National Youth Week (NYW) is an annual, week-long celebration of young people (aged 12–25) throughout Australia.
It's a joint initiative of the Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments. It gives you an opportunity to express your ideas and views, act on issues that affect your lives. It also lets you have a lot of fun.
Basically, it's a week long party right across Australia where you get to participate in heaps of competitions, events and activities.
In 2012, National Youth Week will be held from 13 April to 22 April 2012.
Every National Youth Week has its own theme - the theme for NYW 2012 is "Imagine. Create. Inspire."
Victorian Young Member
21-year-old Frankston student Stephanie Raike has been chosen as the 2012 Victorian National Youth Week Young Member.
Stephanie will represent Victoria on the National Youth Week National Planning Group, which shapes NYW across Australia.
Stephanie has previously worked as a volunteer with the Salvation Army's Youth Street Teams. She has also worked as an L2P coordinator, providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people to obtain their probationary driver licence.
She has been a member of organisations such as the Oaktree Foundation, the Youth Advisory Council of Victoria (YACVic) and Amnesty International.
"We all have a role to play whether it's being a netball coach, volunteering with the Salvation Army or being informed about issues impacting young people and then doing something to make a difference," says Stephanie.
Stay tuned to youthcentral for a series of blogs by Stephanie in the lead-up to National Youth Week 2012.
National Youth Week Grants
In partnership with the Australian Government and beyondblue, through Youthbeyondblue, the Victorian Government is providing NYW grants of up to $2,000 to fund events that celebrate and recognise the contribution of young Victorians in local communities.
Applications for grants closed on 9 December, 2011. Thanks to everyone who applied. Stay tuned to youthcentral for announcements about successful grant applicants.
For further information on NYW 2012, please contact Kate Duncan at the Office for Youth on (03) 9935 3023 or email youthweek@dhs.vic.gov.au, and for more about National Youth week in 2012, check out www.youthweek.com (new window).
