a number of stakeholder forums to provide feedback and advice to the Department of Education and Training. In 2014-2015, the Executive attended two camps, held a strategic planning day in January and planned extensively for Congress 2015. VicSRC continued its growth and received an increase in funding from the Department of Education and Training for 2014–2017.
Advocacy Student voices were heard across Victorian policy and advocacy in 2014–15. This includes continuing participation in stakeholder consultation sessions to discuss the deliverables for key government policy. The VicSRC’s advocacy agenda for 2014–2015 led action on: 1. Interschool collaboration 2. Student wellbeing counsellors 3. Green initiatives 4. Extracurricular activities, and campaigning for the Education Maintenance Allowance. The three-year strategic plan and yearly advocacy agenda is supported by the increase in staff from one to three team members.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 29
VicSRC cont... Congress The 9th annual VicSRC Congress was held from 15-16 August 2014 at Lord Somers Camp. A record 175 students attended (up from 72 students in 2013). Four media stories, 15 volunteers, one retweet from the Premier of Victoria and a visit from the Minister for Education later, students from across the state shared their voices and determined the key issues and advocacy platforms that the incoming VicSRC Student Executive would focus on in 2014-2015.
Congress 2014 Resolutions The following resolutions, passed by students, formed the agenda for the incoming 2014–2015 Executive: 1. Education Maintenance Allowance That the VicSRC advocate for the preservation of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). 2. Gender Identity That the VicSRC partner with youth service organisations to create resources about sexual and gender identity acceptance and equality. Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 30
3. Interschool Collaboration That the VicSRC resolve to establish links of communication and collaboration between schools. 4. Student Wellbeing Counsellors That the VicSRC advocate for the government to provide extra student wellbeing counsellors for secondary schools. 5. Anti-Bullying Resources That the VicSRC encourage schools to develop resources that promote antibullying.
6. Green Initiatives That the VicSRC support the implementation of green initiatives in schools. 7. Extra-Curricular Activities That the VicSRC establish a website/ platform to promote and inform teachers and students about extra-curricular activities within the community.
VicSRC cont... VicSRC Regional Conferences
Top 10 issues in 2015*
From Bendigo to Malvern, Pascoe Vale to Hamilton, Footscray to Stawell, Corio to Churchill, VicSRC travelled far and wide to work with students who care passionately about their education at the VicSRC Regional Conferences 2015.
1. Bullying
VicSRC Regional Conferences allow students to network across schools, gain new skills, work together on common issues and define the top issues that matter to Victorian students.
5. Student wellbeing and welfare
In-depth discussions allowed students to find connections and common ground across schools on a range of key issues including school funding, governance, wellbeing and welfare, school culture, facilities, technology and the curriculum.
8. Student-teacher relationships
1724kms on the road
3
months
12
conferences
7
2. School funding 3. Facilities 4. School culture 6. School clusters 7. School leadership and governance 9. Environmental issues 10. Curriculum * Determined by Victorian students
"It helped me open up and taught me more about the importance and power of SRC." Student, Gippsland Conference
sold-out events Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 31
VicSRC cont... VicSRC Recognition Awards The VicSRC Recognition Awards are about celebrating the achievements of SRCs and presenting examples of best practice in student voice, student-led action and student participation. 2014 marked the first year that VicSRC has presented the VicSRC Recognition Awards as a stand-alone event. Attended by the Minister for Education, the event saw over 50 applications from 28 schools across the state. Finalists demonstrated their dedication, humour and profound commitment to student voice, leadership and meaningful participation. Finalists came from regional and metropolitan Victoria, primary schools and secondary schools, from private and government schools. They showcased stories of schools challenging restricted understandings of the importance of student voice, and of SRCs working hard to ensure the authenticity of shared decisionmaking between students and teachers.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 32
"Some days, the world is either for you or against you. When it’s against you, be patient. When it’s for you, be humble." Sophie Williams, Student Leader of the Year
VicSRC cont... "This Teach the Teacher training session was not only an informative meeting but also an experience-sharing session that gave everyone a better understanding of each school." Teach the Teacher is a student-led professional development program for teachers. It brings students and teachers together to talk about learning and teaching, and the school environment.
