The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Annual Report 2013-14

Annual Report 2013–14

Contents 03 Chairperson’s report

28 Advocacy & communication

04 Chief Executive Officer’s report

30 Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP)

07 About YACVic

31 Victorian Rural Youth Services (VRYS)

08 Guiding principles

33 Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)

09 Organisational structure

35 Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC)

10 Meet the team

39 Koorie Youth Council (KYC)

12 Membership

41 Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA)

18 Youth sector development

44 Finance report

21 Policy & research

50 Where we’ve been

25 Participation

Chairperson’s Report It is with great pleasure that I present the annual report for 2013-14 to the valued members of YACVic on behalf of the Co-Chairs.

A strong peak body is critical to the strength and success of the youth sector and a Victorian community in which young people thrive. YACVic continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the realm of youth participation, and I wish to particularly note the work of the Youth Reference Group over the course of the last year in ensuring the voices of young people are strongly represented within the echelons of our organisation and beyond.

I extend a warm congratulations to CEO Georgie Ferrari for another successful year. Georgie’s unwavering enthusiasm, expertise and passion for advancing the interests of Victoria’s young people is an indispensible asset to the organisation.

Of course, YACVic’s diverse work across the spheres of advocacy, research, policy, youth participation and youth sector development could not be achieved without the tireless and dedicated work of the organisation’s staff. With great gratitude, I extend my thanks to them for their continued commitment to excellence in all that YACVic does.

Underpinning this work are YACVic’s countless volunteers, who give so generously of their time to support YACVic’s work and without whom so much of our success would not have been possible.

I look forward to welcoming in the new year with all its opportunities for further growth and development of our organisation.

James Campbell Co Chair

Jan Farrell Co Chair

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 3

CEO’s Report As I head into my 12th year at the helm of this terrific organisation, I feel both reflective about the past and enthusiastic about the future. One only has to glance through this substantial report to see the breadth and depth of activity we have undertaken over the last 12 months. Read a little further, and you will see there are recurring issues that will continue to require our efforts into the future.

We could not have developed these strengths as an organisation without the following vital ingredients:

YACVic has three key strengths:

●● Secure government funding

Our reputation in the community as a tireless advocate for both young people and the sector that supports them

●● A hard-working and dedicated staff team

Our ability to produce high quality, evidence-based work that assists in policy development both within the sector and across government The partnerships and collaborations we forge and foster to ensure our effectiveness as a peak body

●● An active membership base, many of whom give hours of volunteer time to YACVic

This organisation’s commitment to youth participation remains steadfast. It is not, as Roger Holdsworth reminds us all, a box to be ticked, but a value that should be reflected throughout our

●● A strong commitment to meaningful youth participation ●● A talented board

I am enormously grateful to be working in an organisation that is blessed with these things. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to you, our members, for your on-going support and guidance of our work.

Without your support, our relevance as a peak body would be greatly diminished.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 4

CEO’s Report

organisation, at all levels and in all of our work.

We don’t always get it right. It’s often tricky and challenging, costly and time-consuming, but it is vital.

YACVic’s Board continue to guide and support all of our work. The Board, elected from our membership, give their time each month to consider the difficult issues, discuss the best strategy and ensure oversight within the organisation. I am indebted to James Campbell, YACVic’s Co-chair, who has led the Board over the last 12 months with a cool head, insightful analysis and intelligence. My thanks also goes to Jan Farrell, Co-chair, who has played a supporting role to James and offered valuable support and advice to both James and I over the year.

Secure funding – the foundation of any not-forprofit – is obviously vital to our continued success as an organisation. While YACVic has managed to diversify our funding sources over the last seven years, going from one key government funding stream to as many as six or seven in some years, the fact remains: we are reliant on a secure

source of government funding to undertake our work. I am unapologetic about this. I believe that, in any healthy democracy, governments have a responsibility to fund peak bodies that represent the interests of groups and individuals that would not otherwise have access to the power and decisionmaking processes of government. Of course we, in turn, must be accountable for this funding and ensure there is value provided for the investment made. I can confidently say the return on investment the state government gets from YACVic is both significant and impressive.

I honoured to lead such a vibrant, insightful and thoughtful staff team. Every day at YACVic is challenging, exciting, interesting and productive. I am so fortunate to have a group of people around me who understand young people and the sector, who think intelligently about their work, represent the sector and our organisation brilliantly and who just work damn hard on the issues that matter.

Thanks, team YACVic!

YACVic turns 55 next year. So although we are not so young ourselves, we continue to remain relevant and connected by virtue of our engaged membership, the young people we work closely with, and the many volunteers we are blessed to have.

2015 will be a year of reflection and planning as we undertake the work necessary in putting together our strategic plan for 2016-2021. I am energised and excited at the thought of this work and look forward to working with you all in the years ahead.

Georgie Ferrari, YACVic CEO

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 5

24

3,902

Most Facebook page likes in the one day

277

Young members

Students who attended the VicSRC regional conferences

at least 4172 KMs travelled by the rural worker

6

hours training sessions and events in rural and regional communities

Young people through the YACVic doors

Policy presentations delivered ‘Signposts’ ebulletins sent Times Liz yelled at us to clean out the fridge

How do I become a youth worker?

Code of Ethical Practice Publications by Policy Area Studying Youth Work Top four pages on the YACVic website (after the homepage)

8

media mentions

47% increase in Facebook likes (1,392 likes)

275

2,132 Twitter followers (46.5% increase*)

Forums, advisory bodies and networks that YACVic staff contributed to

27,980

7

Graduates of the VYMA’s Quality Assurance Program

Unique visitors to yacvic.org.au

a growing community

* Increases compare 2013/14 to previous financial year 2012/13

About YACVic Our Vision

Mission

Who We Are

A Victorian community in which all young people are valued as active participants, have their rights recognised, and are treated fairly and with respect.

YACVic will work to achieve this vision by:

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 Human Services through the Office for Youth.

●● listening to and working with young people and the workers and organisations who support them ●● identifying issues that affect young people ●● advocating on issues that affect young people ●● supporting and resourcing the sector that works with young people ●● supporting young people’s participation and self-advocacy

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).

maintaining an independent and robust relationship with government. In doing this YACVic will maintain a focus on those in our community who are most disadvantaged and marginalised.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 7

Guiding Principles YACVic’s work will be guided by the following principles:

Human Rights are the universal rights that every human being is entitled to enjoy and have protected. YACVic will work to protect the human rights of young people.

Inclusion. Recognising the diversity of young people and the sector that supports them, YACVic strives to consider the needs and views of all young people and those who work with them.

people in all aspects of decision making. YACVic will work within a youth participation framework.

Empowerment. YACVic assists young people in gaining the skills they need to advocate for themselves. YACVic works from a strengths-based approach, both with young people and the sector that supports them.

Collaboration is the process of a number of

Leadership. As the peak body and leading

Participation is the active involvement of young

people or organisations collectively working together in a way that achieves a greater result than as a single unit.

youth policy advocate in Victoria, YACVic has a leadership role in the work we do with young people and the sector.

