News from Byron Youth Service

March E-News

In This Issue

Latest News

Youth Voices

Upcoming Courses

Programs & Activities

Project U-Turn

Turning the Tide

Byron Youth Service Team

Greetings!

I can't believe its already March and Bluesfest is just around the corner! But here we are - time seems to constantly speed up doesn't it!

Things at BYS are speeding up too - we have two new courses starting this month (hospitality and event management)- the school crew are back - our youth workers are busy supporting young peeps - Friday nights is ready to re-open with a YACROCKCAFE (a new music café program) and 2 Grom Comps, one is going to liven up Suffolk Park in a few weeks and the Bluesfest Grommit Comp happening @ the YAC!

While it's all hands on deck for those programs, we are also busy cranking up a whole new fundraising concept! Our exciting new concept will help us to tackle one of this country's biggest problems- binge drinking - and with yesterday's announcement that only 1 in 5 Australians are able to identify safe drinking levels it has really highlighted the need to continue important projects that we have started like Project U-Turn, Street Cruise and the Mobile Outreach Bus if we are to reach out and make a difference with our local kids.

So please stay tuned for an opportunity to get involved in our fundraising efforts and events. The government funding we had to start these projects will be ending very soon and we will be directing all of fundraising money to continue these vital projects until we can get our new fundraiser off the ground. So if you are looking to donate any money this year - please think about BYS - we have deductible gift recipient status with the ATO and are a registered charity!

I look forward to talking to you all very soon about our new fundraising concept. We are committed to developing it as much as we can as a Byron-based project - enabling all the various small businesses and partners in our shire to get involved in some way that is meaningful for them.

We will be at the Community Centre Volunteers' Expo and would love you to come and have a chat!

Its exciting and busy times...as always!

Cheers...

From all of us.....

BYS Team

Byron: 6685 7777

Mullum: 6684 3086

www.bys.org.au

Latest News

PARKWAY DRIVE @ THE YAC

Byron High Year 10 Vocational Learning Program Students Seek Work Placements

21 students enrolled in the Year 10 Vocational Learning Program (VLP) at Byron High School, are seeking local businesses willing to engage them on work placements for a period of up to 8 weeks at a time. These work placements will commence during March and students will be required to attend the work placements each Friday.

These students have a wide variety of requests for experience in industries from building through to hairdressing. Businesses involved would be required to provide the students with employment related workplace skills and an understanding of the work environment. The VLP students are between 15 and 16 years of age.

Businesses wishing to be involved in work placements for the VLP students can contact Nicqui Yazdi on 0402013177 or email buddiyouthteam@yahoo.com.au for more information.

WHAT'S HAPPENING @ MULLUM COTTAGE

'One of the many joys of my job is that I've been around long enough that young people I've worked with come back to visit and sometimes bring their own babies. Sarah and Shay were both participants in groups and case management at the Cottage and called in recently to show off their gorgeous bubbas Ella and Ryan. Since we now have the 'sleep-out' provided by Council the kids can crawl around safely without getting outside.

It brings BYS workers much joy to see young people being positive and happy in their lives and sharing their successes with us whether that be children, further education and training, employment, health and creative ventures.'

YAC Rock Cafe logo

Opening Friday March 9th

Byron Youth Activity Centre

Music-based Drop-in for Teens

Something exciting is about to kick-off for young people in Byron Bay on Friday nights. The YACROCKCAFE is a free weekly music-based drop-in program for high school aged young people on Friday nights at the Byron Youth Activity Centre.

The YACROCKCAFE will commence on Friday March 9th with a special opening night party sponsored by Project U-Turn. Guest artists on the night include awarding winning young band Lifeline, Mitchell Smith (X-Factor), Cecilia Brandolini, Loki Hough and Haven Hough. There will be giveaways from surf and skateboard company, Bone Machine, including a custom made skateboard and t-shirt packs and free pizza from the new Byron Bay Pizza Co. which has recently opened up in Sunrise.

The YACROCKCAFE will be open every Friday night from 5pm til 10pm. Music teachers and mentors will be available in the Loud Room from 5-7pm, followed by jam sessions performance opportunities for young bands and musicians on the YAC stage from 7-10pm. The YAC CAFE will also be open from 6.30-9.30pm. We hope to organize special gig nights with special guest artists and music industry specialists.