Rose Han and Chester Ngan, Teach the Teacher Committee, Mount Waverley Secondary College
The program starts with conversations, and provides a space to make positive changes together. It involves a commitment to listening to the voices of students, to taking their concerns seriously, and to building student-teacher partnerships for school improvement. In 2014-2015, VicSRC launched a new website to support schools to deliver the program: www.teachtheteacher.org.au. VicSRC provides resources, training and support for schools and delivered the program to 20 new schools.
www.teachtheteacher.org.au
Communications The VicSRC communications approach is all about telling our story and putting students front and centre. Our media profile has grown with 18 media mentions across print, radio, tv and online publications through 2014-2015, with students commenting on issues that affect their education and schooling. The VicSRC e-newsletter is distributed monthly to communicate with over 1000 students and teachers across Victoria, with an above-industry open rate average of 24%. VicSRC has grown across social media, increasing our reach and impact across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As at 30 June 2015, our Facebook likes have risen from 673 to 1,012. Likewise, Twitter followers have increased from 244 to 533, and Instagram has increased to 211 followers.
www.vicsrc.org.au Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 33
Koorie Youth Council The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) is funded by the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and is the voice for Aboriginal youth in Victoria. The 2014–2015 year marked another important step in the journey of the KYC. The KYC is continuing to strengthen its role as the key body representing the needs, concerns and aspirations of Aboriginal young people in Victoria with an expanding network of members and more opportunities for Aboriginal youth to have a voice. The KYC acknowledges the invaluable work and commitment from the members of the Council for demonstrating strong leadership in guiding the KYC’s direction and activities throughout the year.
viyac.org.au/kyc Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 34
New members on board In November the KYC welcomed eight new members onto the Council. The new members hail from various regions of Victoria reflecting the KYC’s strong focus on both metropolitan and rural representation of Aboriginal youth. The new members will play a crucial role in leading the KYC’s agenda and direction into the future.
Increased policy work In the past 12 months the KYC has increased its level of proactive policy work. The KYC was pleased to be a part of key initiatives and partnerships, including making a submission into the Royal Commission on Family Violence; developing a co-submission to the Victorian Government on improving Aboriginal children’s outcomes in out-of-home care, and the 2015 Summit Report with nine key policy recommendations.
Koorie Youth Summit The second Koorie Youth Summit (Summit) was held on 14-15 May 2015 at Mantra Bell City. The Summit is Victoria’s largest Aboriginal youth leadership event and this year was attended by over 140 young Aboriginal delegates from across the state. Delegates participated in a number of workshops and yarning circles where they discussed key issues impacting Aboriginal young people today and what needs to happen to address these issues. The Summit also featured a number of inspiring guest speakers, including Jack ManningBancroft, AIME CEO; Tim Kanoa, Founder of the Fighting Gunditjmara; and Meriki Onus, Co-Founder of the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance. The KYC produced a comprehensive report from the Summit, which highlighted a number of key learnings and recommendations. The report was presented to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in July.
Koorie Youth Summit | 14–15 May 2015 | #kys2015
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 35
Youth Mentoring From 2005-2014, the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA) was funded by the Victorian Government and philanthropy. Operating under YACVic’s auspice from 2012-2014, VYMA offered training and advice to youth mentoring initiatives across the state, ensuring high-quality programs that offered rich mentoring experiences for the young people (and adult mentors) involved. Unfortunately, due to unforseen changes in funding arrangements with the previous Victorian Government, VYMA was forced to cease operations indefinitely in June 2014. However, YACVic was determined to continue support for youth mentoring in VYMA’s absence. With the valued assistance of a grant from William Buckland Foundation, YACVic has done this by creating the Youth Mentoring Hub.