Integrity guides the way YACVic staff and volunteers conduct themselves. We are committed to honesty and ethical behaviour at all times.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 8

Organisational Structure nominate

Policy Advisory Group (PAG) 6-15 positions

appoint

members

advise

Board of Governance up to ten positions including five young people

elect

appoint

nominate

governs

Chief Executive Officer

manages

Secretariat

advise

Youth Reference Group (YRG) 6-15 positions The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 9

Meet the Team

Left to right from top: Georgie Ferrari, YACVic CEO; Dr Jessie Mitchell, Manager of Policy and Projects (from Jan 2014); Leo Fieldgrass, Manager of Participation and Development (from Jan 2014); Liz Leahy, Office and Events Coordinator; Catalina Sinclair, Communications Officer; Ian Johnson, Finance Officer; Krista Seddon, VicSRC Coordinator (from June 2013); Dr. George Taleporos, YDAS Manager; Niki Sheldon, YDAS Human Rights Advocate (from Oct 2013); Madeleine Sobb, YDAS Projects (from Jan 2014); Claire East, VYMA Communications & Admin Officer; Greg Kennedy, KYC Statewide Coordinator; Elisha Douglas, KYC Project Officer (from Dec 2013); Jen Rose, Manager of Policy and Projects (mat leave till June 2014, now resigned); Clare Waldron, VMYA Coordinator (until July 2014); Kylie Emonson, Rural Youth Services Support and Advocacy Officer; (Jan-Jun 2014); Jarrod Marrinon, WebWise Coordinator & Online Initiatives (YDAS) (until Sep 2013); Jen Morris, Human Rights Officer (YDAS) (until Oct 13); Linda Randall, Manager, Participation & Sector Development (until Dec 2013); Robert MacGuiness, KYC Project Officer (until Sep 2013); Lisa Morstyn, Policy & Research Officer (until Dec 2013); Rebecca Feldman, YDAS Project Worker (until Oct 13); Kate Walsh, VicSRC Coordinator (until July 2013).

Meet the Team YACVic saw an higher than usual number of staff leave in the past 12 months*. For a long time at YACVic we’ve enjoyed very low rates of staff turnover. The flip side of that fact is eventually people do leave. In the last 12 months we’ve seen several long-serving and dedicated staff members decide to move on. These include Jen Rose, our manager of policy and projects, who began working at YACVic in 2003; Bec Feldman, YDAS project officer, who served in her role for five years; Linda Randall, our development and participation manager, who gave over three years of service; Kate Walsh, VicSRC coordinator, who left after four years with us and Lisa Morstyn, who started as a volunteer in 2009. We particularly want to acknowledge and thank those long-serving staff members who have left the YACVic family. Other staff departures were mainly due to the fact that project funding for these roles had ceased. *These are all shown in black and white in the grid of staff photos on the previous page.

Current YACVic staff. Not pictured: Ian Johnston, Greg Kennedy, Niki Sheldon, Elisha Douglas.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 11

Membership YACVic had 291 members at the end of the 2013-14 financial year.

Achieving this number of members was aided by members having the ability to sign up and pay online for the first time. More members are taking advantage of the discount offer when signing up for multiple years of membership!

46.7% members (youth)

38.8% organisational members

Individual Member Local Government Metro Local Government Rural/Regional Organisation income <100K Organisation income 100–500K Organisation income 500k–1M Organisation income >1M Reciprocal Under 25

14.4% members (individual)

Other

Total members

26 20 18 2 18 9 32 14 135 19 291

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 12

Board of Governance Clockwise from top left: Jan Farrell, Anastasia Giggins, Samantha McClelland, Dean Barnett, Paul Bird, Khan Churchill, Morgan Cataldo, Kerrie Loveless, James Campbell and Jerri Nelson.

Not pictured: Jo Swift, Paul Turner.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ Annual Report 2013-14 â&#x20AC;˘ 13

3730

Views of Yerp - young people making change www.yerp.org.au

436

Pots of tea!

106

people attended the Building the Scaffolding forum in October.

1750+

11 Youth Reference Group (YRG) meetings

recipients of YACVic Announce and Updates

Ears (420+ people) listened to our conference presentation on youth engagement

64

#KYS2014

tweets using the hastag

16

promoting the Koorie Youth Summit

small grants allocated (including the Equip Grant Program)

Organisational Members 2013-14 Association for Children with a Disability Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS) Australian Drug Foundation Australian Red Cross Victoria Banyule City Council Banyule Community Health Banyule Nillumbik LLEN Barwon Adolescent Task Force (BATFORCE) Bass Coast Shire Council Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN

Brotherhood of St Laurence Campaspe Cohuna LLEN Capital City LLEN Cardinia Shire Council Carers Victoria Centacare Ballarat Central Grampians LLEN Central Ranges LLEN Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)

Bayside City Council

City of Boroondara Youth Services

Berry Street

City of Casey

Brophy Family & Youth Services Inc.

City of Darebin Youth Services

City of Greater Bendigo Youth Services City of Greater Dandenong City of Melbourne City of Port Phillip City of Whittlesea City of Wodonga City of Yarra Connect Student Magazine Connections UnitingCare CREATE Foundation Darebin Community Health East Gippsland Shire Council Express Media Gannawarra Shire Council

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 15

Organisational Members 2013-14 Geelong Performing Arts Centre

Inner Eastern LLEN

Mitchell Shire Council

South East LLEN

Geelong Region LLEN

Inner Northern LLEN

Moreland City Council

South Gippsland Shire Council

Glenelg Shire Council

Jesuit Social Services

South West LLEN

Goulbourn Murray LLEN

Kids Under Cover

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Goulburn Murray LLEN

Kildonan Uniting Care

Hanover Southern Housing and Support Service

Knox Youth Services

headspace Barwon headspace Central West Gippsland Highlands LLEN Hobart City Council

Latitude: Directions for Young People Macedon Ranges Shire Council Manningham City Council Manningham YMCA Inc

Hobsons Bay City Council

Maribyrnong & Moonee Valley LLEN

Holmesglen Institute of TAFE

Maribyrnong City Council

Hume City Council Youth Services

Maroondah City Council Youth Services

Hume Whittlesea LLEN

Melboune Uni Library

Incolink

Mildura Rural City Council Youth Services

Murrindindi Shire Council North Central LLEN North East LLEN

St Kilda Youth Service Inc St. Lukes Anglicare State Library of Victoria Stonnington Youth Services

North Richmond Community Health Centre

Swan Hill Rural City Council

Northern District Community Health Service

The Salvation Army – Eastcare

The Push Incorporated

Northern Mallee LLEN

UN Youth Victoria

OZCHILD

UnitingCare Cutting Edge (UCCE)

Quantum Support Services

University of Ballarat

Reach Foundation

Upper Yarra Community Health

Rural City of Wangaratta

Victoria University – Youth Studies

Salvation Army – Crossroads/ Youth & Family Services

Victorian Blue Light State Council Inc

Shire of Campaspe

Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 16

Victorian Electoral Commission Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)

Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) Youth Coalition of the ACT

Victorian Trades Hall Council

Youth Connect

Volunteering Victoria

Youth Projects Ltd.

Warrnambool City Council

Youthlaw

Word and Mouth

YSAS Pty Ltd

World Vision Australia

Please note that for privacy reasons YACVic does not publish details of individual members.

Wyndham City Council Youth Service YMCA Victoria Youth Action & Policy Association NSW (YAPA) Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA) Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA)

YACVic would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our members for their ongoing support.

Youth Sector Development YACVic code poster artworkmaster.pdf 1 7/29/2014 2:01:27 PM

Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian Youth Sector

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

When we work with young people, we think about what we do – we use the Code to guide our thinking.

Code of Ethical Practice Project YACVic and the Victorian Government Office for Youth (OfY) worked with the Victorian youth sector to further promote the Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian Youth Sector (the Code).

This project was overseen by a reference group comprised of key youth sector stakeholders, including representatives from the Victorian Government, local government agencies, and notfor-profit organisations.

●● gather examples of the way the Code is used to guide practice discussions and in policy development ●● research and test tools and other materials that would be useful to assist organisations in embedding ethical practice into all work that occurs with young people.

Phase two consultation was via:

There were two phases of consultation with the wider youth sector: phase one took place between December 2013 and February 2014, via an online survey designed to collect information about use of the Code. There were 151 responses.

●● Three focus groups – one in a metropolitan Melbourne area (Footscray), one in a regional Victorian area (Ballarat) and one in an ‘urbanfringe’ area (Pakenham) – co-facilitated by YACVic and OfY and attended by 67 participants representing a broad representation of youth sector roles and settings.

