Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) was one of 115 successful Victorian organisations to receive a National Youth Week (NYW) grant from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to help fund a local youth festival in April.

“National Youth Week is an annual, week-long celebration of young people (aged 12–25) throughout Australia,” explained Ben Cooper, Youth Services Manager at (GLCH) and Chair of the Youth Focussed Alliance (YFA). “Each year, all over Australia, events are planned and organised to celebrate and recognise the contribution of young people in their communities.”

The Youth Focussed Network (YFN) is governed by the YFA which includes representatives from GLCH; Federation Training; Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-op; East Gippsland Shire Council; Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government, the Victorian Police; The Smith Family; and SNAP.

The YFA work collaboratively to develop strategies to deliver improved outcomes for young people in East Gippsland and provide greater support and opportunities, including NYW events.

“National Youth Week is an occasion to celebrate being a young person growing up in East Gippsland, and for that reason we encourage youth from all local areas to keep an eye out for events in their area and join in the fun,” added Mr Cooper.

National Youth Week 2016 will be held from 8 April to 17 April 2016.

Pictured left to right: East Gippsland Shire Council Youth Ambassadors Chair, Michelle Perry; Youth Focussed Alliance Chari, Ben Cooper; Youth Focussed Network Chair, Amelie Boucher and Harriet Sheehan, Community Development work placement student.