www.youthmentoringhub.org.au
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 36
Youth Mentoring cont... The Hub is a website that preserves and improves access to VMYA’s wealth of resources. Using a colourful, engaging interface, the Hub provides users with the tools to run a highquality youth mentoring program. The Hub offers expert guidance on planning and delivering safe and sustainable youth mentoring programs in Victoria. It was designed in collaboration with a steering group of youth mentoring sector representatives. YACVic’s Youth Mentoring Hub Project Officer, Claire East, led the development of the website, creating the content and delivering associated training. The project was overseen by a Working Group including youth mentoring coordinators from regional and metropolitan programs. The Youth Mentoring Hub website was officially launched on 5 March 2015 by Hon Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Families and Children and Minister for Youth Affairs, at the City of Melbourne and AMES Multicultural Hub, in Melbourne CBD. At the launch, a panel of mentors, mentees and mentoring program coordinators discussed the challenges and successes of Victorian youth mentoring. The launch was followed by a training workshop on the Hub website.
Successes of the Youth Mentoring Hub project
++ Over 150 people participated in the Hub project, through: »» the Working Group »» as guest speakers and participants at Hub training events »» online surveys providing website development feedback »» proofreading draft website content »» participating in the panel and the audience at the Hub launch. ++ Over 500 youth mentoring programs received an email briefing about the Hub ++ 51 people participated in four Youth Mentoring Hub training sessions, held in Warragul, Hamilton, and Melbourne CBD.
This project will have a long-term, positive impact for the estimated 7,000 young people and 6,000 volunteer mentors participating in youth mentoring programs around Victoria. In the absence of VYMA, the Hub ensures youth mentoring practitioners will have improved access to the skills, knowledge and resources to increase their program quality, efficiency and viability. This will, in turn, be of great benefit to the young people who participate in mentoring programs, their families and communities. YACVic continues to advocate for new government investment to continue the projects and programs created by VYMA.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 37
Finance Report For the 2014-15 financial year, YACVic returned an operating surplus of $72,255 (2014: $66,628), increasing net assets to $567,266 (2014: $495,011). YACVic remains in a strong financial position due to the diligent use of the organisation’s resources.
Income and Expenditure Statement for the year ended 30 June 2014
Income increased by 12% from the prior year to $1,799,306, due mostly to higher grants for the Victorian Student Representative Council and the Koorie Youth Council conference. Expenses also went up by 12% due to increased staff, pay equity awards and project costs expenditure.
Administration charge
121,297
Conferences
At 30 June 2015, YACVic had cash reserves of $1,216,936 (2014: $1,152,290) to fund its operations. Working capital remains strong at 1.78 times, which is an improvement over the previous year of 1.7 times. My thanks to Georgie Ferrari and Ian Johnson for their diligent management of the organisation’s finances.
David Anderson, Treasurer Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 38
2015 $
2014 $
2015 $
2014 $
Employee leave provisions
36,714
(25,911)
115,479
Other staff costs
27,955
26,953
41,632
10,860
Publication and printing
8,057
16,342
Forums and training
13,795
44,274
Professional development and training
17,566
8,053
Government grants
1,427,915
1,321,785
Project costs
133,204
137,353
Interest received
34,411
35,309
Salaries and wages
842,864
793,763
Membership
38,066
35,144
Other grants
104,893
29,846
Sector development and consultation
119,958
76,817
Other income
17,297
15,420
Superannuation contributions
81,181
72,070
1,799,306
1,608,117
WorkCover
10,015
7,688
1,727,051
1,541,489
REVENUE
cont...