Phase two consultation occurred in March and April 2014, to

●● Eight one-to-one interviews with key youth sector stakeholders.

●● further draw out the findings of the phase one survey

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • page 18

Youth Sector Development This research found that the Code is a key document for the Victorian youth sector. It plays an important role in creating a collective identity for practitioners who work with young people and provides a framework through which the values of the discipline are taught, reinforced and enacted.

The full research reports on each phase of consultation can be downloaded at on the YACVic website at www.yacvic.org.au.

While the results of consultation found little support for making revisions to the original Code document, there was strong support for the idea of developing companion resources to support use and implementation of the Code.

Responding to this, YACVic and OfY produced A guide to the Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian Youth Sector, an eight page, A5 booklet that explains the Code’s youth work practice responsibilities, issues around duty of care and legal obligations, and how to challenge unethical behaviour. This resource folds to an A2 poster showing the full youth work practice responsibilities.

Copies can be ordered via info@yacvic.org.au.

In addition, we’ve created easy to use PDF info sheets giving advice on: 1. How to include the Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian Youth Sector in staff and volunteer recruitment and induction 2. How to include the Code in staff and volunteer supervision 3. How to include the Code in contracting, funding and partnership agreements 4. How to make the Code part of your organisation (agency implementation tool) 5. How your organisation can commit to the Code 6. Legal responsibilities when working with young people

10 new tools created to support ethical practice in the Victorian youth sector 226 people took part in consultations for the Code of Ethical Practice Project Victorian youth sector supported to practice ethical youth work

7. How to challenge unethical behaviour 8. How to make the Code relevant to young people.

These info sheets can be downloaded at www. yacvic.org.au/code.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 19

Youth Sector Development HEY Project and HEY Grants

Projects that were funded

The Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) Project is a $4 million State Government investment over four years (2011-15). The HEY Project aims to improve the mental health and quality of life for same sex attracted and sex and gender diverse (SSASGD) young Victorians. Part of this funding is distributed as the HEY Grants, which provide one-off funding to innovative, local projects. YACVic administers the HEY Grants on behalf of the Department of Health.

In the 2013-14 year YACVic distributed $189,297 to 10 projects. The HEY Committee received a total of 34 applications, with a total of $955,714.00 requested. This reflects the demand for small grant funding in the youth LGBTI service space.

●● Clearly demonstrated links between project outcomes and community need ●● Included young people directly in the development of the proposal and/or in determining the ongoing direction of the project ●● Took innovative and creative approaches to engagement ●● Demonstrated ongoing investment in the project from their organisation.

A full list of funded projects for the 2013-14 year can be found at http://bit.ly/1CTu4zS

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 20

YACVic has since used Building the Scaffolding as a key source to inform our platform for the Victorian state election in November 2014.

Policy and Research 2013-14 has been an eventful year in the policy space at YACVic. We consulted with the sector and made submissions to state and federal governments on issues ranging from cyber-safety to the restructuring of the service sector; from social inclusion for young people with disabilities, to the role of philanthropy in supporting youth projects.

YACVic continues to build on the extensive work undertaken in 2012-13 with the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS): Building the Scaffolding: strengthening support for young people in Victoria.

In October 2013, YACVic hosted an event with VCOSS for 90 service providers at the Fitzroy Town Hall, to profile the findings of the report, discuss where to go from here, and hear from government and sector presenters about key issues such as the development of area-based governance, strengthening support for children in the ‘middle years’ (8-12), and developing models of outcomes measurement for individuals and organisations.

One our most important policy projects during the first half of 2014 was the development of a state election platform. YACVic made 45 recommendations to candidates in the upcoming election, across areas including housing, mental health, education, mentoring, disability, justice diversion, and employment and training, drawing on sources including YACVic’s member survey, the 2013 YOUth Untitled forum, and data from the ABS, DEECD and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

YACVic has also been vocal in raising concerns about the impacts of the 2014-15 federal budget, following the defunding of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), and in response to numerous calls from our members. Key issues likely to affect young people and youth services include reforms to social security which may result in young people being denied income support for 12 months out of every 18; the cessation of federal funding to the Youth Connections program and the Local Learning and Employment Networks; the predicted rise in the costs of many university degrees; and the proposal to introduce co-payments for GP services, out-of-hospital pathology and X-rays, and medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. YACVic has advocated on these issues in collaboration with other state youth peaks, and with key Victorian bodies such as VCOSS, the Council to Homeless Persons, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

Meanwhile, YACVic has developed a proposed model to inform how the Victorian Government works with services supporting young people: Youth Service Sector Participation in DHS Local Area Policy and Planning. This piece of work considered how the youth support sector could best connect with government, following the closure of most of the Regional Youth Affairs Networks, and in light of the restructuring of Department of Human Services regions, the findings of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children inquiry, and the initiation of Children and Youth Area Partnerships.

After preliminary consultations with the sector, and drawing upon the findings of Building the Scaffolding and a literature review concerning collective impact approaches to social change, YACVic released a draft model for comment.

Sector feedback was then used to inform a final proposed model, which situated itself within current developments concerning service sector reform and the government’s strategy: Victoria’s Vulnerable Children: Our Shared Responsibility.

Key messages received from the sector included: ●● The importance of keeping ‘young people’ as a visible category in service planning, recognising the particular challenges faced by people aged 12-25 and the expertise of the youth services which support them. ●● The need for clear, effective, respectful communication between services and government. ●● The importance of engaging with existing brokerage bodies and networks.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 21

Policy and Research ●● The need to ensure that any consultative or collaborative mechanisms are adequately resourced to achieve their aims. ●● The value of diverse, committed and targeted membership for any such mechanism, at an appropriate level of seniority to authorise decision-making. ●● The value of accurate, accessible data and research partners. ●● The usefulness of an area-based approach, if it provides greater flexibility, resourcing and authorising power to communities. ●● The need for a state-wide mechanism to bring together youth sector representatives to share information and solutions, identify policy concerns, plan strategic responses to new laws, policies and plans, and build relationships with ministers and senior departmental staff.

This proposed model was informed by 11 in-person consultations with youth sector networks in different parts of Victoria, and 62 sector responses to the draft model.

The final proposed model has been submitted to the Victorian Government and is due for public release shortly.

Policy papers submitted to the Office for Youth 2 policy papers ●● Philanthropy and youth support in Victoria.

Informed by a survey of 46 services ●● The Corporate Sector supporting Young People in Victoria.

Submissions 6 submissions made ●● Senate Select Committee on Cyber-Safety, about addressing the issue of sexting by minors ●● Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Inclusion and Victorians with a Disability.

Submission made in partnership with the Youth Disability Advocacy Service ●● KPMG’s Development of a local networks model, to inform recommendations to the Vulnerable Children Reform Unit ●● The Youth Affairs Interdepartmental Committee – presentation about issues facing children in the ‘middle years’ (8-12) ●● Victoria Policy Community Consultation – YACVic endorsement of the responses by Smart Justice for Young People and the Centre for Multicultural Youth, concerning youth protocol, racial profiling, cultural competence and police training ●● Transition to Independent Living Allowance changes – a submission to the Hon. Kevin Andrews by seven youth peak bodies.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 22

Policy and Research Forums, committees and advisory bodies

●● Churchill Fellowship Trust – community services selection panel

Policy advice provided to 14 forums and advisory bodies

●● VicHealth’s Youth Mental Health Expert Panel

●● Human Services and Health Partnership Implementation Committee (HSHPIC) ●● DEECD-CSO Partnership Governance Group ●● Smart Justice for Young People steering group, and Diversion Working Group ●● Ministerial Advisory Council on a Multilingual and Multicultural Victoria ●● The Violence against Women and their Children Forum (convened by DHS) ●● The Adult, Community and Further Education Youth Taskforce ●● Schoolies Week Interagency Steering Committee ●● Victoria Police consultation on community engagement, including focus group with youth organisations at YACVic ●● VCOSS consultations and roundtables concerning service sector reform, and DEECD education restructuring ●● Education Engagement Partnership (EEP) Project – discussion about how to align their work on ethical practice with YACVic’s Code of Ethical Practice

Presentations 6 policy presentations delivered

●● ‘Two way street: Young people informing improvements to education and service delivery’ (Stepping Out, Breaking Through: Choices and ●● Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Youth Grants Panel.