For more information on the YACROCKCAFE, or to register to become a volunteer please contact Nicqui Yazdi on 0402013177 or email nicquiyazdi@yahoo.com.au.

Byron Youth Service can be contacted on 6685 7777.

OUTLETS SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS:

THERE'S ALWAYS MORE - BYRON BAY

BYRON YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTRE

If you would like to help us out and sell some tickets please come and see Steffie or call 66857777 or email stephanie@bys.org.au

We need all the help we can get!

Youth Voices

Olive Mashett - 18 - Student @ Byron Community Campus

1. What has been the best experience in your life?

Moving to Australia from California!

2. What inspires you?

Art, having fun with friends, being active and music production.

3. Who would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

I would like to meet Banksy and ask him about some tips on can control and graph art!

4. What would you like to see happen in Byron Bay?

More accessible activities for young people.

5. What has been the worst experience in your life?

Having to juggle work and education at a very young age with not enough government support.

6. What do you believe in?

I believe in taking care of my wellbeing.

7. What would you like to change in the world?

I would like to see young people not getting into drugs & alcohol at such a young age!

8. What's important in a relationship?

Trust and honesty

9. Interwiewee to Interwiewer.

What is your wish?

No wars!!!

Upcoming Courses

Programs and Activities

MUSIC EVENTS @ THE YAC

Let Me Down Jungleman - Wednesday 14th March - 6pm

Hardcore Show - Sunday 18th March - 6pm

Book the Youth Activity Centre for your next event, party, workshop!

Details on our website www.bys.org.au

or contact Stephanie Sims: stephanie@bys.org.au

Byron Young Mums' Group

Young mums

Byron Youth Service invites
Young Mums with children, young mums with kids in daycare/school

and young mums-to-be to join the
BYRON YOUNG MUMS' GROUP

Group meets at the Byron Youth Activity Centre

1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay

Tuesdays 10am to 12.30pm

The group offers young mums a safe place to share ideas
& socialise with others in a child friendly environment.
Bring something to share for morning tea.

For more information contact Group Coordinator

Rosalie Bryant on 0431524044

Facebook/Young Mums

BOXATION with Peter Gauge

MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY 6 - 7 PM

Project U Turn

Turning The Tide

TURNING THE TIDE - MOBILE YOUTH OUTREACH SERVICE
YAC Bus

Cruising the North of the Shire on Friday nights from 8pm till 12am.

This includes Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores, South Golden Beach, Mullumbimby and Sunrise Beach.

Cruising around Byron CBD and Suffolk Park on Saturday nights from 8pm till 12am.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!!!!

EARTH AND SEA PIZZA

EAGLE BOYS

BYRON CAPTURED WATER

SUFFOLK PARK BAKERY

and

BYRON BAY POLICE

for allowing us to park the bus on their property!

We are always looking for people that would like to donate food or drinks for this fantastic program...

IF THAT'S YOU PLEASE CONTACT

Lisa Fensom Ph 6685 7777 EXT 3

Find us on Face Book at Facebook/Turning the tide

"LIKE" this page and keep updated on where the bus is at !!!

Byron Youth Service Team

Management Committee

   Richard Heazlewood-Ross         Chairperson
Maxine Caron                            Deputy
Ian Leggo                           Treasurer
Rob Eldridge                         Secretary
Mark Smith                              Member
Philip Preston                              Member
Karim Kaufman         Member
James Nash                                Member
Nicqui Yazdi                        BUDDI Rep
Stephanie Sims    Staff Representative

Byron Youth Service Workers

Di Mahoney                        Director
Deb Pearse    Mullum - Youth Connections
Melissa Honey       Links 2 Learning
Tegan Rowles Youth Worker
Bridget Perry       Youth Worker
Rosalie Bryant          Byron - Youth Connections
Stephanie Sims                       Fundraising/Events
Kate Reed                                Project U-Turn Coordinator
Lisa Fensom                         Turning the Tide Coordinator

David, Jemma, Rachel, Luke & Marty
Casual Youth Workers

Community Project Workers

Steve, Odette & Angela    BCC Flexi-School
Chad Kolcze                                            The Uncle Project
Lisa Apostolides       BYTE Youth Theatre Co-ordinator
Nicqui Yazdi                   BUDDI CDAT Co-ordinator