EXPENSES Accommodation
83,310
106,607
Current year surplus
72,255
66,628
Administration
283,258
258,197
495,011
428,383
Communication
75,927
56,326
Retained surplus at the beginning of the financial year
Depreciation
6,143
6,765
Retained surplus at the end of the financial year
567,266
495,011
Equipment maintenance
899
466
Finance Report cont... Assets and Liabilities Statement as at 30 June 2014 Note
2015 $
Statement of Cashflows for the year ended 30 June 2014
2014 $
Current assets
Net assets
Cash and cash equivalents
2
1,216,936
1,152,540
Trade and other receivables
3
107,810
49,862
Other current assets
4
14,376
13,126
Investments
5
70,300
-
1,409,422
1,215,528
6,197
8,621
6,197
8,621
1,415,619
1,224,149
Total current assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment
6
Total non-current assets Total assets Current liabilities Trade and other payables
7
128,458
76,878
Other liabilities
8
534,910
500,830
Provisions
9
129,497
92,068
792,865
669,776
Total current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities Total liabilities
9
55,488
59,362
55,488
59,362
848,353
729,138
Note
2015 $
2014 $
567,266
495,011
Equity
Note
567,266
495,011
Total equity
567,266
495,011
Statement of Changes in Equity ended 30 June 2014 Retained Total Surplus $ Equity $
2015 $
2014 $
1,908,985
1,477,349
Cash flow from operating activities Receipts from customers
Retained surplus
Payments to suppliers and employees
(1,803,260) (1,578,946)
Interest received Net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities
11
32,960
35,309
138,415
(66,288)
(3,719)
(2,927)
Cash flow from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment
428,383
428,383
Investment in term deposits
(70,300)
-
Surplus for the year
66,628
66,628
Net cash used in investing activities
(74,019)
(2,927)
Balance at 30 June 2014
495,011
495,011
Net increase / (decrese) in cash held
64,396
(69,215)
Surplus for the year
72,255
72,255
567,266
567,266
1,152,540
1,221,755
1,216,936
1,152,540
Balance at 1 July 2013
Balance at 30 June 2015
Non-current liabilities Provisions
cont...
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year
2
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 39
Finance Report cont... Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Preparation The financial statements are special purpose financial statements prepared in order to satisfy the financial reporting requirements of the Associations Incorporations Reform Act 2012. The committee has determined that the association is not a reporting entity. The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on historical costs and do not take into account changing money values or, except where stated specifically, current valuations of non-current assets. The following significant accounting policies, which are consistent with the previous period unless stated otherwise, have been adopted in the preparation of these financial statements.
Accounting Policies (a) Revenue Revenue is recognised on the following basis: Revenue from the rendering of a service is recognised upon the delivery of the service to the customers. Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets. Membership revenue is recognised progressively over the period to which the membership relates. Any portion of membership fees received relating to the following financial year is brought to account at balance date as income in advance.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 40
Government revenue is derived from services and programs performed on behalf of state, commonwealth and local governments. These are recognised in the period in which the services are provided, having regard to the stage of completion of activities and targets within each program as specified in the funding and service contracts. Any funding received for services which have not been performed is recorded as funding in advance in the statement of financial position. All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST). (b) Income Tax The association is exempt from paying income tax under section 50-45 of the Income Tax Assessment Act and subsequently has not been charged any income tax expense. (c) Goods and Services Tax (GST) Revenues, expenses and assets are initially recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included with other receivables or payables in the assets and liabilities statement. (d) Cash and cash equivalents Cash on hand includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. (e) Trade and other receivables Trade and other receivables include amounts from customers for services performed in the ordinary
course of business. Receivables expected to be collected within 12 months of the end of the reporting period are classified as current assets. All other receivables are classified as non-current assets. (f) Property, plant and equipment Leasehold improvements and office equipment are carried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation. The depreciable amount of all property, plant and equipment is depreciated over the useful lives of the assets to the association commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Leasehold improvements are amortised over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. (g) Impairment of assets At the end of each reporting period, the committee reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have been impaired. If such an indication exists, an impairment test is carried out on the asset by comparing the recoverable amount of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use, to the asset’s carrying amount. Any excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its recoverable amount is recognised in the income and expenditure statement. (h) Trade and other payables Trade and other payables represent the liability outstanding at the end of the reporting period for goods and services received by the association during the reporting period, which remain unpaid. The balance is recognised as a current liability with the amounts normally paid within 30 days of recognition of the liability.
Finance Report cont... (i) Employee provisions Provision is made for the association’s liability for employee benefits arising from services rendered by employees to the end of the reporting period. Employee provisions have been measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liability is settled.