Challenges in Education, Deakin University Geelong conference). ●● Kids Under Cover/DHS Scholarship Selection Panel

●● ‘Young people and out-of-home care in rural and regional communities’ (2nd Annual Out-of-Home Care Summit, Sydney). ●● ‘YACVic’s response to the Australian Human Rights Commission on Protection from Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity’ (presentation to University of Melbourne students). ●● ‘Young people and Cyber-Safety’ (presentation to the Office for Youth’s Youth Partner Network). ●● ‘What Makes You Tweet? Young people’s perspectives on the use of social media as an engagement tool’ (presentation to the Knox Youth Service Providers Network). ●● ‘YACVic’s work as a peak body for young people and the youth sector’ (presentation to Australian Catholic University students). ●● Lord Mayors Charitable Trust ‘Youth at Risk’ forum

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 23

Policy and Research Policy Advisory Group (PAG) members during 2013-14 Jennifer Brice (The Reach Foundation – from May 2014) Philippa Cane (University of Ballarat) Vicki Cooper (City of Whittlesea) Sarah Davies (The Reach Foundation – ‘til March 2014) Keelia Fitzpatrick (Victorian Trades Hall Council – until July 2013) Lyn Fletcher (Berry Street) Robyn Freestone (Youth Support and Advisory Service) Paula Grogan (Victorian Council of Social Service) Stephanie Kilpatrick (YACVic’s Youth Reference Group) Kerrie Loveless (City of Yarra)

YACVic sincerely thanks members from the PAG 2013-14 for their dedicated work.

Jacqueline Macgee (Foundation for Young Australians – from May 2014) Tim Moore (Australian Catholic University – from May 2014) Piergiorgio Moro (Centre for Multicultural Youth) Marisa Uwarow (City of Port Philip) Edward Vong (United Nations Youth Australia)

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 24

Participation Yerp YACVic created a fantastic new resource for Victoria’s young people and those who work with them by launching Yerp (www.yerp.org.au). This is an innovative online toolkit for 12-25 year olds who want to make change in their communities. It’s also a practical guide for organisations and groups who want to engage young people in what they do.

Yerp’s information-packed website is perfectly suited to smartphones and mobile devices. Its unique, fun design has been developed in consultation with over 300 young people and youth sector workers throughout Victoria. Yerp has ten instructional topic areas, ranging from skills building and project planning to use of the media. Each area contains a number of ‘how to’ articles, downloadable factsheets and video examples.

Yerp supports one big idea – that young people have an important role in shaping the present and future of Victoria’s communities. We know that lots of young Victorians volunteer their time to improve the lives of others. Yerp will give them the tools to continue this work and encourage more young people to get involved in their local area.

Yerp will also give community groups and local councils practical advice to better involve young people in what they do. It supports YACVic’s vision for a Victorian community in which all young people are valued as active participants. Meaningfully involving young people ensures a stronger and better community for everyone, and that’s what Yerp is all about.

The Yerp project was funded by the Victorian Government. It is based upon YACVic’s 2004 youth participation handbooks, Taking Young People Seriously.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 25

Participation Youth participation workshops and presentations YACVic provided presentations and workshops on youth engagement and participation for: ●● City of Greater Dandenong Youth Network ●● Cardinia Shire young leaders ●● Wodonga City Council’s Young Leaders program ●● Maribyrnong Youth Network

YACVic presented the following conference papers on youth participation: ●● ‘The future of youth engagement’ (2013 National Youth Affairs Conference) ●● ‘Beyond skate parks and drop-in centres: Creating opportunities for young people’s engagement in community planning’ (2013 National Youth Affairs Conference)

●● Banyule and Nillumbik Youth Service Network

●● ‘Two way street: Young people informing improvements to education and service delivery’ (Stepping out, breaking through: choices and challenges in education)

●● Youth work and community services students at RMIT, ACU, VU and Kangan Institute

●● ‘What is ‘youth engagement’ and where can we take it?’ (2013 ACT Youth Affairs Conference)

●● Canteen National Youth Cancer Network conference

YACVic contributed to Youth Participation - A Best Practice Guide, a framework for effective youth participation developed by the Australian Child Rights Task and the University of Melbourne Graduate Certificate of Applied Learning and Leadership program.

●● Knox Youth Service Providers Network ●● Inner City RYAN

●● World Vision youth team ●● Youth Workers’ Association forum on youth work and online engagement

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 26

Participation Youth Reference Group (YRG) The Youth Reference Group (YRG) is a diverse group of young advocates who work with YACVic to address issues facing young people in Victoria.

In September 2013, the YRG held YOUth Untitled, a youth-led policy forum that brought together over 80 young people and 25 youth sector workers.

Participants discussed three core topics: secondary education, youth wellbeing and LGBTQI rights and equality. The findings and recommendations from the event were compiled into a set of policy briefings for the Victorian Government.

This year the YRG have also: ●● undertaken further research and advocacy around the YOUth Untitled issues ●● presented to the senior management of the Department for Education and Early Childhood Development ●● consulted with the Department of Health about youth health matters.

Advocacy and Communication YACVic is committed to producing and communicating diverse and engaging content on youth affairs to young people, government, and the sector.

We make use of traditional media, social media and our diverse networks, both digital and physical, to widely promote our policy voice across government and the community.

Media Mentions

Communications Statistics

Sam McColl part of group leading the way for Victoria’s youth, The Ararat Advertiser, Sep 20 2013

1,392 Facebook likers, an increase of 47%.

Student leaders speak out, The Bendigo Advertiser, Sep 21, 2013 Students push for unisex bathrooms at schools, Herald Sun Oct 3 2013 Busy year for Youth Action Council, The Stawell Times-News, Oct 18, 2013 Stawell volunteers sought for youth referral program, The Stawell Times-News, Apr 22 2014 Youth Action Council impresses minister, The Stawell Times-News, Mar 25 2014 Students get to have their say on homework, The Age, Apr 29, 2014 High school students haunted by higher university fees, The Age, May 31 2014

2,132 Twitter followers, an increase of 46.5%.

4 editions of Yikes!, our member newsletter 8 media releases 27,980 visitors to www.yacvic.org.au over 40,633 sessions 96,546 page views, an increase of 18.5%.

66% were new visitors Top four pages (after the homepage), How do I become a youth worker?, Code of Ethical Practice, Publications Listed by Policy Area, Studying Youth Work

79% of visitors used a desktop to access the YACVic site, with 15% using a mobile device and 6% a tablet.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 28

Advocacy and Communication Media Releases

ebulletins

1 July 2013 Prominent names feature in a video campaign that tackles the concerning issue of cyber safety Monday

Announce is YACVic’s regular email news bulletin, going out to 1,750+ subscribers across Victoria with the latest news, training and events and employment opportunities. 10 editions of Announce were sent out to the sector. It is a broad reaching e-bulletin with recipients spanning from young people to academics.