Note 3. Trade and Other Receivables Trade receivables
Note 4. Other Assets
Note 5. Investments
(k) Comparative figures Where required by Accounting Standards comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation for the current financial year.
CURRENT
Note 2. Cash and Cash Equivalents
2015 $
2014 $
CURRENT
(j) Provision for parental leave The Enterprise Bargaining Agreement entitles staff to 12 weeks paid parental leave on the birth or adoption of each child. A provision has been made reflecting past experience that one-and-one-half full-time equivalent employees will take parental leave during the year. The provision has been measured as the amount expected to be paid when the liability is settled.
When an entity applies an accounting policy retrospectively, makes a retrospective restatement or reclassifies items in its financial statements, a statement of financial position as at the beginning of the earliest comparative period must be disclosed.
2015 $
1,394
1,778
Cash at bank
427,337
347,831
Short-term investments – term deposits
788,205
802,931
1,216,936
1,152,540
107,810
49,862
107,810
49,862
Prepayments
11,626
9,905
Accrued income
2,750
3,221
14,376
13,126
Investment in term deposits
70,300
Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment
2015 $
2014 $
Leasehold improvements At cost
14,294
14,294
Accumulated depreciation
(13,316)
(12,738)
978
1,556
At cost
105,196
101,477
Accumulated depreciation
(99,977)
(94,412)
5,219
7,065
6,197
8,621
Total property, plant and equipment
2014 $
Movements in Carrying Amounts
Office furniture and equipment
Cash on hand
2015 $
Movements in carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment, between the beginning and the end of the current financial year. Leasehold Improvements $
Office furniture and equipment $
Total $
2,202
10,257
12,459
Additions at cost
-
2,927
2,927
Disposals
-
-
-
Depreciation expense
(646)
(6,119)
(6,765)
Balance at beginning of year
1,556
7,065
8,621
Additions
-
3,718
3,718
Disposals
-
-
-
Depreciation expense
(578)
(5,565)
(6,143)
Carrying amount at year end
978
5,218
6,196
CURRENT
2014 $
CURRENT
cont...
Balance at 1 July 2013
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 41
Finance Report cont... Note 7. Trade and Other Payables
2015 $
2014 $
Trade Payables
34,050
9,820
Other Payables
846
1,912
ATO Payable
45,287
39,783
Accrued expenses
48,275
25,363
128,458
76,878
Note 8. Other Liabilities CURRENT
Membership paid in advance
516,413
481,500
18,497
19,330
534,910
500,830
Note 9. Provisions CURRENT Employee benefits - annual leave
2015 $
2014 $
49,985
39,685
2015 $
2014 $
Employee benefits - long service leave
16,488
20,362
Provision for make good on lease premises
39,000
39,000 59,362
The printer and photocopier lease is a non-cancellable operating lease contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements with a three-year term, expiring in September 2017.
55,488
Provision for Long Service Leave A provision has been recognised for employee entitlements relating to long service leave. In calculating the present value of future cash flows in respect of long service leave, the probability of long service leave being taken is based on reasonable estimates that the employee will reach this entitlement. The measurement and recognition criteria relating to employee benefits has been included in Note 1 to this report.
Note 11. Cash Flow Information Reconcilliation of cash flow from operations with profit after income tax Profit after income tax credit
72,255
66,628
6,143
6,765
(57,948)
50,869
- (Increase)/decrease in other assets
(1,250)
666
Non-cash flows in profit:
Note 10. Capital and Leasing Commitments
- Depreciation
(a) Finance lease commitments Youth Affairs Council of Victoria do not have any finance leases in place at 30 June 2015.
Changes in assets and liabilities: - (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
(b) Operating lease commitments Non-cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements: - not later than 12 months
64,995
61,002
187,043
242,247
- Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
85,660
(146,328)
-
-
- Increase/(decrease) in provisions
33,555
(44,888)
252,038
303,249
138,415
(66,288)
Employee benefits - parental leave
37,741
31,100
- between 12 months and 5 years
Employee benefits - long service leave
41,771
21,283
- greater than 5 years
129,497
92,068
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 42
cont...