13 March 2014 Inquiry into sexual abuse in state care shows the value of having an independent ‘watchdog’ 2 April 2014 YACVic launches Yerp - Young people making change 7 May 2014 State budget a mixed bag for Victoria’s young people 13 May 2014 Youth Disability Advocacy Service and YACVic launch the Youth Disability Rights Hub 13 May 2014 Federal Budget 2014: Young people with disabilities call for jobs not a life in poverty 15 May 2014 Federal Budget Tells Young People ‘You are on your own’: Youth Peaks

YACVic Updates is YACVic’s e-newsletter. There were 10 editions in the 2013-14 financial year, going out to 1750+ recipients.

Signposts is a bi-monthly email news 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. Six bulletins were produced in 2013-14, sent to 490 recipients, an increase of 14.4% from last financial year.

29 May 2014 Federal budget 2014-15: Response from the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 29

Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP) The Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP) delivers a high quality system of adult volunteers called ‘Independent Persons’ who attend police interviews with young people in police custody when a parent or guardian is not available.

YRIPP also seeks to divert young people from future offending through early intervention at the point of police contact.

YRIPP is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria in partnership with community legal centres, UnitingCare and Victoria Police.

YRIPP recently marked 10 years of support for young people in police custody with a celebration at the Melbourne Town Hall. Deputy Police Commissioner Lucinda Nolan, Mr David Southwick MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services and Mr Wade Noonan MP, Shadow Minister for Police joined CMY and YACVic

as we acknowledged the significant contributions of YRIPP volunteers, police and partner organisations.

In 10 years YRIPP has had nearly 1000 active volunteers who have attended nearly 20,000 police interviews with vulnerable young people. During this period, volunteers have made almost 5000 referrals to support services for young people.

In 2013-14 YRIPP achieved: 3089 young people (aged from 10-18 years) were supported at one of 140 police stations throughout Victoria.

186 new volunteers were recruited and trained. 105 new volunteers completed training and became active with the program. All volunteers received over 20 hours of training before starting on the YRIPP roster.

In 94% of cases, a YRIPP volunteer attended the police station the police station within 60 minutes of receiving the call from the call centre (24/7).

All participating police stations (147) have access to multilingual brochures for parents or guardians who attend police interviews with their children.

●● 73% male, 25% female ●● 15% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ●● 27% young people identify their cultural background as something other than Australian A 854 young people were referred to support services.

134 young people were provided with legal advice at the police station through YRIPP. 394 volunteers were involved with YRIPP.

Photo: Volunteers receiving awards for 10 years of service as an Independent Person volunteer with the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 30

Victorian Rural Youth Service This 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 2013-14, the rural initiative provided policy advice to government on diverse topics concerning the wellbeing and opportunities of rural and regional young people, as well as running a training calendar for workers and young people around the state, managing a small grants round, and keeping the rural sector in touch with news, research and opportunities for advocacy and professional development.

Training sessions and events 10 events in rural and regional communities ‘Eroticising Inequality’, with Maree Crabbe (Brophy Youth & Family Services, Warrnambool).

Sessions on engaging young people around respectful relationships and pornography, held in Torquay, Bendigo, Port Fairy and Kyneton. 119 attendees from youth services, local government, schools, health services, headspace, TAFE, CASAs, DHS and Victoria Police.

Regional Student Conferences, run with the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) and local stakeholders. Portland, Yarram, Geelong, Wangaratta, Bendigo and Ballarat. The conferences brought together 277 students from different schools to define key issues of concern and form strategies for speaking out locally and taking action. We were delighted by this opportunity to support the terrific models developed by the VicSRC. The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 31

Victorian Rural Youth Service Policy papers

Submissions

2 papers

1 submission

‘Young people maintaining connections with rural and regional communities’.

Submitted to the Minister for Youth. This paper considers the experiences of young people who grew up in rural or regional communities, left, and stayed in touch. Drawing on a literature review and a survey of 83 young people, it discusses the benefits of young people staying connected to their original communities, and what might influence them to live in rural areas in the future.

To the Regional Policy Advisory Committee (Regional Development Victoria), concerning their Investment Priorities Working Paper.

cooking programs. They are based in communities right around Victoria: Ballarat, Bass Coast, Bendigo, Boolarra, Daylesford, Geelong, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Mildura, Moira, Mount Alexander, Northern Grampians, Warrnambool, Wellington, Woodend and Wycheproof.

Small grants awarded

Bulletins

16 small grants allocated

6 e-bulletins distributed, to 490 recipients

In 2013-14 the VRYS initiative hosted the Equip Grant Program, which provides financial support to help rural and regional councils and organisations 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 decisionmaking. There was very strong demand for the grants. We received 105 applications for over $433,000, approximately seven times the amount available for distribution.

Signposts rural bimonthly e-bulletin, contains news, training opportunities, research updates and opportunities for workers and young people.

‘Rural young people in out-of-home care’.

Forwarded to the Minister for Human Services, the Children’s Commissioner, and Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Council, and made available online. Young people living in outof-home care are amongst the most vulnerable in Victoria, and rural and regional young people are overrepresented in the care system, with fewer support services to draw upon. This paper outlines these challenges, and describes new approaches to addressing the issue.

The successful applicants will use the funding to support a wide range of projects, such music and film festivals, theatrical performances, camping and

Committees and working groups Input provided to 4 advisory bodies Education Conference Reference Group (Deakin Geelong) Rural/regional law school (Deakin) advisory group Loddon Mallee Youth Partnerships Governance Board Yerp steering group

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 32

Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) The Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) is funded by the State Government’s Office for Disability to provide individual and systemic advocacy support to young people with disabilities between 12 and 25 across Victoria.

This year our individual advocacy service supported over 60 young people. This work involves working with the young person and in some cases with their families, to identify their advocacy goal and working with them to achieve the desired outcomes.

A common element of our advocacy is to assist people to understand their rights and communicate their needs.

This year the service received complaints from a significant number of young people who were being bullied at school, two young people who experienced family conflict, four who were relinquished by their parents and made homeless, and many young people received advocacy support because they were not receiving sufficient disability support services.

YDAS has supported young people with formal complaints to the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Disability Services Commission. We have supported young people with complaints against hospitals, the Department of Human Services and disability service providers.

With the financial support of the Legal Services Board Grants Program, the Youth Disability Rights hub website was launched during Law Week in May 2014. The hub provides a much needed resource for young Victorians with disability and it will assist them to know and defend their rights. The website is easily accessible on mobile devices. The mix of legal advice, including video interviews of experts, caters to a range of young people and their diverse preferences for accessing information.

With the support of the City of Melbourne, YDAS continued to work with SYN Media to deliver a youth radio show about disability and advocacy. The show ‘Raise the Platform’, was a finalist in the category The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 33

Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) of Best Diversity Program Award at the 2013 SYN Media Awards. In April 2014, YDAS and the City of Melbourne supported SYN Media to deliver a two day intensive training workshop. This resulted in six new young people joining the show and the group have gone on to have an additional two seasons on air.

Our work continues to be driven by the YDAS Steering Committee. This year saw some members stepping down, and some new members coming on board. The committee farewelled Jess Evans, Tess Pearce, Vassiliski Dandanis, Thomas Banks, and Luke Nelson. Some of these members had been on the committee since YDAS began, and their contributions will be missed. In early 2014, YDAS did a member recruitment drive and as a result, the Committee has five new members.

Sheldon commenced in November as a locum in the individual advocacy role and former steering committee member Madeleine Sobb commenced as our project officer. Nicki and Madeleine have been very welcome additions to our team.

One of the highlights on the policy front was our submission to the Inquiry into the Social Inclusion of Victorians with a Disability. YDAS steering committee member, Ariane Garner-Williams presented to the Inquiry her perspective on how government can improve access to the community for the people with disabilities.

Once again, we stayed true to our goal to give young people with disabilities in Victoria a stronger voice and to have their human rights upheld.

There were some significant staff changes, including the departure of our Project Officer and advocate Rebecca Feldman and fellow advocate and producer of the Youth Disability Rights Hub Jennifer Morris. Both Rebecca and Jennifer had made a fantastic contribution to our service and will be missed. On a positive note, Nicki The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ Annual Report 2013-14 â&#x20AC;˘ 34

Victorian Student Represetative Council (VicSRC) The Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) is the peak body representing secondary students in Victoria. Our vision is to make student voices heard at all levels and strengthen the capacity of Student Representative Councils to make a difference in their school and across the state.

VicSRC is funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD).

2013-2014 was a year of change and opportunity for VicSRC. In August 2013, students from across Victoria participated in Congress, our primary decision making event where resolutions are democratically made about the issues and projects VicSRC will tackle for the year ahead. Delegates voted in an entirely new student Executive team and a new coordinator started in the role in the same month. As a new team, we faced a steep learning curve, but we also brought new ideas and a fresh perspective to the organisation.

In addition to core funding received from the DEECD in 2013-2014, VicSRC received $50,000 to roll out ‘Teach the Teacher’: our model of schoolbased professional development for teachers which is initiated, organised and run by students. VicSRC provided training and support to ten schools around Victoria who completed the program. The project was externally evaluated and recommendations suggested for the continuation and expansion of the program.

VicSRC also contributed to education policy discussions with the State Government. With increased speaking engagements and consultation opportunities, VicSRC was recognised as a valued stakeholder in the education space within Victoria.

In 2014, VicSRC hosted 12 regional conferences with 616 students and 90 teachers from 94 schools attended conferences (an increase of 157% in student attendance from the 2012-13 financial year).

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 35

VicSRC

Key highlights for 2013-2014 include: VicSRC Executive

Congress

●● Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) Consultation – Strengthening pathways in senior secondary qualifications discussion paper.

Congress 2013 was held on August 2-3 at Oasis Campsite in Mt Evelyn. A total of 72 students attended from 34 schools. Over the two day camp, delegates participated in a formal parliamentarystyle Congress, where proposals were put forward, discussed, amended and voted upon. Decisions made at Congress formed the basis of the work of the new VicSRC Executive for the coming year.

Resolutions from Congress 2013 addressed:

●● Towards Victoria as a learning community reference group ●● Review of governance in Victorian government schools reference group ●● Managing extreme and challenging behaviour reference group (specialist schools) ●● School accountability and review ●● Parliamentary inquiry into the value of homework, where two VicSRC Executive members presented to the inquiry and took part in subsequent media coverage.

The VicSRC Executive is the student representatives elected annually to govern VicSRC. In 2013-2014 it continued to hold monthly meetings at the YACVic office. At these meetings, the Executive discussed the implementation of Congress resolutions and directed the work of the VicSRC. The Executive attended two training camps over the year. The first camp, held in September 2013, was run to introduce the newly elected 2013-2014 Executive to VicSRC and to establish a work plan for the year ahead. The second Executive camp ran in April, allowing the established Executive to receive skills training and do in-depth planning around the Congress 2014.

●● Technology ●● Learning ●● Curriculum ●● Sexual diversity ●● Teacher-Student relationships ●● Community

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 36

VicSRC

Conferences In 2014, VicSRC hosted 12 Regional conferences with 616 students and 90 teachers from 94 schools attended conferences – an increase of 157% in student attendance. The smallest conference was held at Portland Secondary College with 24 students and 4 staff in attendance. The largest conference was held at John Fawkner College with 56 students and 9 staff attending.

Students who attended the conferences worked on skills to build the capacity of their SRCs. They publicly defined a range of issues of concern to students, expressed student views on these issues, and highlighted roles of SRCs beyond traditional limits. Finally, students selected issues that were brought to Congress in the form of a resolution.

The priority issues discussed by students across all regions of Victoria were: ●● Technology (including appropriate use and lack of access). ●● Engagement with school, lack of motivation and disruptive behaviour in class. ●● Student wellbeing services and support (including access to confidential support and services in schools, mental health issues, peer pressure, bullying, ‘fitting in’ and self-esteem, and lack of sleep).

Recognition awards The SRC Recognition Awards were celebrated for their 5th year on Friday 2nd August 2013. Taking place during Congress at Oasis Campsite in Mt Evelyn, awards were offered in four categories: ●● Connect Award for Integration ●● Second Strike Award for Enterprise ●● VASSP Award for Informed Representation ●● VISTA Award for Outstanding Teacher Adviser Awards were presented to students, teachers and SRCs by Christine Fyffe MP, Member for Evelyn.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 37

VicSRC 418 students reached via online surveys

621 e-newsletter subscribers

244 Twitter followers 673 Facebook likes

Communications In the first half of 2013, VicSRC rolled out a new logo, new website and social media platform. The logo was designed to be youthful and fun but also professional.

The organisation moved to a monthly online VicSRC e-Newsletter instead of the more traditional paper newsletter. The first e-Newsletter was sent out in December 2013 to 407 people. By the end of the financial year, subscribers increased by 53%.

Facebook grew by 22% to 622 likes, and Twitter grew by 104% to 249 followers.

We have loved sharing stories written by the VicSRC Executive team, examples of student voice in schools, events, resources and opportunities for teachers and students.

2013/2014 VicSRC Executive (photo) Tess Shacklock, Templestowe College Emily Smith, Frankston High School Tevhid Ajkic, Minaret Secondary College Sarah Bibby, Bendigo Senior Secondary College Kristen Sellings, Yarram Secondary College Bridin Walker, Frankston High School Margaret Tran, Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School

Samantha Chapman, Casey Grammar School Jordyn Kruger, Mooroolbark College Ron Garcia, Lalor Secondary College Qais Sadat, Minaret Secondary College Sophie Williams, Highview College Bryan Tapping, Templestowe College Shannen Henrickson, Beaufort Secondary College

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 38

Koorie Youth Council (KYC) The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) is funded by the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and is the voice for Koorie youth in Victoria.

The 2013/2014 year marked another important step in the growth of the KYC. The KYC is continuing to strengthen its role as the key body representing the views, needs and aspirations of Koorie young people, with an expanding network and exciting opportunities to offer.

We acknowledge the invaluable work of the KYC members Bronnie, Sissy, Nayuka, Lucy, Megan and Ngaree, for their commitment, strong advocacy, and for guiding our activities throughout the year.

Koorie Youth Summit On the 7-8 May 2014, the KYC hosted the inaugural Koorie Youth Summit at Rydges Bell City, Preston.

The Summit was a tremendous success with 127 young Koorie delegates in attendance, from all corners of the state.

The purpose of the Summit was to connect likeminded young Koorie people to gain inspiration from one another, through expressing their passions and ideas in positive and empowering environment.

The program across the two days encompassed key note speakers, panel discussion on youth-led initiatives, and a host of workshops including; young Koories in business, world Indigenous rights, positive use of social media, and ‘how to make change’.

Delegates also had the opportunity to have their say on key issues and policy directions of the State Government including; youth addiction to ‘ice’ (methamphetamine) in our communities, and

improving the provision of education in Victoria for Koorie students.

The KYC is hoping to make the Summit an annual event.

Ricci Marks Award Gala Dinner This year for the first time, the KYC in partnership with the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, co-hosted the Ricci Marks Award as a gala dinner in conjunction with the Koorie Youth Summit.

The award was attended by over 250 guests who were on hand to celebrate the achievements of 31 nominees and the two worthy recipients who have demonstrated outstanding leadership.

This year’s recipients, Will Austin (17, Daylesford) and Lucy Rose Doolan (24, Mildura), both received a $5,000 bursary from the Office of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 39

Koorie Youth Council (KYC) Sunraysia Koorie Youth Network A proud achievements in 2013/2014 was the establishment of the Sunraysia Koorie Youth Network (SKYN). The SKYN was established in partnership with the YMCA, Department of Justice and the Mallee District Aboriginal Services to provide young Koorie people in the Sunraysia area, a place to have a voice on issues that impact their lives.