The property lease commitment is a non-cancellable operating lease contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements with a five-year term. The lease was renewed for a further five-year term commencing on 1 March 2014. An increase in lease commitment of 3.50% will occur on each anniversary date.
NON-CURRENT
CURRENT
Funding in advance
cont...
Cash flows from operations
Finance Report cont... Note 12. Related Party Transactions
2015 $
2014 $
Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable than those available to other parties unless otherwise stated. No committee members have entered into any material contract with the association since the end of the previous financial year and there were no material contracts involving committee members interests subsisting at year end. There were no loans to committee members.
Note 13. Events after the Reporting Period There have been no events subsequent to the balance sheet date that have an impact that would require disclosure in the financial statements or notes thereof.
Note 14. Association Details The registered office of the company is: Youth Affairs Council of Victoria 2/180 Flinders Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 The principal place of business is: Youth Affairs Council of Victoria 2/180 Flinders Street
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 43
Where We’ve Been YDAS: Geelong
YACVic Core: Bendigo, Wallan, Woodend.
Metro Melb: Avondale Heights, Diamond Creek, Footscray, Hawthorn, Lilydale, Narre Warren and Ringwood.
Melb Metro: Altona, Ascot Vale, Carlton, Cheltenham, Coburg, Dandenong, Docklands, Fitzroy, Gembrook, Hawthorn, Hoppers Crossing, Ivanhoe, Manningham, Moorabbin, Parkville, Prahran, Preston, St Kilda, Whittlesea, Williamstown. VRYS: Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Benalla, Castlemaine, Drysdale, Echuca, Geelong, Hamilton, Kyneton, Seymour, Shepparton, Wallan, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Wonthaggi. KYC: Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Healesville, Mildura, Moe, Shepparton, Wodonga. YDAS: VYMA: Hamilton, Warragul. VicSRC: Benalla, Bendigo, Corio, Hamilton, Morwell, Stawell. Melb Metro: Footscray, Keysborough, Malvern, Pascoe Vale Sth, South Yarra, Templestowe. Teach the Teacher: Apollo Bay, Colac, Portland, Warrnambool.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 44
VRYS Torquay Bendigo Melb Metro: Albert Park, Cranbourne North, Kew, Kings Port Fairy Park, Mount Eliza, Mount Waverley, Narre Warren South, Kyneton Point Cook, Ringwood, Scoresby, Taylors Lakes, Werribee. Portland Yarram Geelong Wangaratta Ballarat Echuca
Thank You ++ Adam Cooper, Maroondah City Council ++ Annie Davis, Youthlaw ++ Annie Rowland, Macedon Ranges Shire Council ++ Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) ++ Banyule City Council Youth Services ++ Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership ++ Bellarine Youth Action Crew, Geelong City Council ++ Bridie Hudson ++ Buffy Leadbeater, Mitchell Shire Council ++ Campaspe Shire Youth Services ++ Cardinia Shire Council Youth Services ++ Cathie Mahar ++ Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare ++ Centre for Multicultural Youth ++ Centre for Multicultural Youth Ballarat ++ Cherry Grimwade, City of Yarra ++ City of Ballarat Youth Services ++ City of Casey Youth Services
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
City of Greater Dandenong Youth Services City of Melbourne City of Whitehorse Youth Services City of Whittlesea Youth Services City of Yarra Youth Services Claire Thorn, Office for Youth Commission for Aboriginal Children and Young People Commission for Children and Young People Connect Magazine Council to Homeless Persons Crystal Walker Dani Williams, City of Casey David Conley, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council David Mould David White Department of Education and Training Dianne Snowden, Wyndham City Council Dom Ennis, YoDAA Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
++ ++ ++ ++
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Domestic Violence Victoria Emma Carter, Cardinia Shire Council Emma Firth, Cardinia Shire Council Everyone who took part in our consultations to inform our family violence submission Exodus Hoodies Family Access Network Harald Klein headspace Sunshine Helen Macpherson Smith Trust Helen Mahar Hobsons Bay Future Leaders and Youth Parliament Team Hon Jenny Mikakos Hume City Council Youth Services Ian Potter Foundation Indigo Holcombe-James Involve Committee Jen Rose Jennifer Pitcher, Office for Youth Jess Sayers, Banyule City Council