A Strong Voice As always the KYC has played an important role in advocating for Koorie youth across key areas of government policy. Notably the KYC has actively participated in the; Aboriginal Justice Forum, Human Services Aboriginal Round Table, Aboriginal Affairs Ministerial Roundtables, Victorian Government â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;iceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forums; and the development of the Koorie Education Strategy.

Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA) Supporting the Mentoring Sector

The Quality Assurance Project

In 2013-14, the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA) supported youth mentoring programs across Victoria to create strong, connected communities where young people reach their potential through quality mentoring experiences.

This was the second year of our auspice arrangement with YACVic.

After its launch in 2011, the Quality Assurance Project has gone from strength to strength. The initiative assesses mentoring programs against national standards and assists organisations to implement quality improvement measures. Seven organisations from across the state successfully completed the program in 2013-14. Participating organisations improved their mentoring programs in a range of different ways, from writing new policies and procedures to reviewing orientation activities for mentees.

VYMA maintained enthusiastic support of youth mentoring programs through a mix of consultation, training and online support. It continued the delivery of the Quality Assurance Project, a scheme that promotes the Australian standard for mentoring.

Training sessions were also conducted for new mentors in regional and metropolitan areas.

Highlights included VYMA’s keynote presentation at the New Zealand Youth Mentoring Conference, delivering ‘NRgize’ training in Canberra and Perth, and awarding the Youth Mentor of the Year Award to Daryl Collins, a volunteer at Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service.

The Quality Assurance Project was showcased at the New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network’s national conference to highlight the importance of standards in mentoring and continuous improvement.

2013/2014 VYMA Quality Assurance Project Graduates: (Program/organisation) Gippsland East Mentoring Program/ Workways Australia Limited Kildonan Youth Mentoring Program/ Kildonan Uniting Care Leaving Care Mentoring Program/ Junction Support Service Mentoring through Music/Stride Foundation Wodonga Council Youth Leadership Program/ Wodonga City Council Youth Mentoring Program/Melton City Council YMCA School Based Mentoring/YMCA Bass Coast

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 41

Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA) The End of an Era Unfortunately, despite its achievements, unexpected changes to funding arrangements meant that the organisation ceased operations at the end of the financial year.

The VYMA is proud of the strength it has added to the mentoring sector. Since its inception in 2006, it has fostered a strong and loyal membership, delivered an array of quality projects and established Victoria as a leader in the mentoring space.

VYMA would particularly like to acknowledge Sarah Johnson for her incredible work as the driving force behind VYMA for so many years. It would also like to thank Clare Waldron, VYMA Coordinator, and Claire East, VYMA Communications and Administration officer, as well as the former staff, board members and partners of VYMA. The work from this alliance will be used in the community sector for years to come.

New Youth Mentoring Hub Website Highlights of 2013/14 Despite the closure of the VYMA, this is not the Delivering NRgize training in end for youth mentoring support in Victoria: YACVic Canberra and Perth will launch a brand new youth mentoring website Presenting the keynote presentation in 2015.The Hub will preserve the projects and at the New Zealand Youth resources developed by the VYMA, ensuring Mentoring Conference Victorian youth mentoring organisations will Delivering mentor training sessions continue to receive the support required to run safe in regional and metro locations and sustainable programs. Thank you to the William Buckland Foundation for supporting us to futureDelivering the Quality proof online mentoring resources.

Assurance Project Designing an project brief for the evaluation of youth mentoring programs Awarding the annual Youth Mentor of the Year award.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ Annual Report 2013-14 â&#x20AC;˘ 42

Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance (VYMA) 2013 - 2014 Member List Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Baimbridge College Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN Bethany Foundation Big Brothers Big Sisters Bonnie Doon Community Group Borinya, Wangaratta Community Partnership Brimbank Youth Services Brotherhood of St Laurence Camperdown College Cara Incorporated Central Grampians LLEN Charlton College City of Casey City of Greater Geelong City of Wodonga Colac Area Health ECHO (Emerald Centre for Hope and Outreach) elev8 Youth Ltd Future Foundations Limited Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services Highlands LLEN

Hobson’s Bay Youth Services Hume Whittlesea LLEN Inner Eastern LLEN Inner Northern LLEN Jewish Care Junction Support Services Inc. Kids Under Cover Kids Under Cover Kildonan Uniting Care Living the Dream Foundation Inc Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation Mallee Accommodation Support Service Mallee Family Care Manningham YMCA Maribrynong and Moonee Valley LLEN Melton Shire Council Moira Youth Service New Hope Foundation Nillumbik Health North East LLEN Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE Pembroke Rural Prison Fellowship Australia – Victoria Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre

Stride Foundation The Bridge Youth Services The Helping Hand Project The Salvation Army Karinya The Wellington Inc Tomorrow Today Foundation Uniting Care Harrison Villa Maria Whitelion Wimmera South Mallee LLEN Workways Yarra Ranges Council YMCA Young Life Australia

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 43

Finance Report For the 2013-14 financial year YACVic returned an operating surplus of $66,627 increasing net assets to $495,011. YACVic remains in a strong financial position due to the diligent use of the organisations resources.

Income reduced by 14% from the prior year to $1,608,117 due to lower grant income received.

This reduction in grants received was due to several multiyear and one year grants for the financial year coming to an end at June 2013. As a result of the lower income management have reduced costs by 10%, in particular staffing costs, to reflect the reduced resources.

As at 30 June 2014 YACVic has cash reserves of $1,152,290 to fund its operations. Working capital remains strong with a 1.7 times which is an improvement over the previous year of 1.5 times.

My thanks to Ian Johnson who has overseen YACVic’s finances for the financial year. I also would like to thank Paul Bird for his time as Treasurer and Dean Barnett who fulfilled the role for part of last year.

David Anderson, Treasurer

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 44

Balance sheet as of 30 June 2014 2014 - $ Equity

Income statement for the year ended 30 June 2014

2013 - $ Restated

2014 - $

2013 - $

2014 - $

2013 - $

115,479

8,400

Income

Liabilities

Retained earnings

495,011

428,384

Accounts payable

9,820

46,777

Total equity

495,011

428,384

Other creditors

1,912

5,379

Administration charge Forums and training

44,274

9,392

35,144

35,342

Represented by:

Sundry accruals

25,363

28,228

Memberships

Current Assets

Provision for conferences/ programs/relocation

39,000

39,715

Conferences

10,860

35,414

Interest received

35,309

50,582

Petty cash

1,528

1,391

126,270

20,887

Cash at bank - NAB cash mgmt

21,973

9,129

Cash at bank - NAB term deposit

84,903

39,451

Cash at bank - NAB business cash maximiser

199,588

459,921

Cash at bank - MECU term deposit

718,028

690,616

Cash at bank - NAB business mgmt

Deposits

Provision for annual leave

39,685

70,325

Other income

Provision for long service leave

41,645

56,378

Government grants

Provision for parental leave

31,100

29,900

Other grants

Provision for GST/PAYG

39,783

37,832

481,500

580,236

19,330

25,583

Grants in advance Memberships in advance Conference registrations in advance

Total liabilities Total assets

729,138 495,011

15,420

26,958

1,321,785

1,412,835

29,846

295,008

1,608,117

1,873,931

Accommodation

106,607

97,505

Administration

258,197

105,115

Communication

56,326

59,589

6,766

7,919

466

8,532

Expenditure

920,353

Depreciation

428,384

Equipment purchase and maintenance

0

110

Leave provisions

-25,911

37,834

Accounts receiveable

49,862

99,847

Other staff costs

26,953

34,513

Prepayments/income not yet received

13,376

14,926

Publications and printing

16,342

21,990

8,053

7,642

Project costs

137,353

208,871

Salaries

793,763

959,401

Sector development and consultation

76,817

95,166

Superannuation contributions

72,070

87,073

7,688

11,089

1,541,490

1,712,339

66,627

131,692

Sundry debtors

1,215,528

1,336,278

Office furniture and equipment

101,477

98,550

Less accumulated depreciation

-94,412

-88,293

Non Current Assets

Furniture and fittings Less accumulated depreciation

7,065

10,257

14,294

14,294

-12,738

-12,092

1,556

Total Assets

2,202

8,621

12,459

1,224,149

1,348,737

Professional development training

Workcover

Operating surplus

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ Annual Report 2013-14 â&#x20AC;˘ 45

Statement of changes in equity ended 30 June 2014

Statement of cash flows ended 30 June 2014

Retained Earnings

Total

Retained earning at the beginning of the financial year

296,692

296,692

Profit (loss) attributable to the entity

131,692

Retained earnings at 30 June 2013 Restated Surplus attributable to the entity

Retained earnings at 30 June 2014

2014 - $ Cash flow from operating activities Receipts from customers

428,384

131,692

428,384

66,627

66,627

495,011

495,011

2013 - $

Interest payment Payments to suppliers and employees Net cash provided by operating activities

1,477,349

1,951,572

35,309

45,087

-1,578,946

-1,875,851

-66,288

120,808

Cash flow from investing activities Payments for property, plant and equipment

-2,927

-8,852

Net cash used in investing activities

-2,927

-8,852

Net increase in cash held

-69,215

111,956

Cash at beginning of the financial year

1,221,755

1,109,799

Cash at end of the financial year (note 1)

1,152,540

1,221,755

2014 - $

2013 - $

1,152,540

1,221,755

2014 - $

2013 - $

66,627

131,692

6,766

7,919

(Increase)/decrease in trade receivables

50,869

231,374

(Increase)/decrease in other current assets

666

-11,643

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

-146,328

-238,348

Increase/(decrease) in grants in provisions

-44,888

-186

-66,288

120,808

Note 1. Reconciliation of cash Cash at bank

Note 2. Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to operating profit Surplus for the year ended Depreciation Change in assets and liabilities

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria â&#x20AC;˘ Annual Report 2013-14 â&#x20AC;˘ 46

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 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 Incorporation 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.

The financial statements were authorised for issue on 15 October 2013 by the committee.

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 received relating to the following financial year is brought to account at balance date as income in advance.

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) Good 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). Receivable and repayable 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 receivable or payables in the assets and liabilities statement.

(c) Income Tax The association is exempt from paying income tax under section 50-45 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and subsequently has not been charged any income tax expense.

(d) Cash on Hand 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) Property, Plant and Equipment Leasehold improvements and office equipment are carried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation.

The depreciable amount of all PPE is depreciated over the useful lives of the assets to the association commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use.

(f) 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 assets, 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.

(g) Accounts Payable and Other Payables Accounts payable 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 amount normally paid within 30 days of recognition of the liability.

(h) 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.

(i) Comparative Figures Where required by Accounting Standards comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation for the current financial year.

When any 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.

Leasehold improvements are amortised over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • page 47

Finance Report

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • 48

Where we’ve been YACVic Core: Traralgon, Dandenong, Horsham, Portland, Lilydale, Geelong, Hamilton. Interstate: Sydney. Metro Melb: Prahran, Williamstown, Banyule, Knox, Fitzroy.

VRYS: Torquay, Bendigo, Port Fairy, Kyneton, Portland, Yarram, Geelong, Wangaratta, Ballarat, Echuca, Traralgon.

KYC: Ballarat, Mildura, Portland, Horsham.

VYMA: Castlemaine. Interstate: Perth, Canberra.

International: Auckland NZ.

YDAS: Kyneton, Frankston, Airport West, Sunbury, Kurunjang.

Melb Metro: Narre Warren, Ringwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Preston, Seaford, North Balwyn, Oak Park, Richmond, Ringwood North, Greensborough.

VicSRC: Bendigo, Yarram, Ballarat, Frankston/ Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Wangaratta, Portland, Portsea, Nayook, Somers, Bellarine Peninsula, Edenhope. Melb Metro: Delahy, Berwick, Heathmont, Fawkner, Melbourne 3000, Bentleigh, Narre Warren, Ringwood, Mont Albert.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • page 49

Thankyou Amy Jenkins

City of Whittlesea Youth Services

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

Krystal Walker

Annie Rowland and Pauline Neil (Macedon Ranges Shire Council)

City of Wyndham Youth Services

Helga Svendsen

Lachlan Hugo

Commission for Children and Young People

Hiba Casablanca

Leeona van Duynhoven (Brophy Family & Youth Services)

Associate Professor Kitty te Riele Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) Ballarat Youth Services

Council to Homeless Persons David Mould

Ian Potter Foundation Jacqueline Macgee, Foundation for Young Australians

Legal Services Board Grants Program Leigh Bartlett (Batforce)

Banyule Youth Services

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)

City of Casey Youth Services

Dr Michelle Blanchard

City of Greater Dandenong

Edward Vong, United Nations Youth Australia

Judith Rose

Marisa Uwarow, City of Port Philip

Kalinya Communications

Matthew Gordon, Our Say

Kate Wilde, VicSRC Regional Conference facilitator

Melbourne Citymission Conference Centre

City of Monash

Everyone who responded to YACVic’s surveys about philanthropy and the youth sector, and service sector policy and planning

Mick Turner

City of Moreland

Exodus Hoodies

Keelia Fitzpatrick, Victorian Trades Hall Council

City of Whitehorse

Harald Klein

Kerrie Loveless, City of Yarra

City of Hume City of Maroondah City of Melbourne

James Wynd

Lother Wahl

Jennifer Brice, The Reach Foundation

Lottie Turner

Jenny Mikakos MP

Lyn Fletcher, Berry Street

Khan Churchill

Newsboys Foundation Nigel Brand

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • page 50

Northern Territory Youth Affairs Network (NTYAN) Paula Grogan, Victorian Council of Social Service Philanthropy Australia Philippa Cane, University of Ballarat Piergiorgio Moro, Centre for Multicultural Youth Piper Huyen Rachel Jamieson

The Central Gippsland RYAN The former Wellington/East Gippsland RYAN

Vicki Cooper, City of Whittlesea

The Glenelg Youth Network

VicSRC Executive 2013 - 2014

The Hon. Minister for Education, Martin Dixon

Viv Brown

The Inner City RYAN The Korin Gamadji Institute

RE Ross Trust Richard Braun

The Salvation Army

Robyn Broadbent

The Southern Grampians Youth Network The Southern Melbourne RYAN

Roger Holdsworth

The University of Melbourne

ROSA – Residential Outdoor Schools Association

The Victorian Council for Social Service

Sally Reid

The Victorian Electoral Commission

Sarah Davies, The Reach Foundation

The Western LGA Coordinators network

Scott Duncan Stephanie Kilpatrick, YACVic’s Youth Reference Group SYN Media The Barwon youth services network The Bastow Institute for Educational Leadership

UN Youth Australia

The former Wimmera RYAN

The members of the VRYS steering committee

Robyn Freestone, Youth Support and Advisory Service

Tim Moore, Australian Catholic University

Young people who took part in YACVic consultations throughout the year Youth Action and Policy Association NSW (YAPA) Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA) Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) Youth Affairs Network of Tasmania (YNOT) Youth Coalition of the ACT

The William Buckland Foundation The Yerp Steering Committee The Youth Partnerships Advisory Board Eastern Metro (Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah) Tim Corney

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria • Annual Report 2013-14 • page 51

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 is for a Victorian community in which all young people are valued as active participants, have their rights recognised and are treated fairly and with respect.

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

October 2014