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 45
Thank You cont... ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
John Ernst John Kouvelas, DHHS Julie Phillips Kalinya Communications Kane Sparks, Swan Hill Rural City Council Karen Baum Kate Moran, City of Ballarat Kate Wilde Katharina Verscharen, City of Greater Dandenong Katrina Currie, Brotherhood of St Laurence Ken Innes Kerrie Loveless, City of Yarra Kitty te Reile, Victoria University Koorie Youth Council members Korin Gamadji Institute Kris Arcaro, DET Lauren Oliver, Berry Street Lauren Siegmann, String Theory Legal Services Board Grants Program Leigh Bartlett, Batforce Lesley Pruitt Linda Randall Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs)
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 46
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation Maree Crabbe Maria Mayors Marina Power Marissa Uwarow, City of Port Phillip Mark Glascodine Maroondah City Council Maryann Brown Megan King, Youthlaw Michelle Blanchard Mitchell Shire Youth Council Mitchell Shire Youth Services Mohamed Jemai, Islamic Council of Victoria Mona Ray-Greig Monash Youth and Family Services Moorabool Shire Youth Action Group Moreland City Council Youth Services Mount Alexander Shire Youth Advisory Group Our Watch Pauline Neil, Macedon Ranges Shire Council Peter Stephenson, Municipal Association Victoria
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Pip Smith, City of Greater Dandenong Piper Huyah Policy Advisory Group (PAG) members RE Ross Trust Residential Outdoor School Association (ROSA) Richard Hill Robyn Broadbent, Victoria University Robyn Freestone, Youth Support and Advisory Service Robyn Gawenda Roger Holdsworth Rohani Mitchell, Safe Steps Ruth Spielman, National Growth Areas Alliance School Focused Youth Service Coordinators Scott Duncan Sean Porter Second Strike Shannon Lacy, Mount Alexander Shire Council Smart Justice for Young People Soo-Lin Quek, Centre for Multicultural Youth Sophie Breheny
Thank You cont... ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Southern Grampians Shire Sue Newbold Suzanne Prosser, City of Greater Geelong SYN The Human Development Workshop The Push YAG The Salvation Army Tim Corney, University of Melbourne Tim Moore, Australian Catholic University Toni & Sarah, Whitelion Bendigo Leaving Care mentoring program Tony Justice, Knox City Council Trent McCarthy, Central Ranges LLEN Truth4Youth UN Youth Australia University of Melbourne VicSRC Congress volunteers VicSRC Executive 2014–2015 VicSRC members Victorian Council of Social Service Victorian Electoral Commission Victorian Government Office for Youth Victorian Government Office for Disability VISTA VRYS steering committee members
++ Wangaratta Rural City Council Youth Services ++ Warren Prior ++ Wesley Homelessness and Support Services ++ Western LGA Coordinators Network ++ William Buckland Foundation ++ Wyndham City Council Youth Services ++ YDAS Steering Committee members ++ YoDAA ++ Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre Youth Brains Trust ++ Young people who took part in YACVic consultations throughout the year ++ Youth Action ++ Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA) ++ Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) ++ Youth Affairs Network of Tasmania (YNOT) ++ Youth Affairs Network Queensland ++ Youth Coalition of the ACT ++ Youthlaw ++ YRG members ++ YSAS ++ YUMCHA (a little bit of everything)
Thank you Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 47
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) is a vibrant, member-based organisation that represents and advocates for young people and the organisations that work with them. YACVic has worked for and with young Victorians and the services that support them for over 50 years. Our vision: Young Victorians have their rights upheld and are valued as active participants in their communities. The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc Level 2, 180 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9267 3799 Fax: (03) 9639 1622 www.yacvic.org.au info@yacvic.org.au November 2015 YACVic acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria | Annual Report | 2014-15 | page 48