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August E-News 
In this issue
Latest News
Workshops
Courses, Programs & Activities
Outreach Program
Byron Youth Service Team

 

It is Thursday morning at BYS. It's spring. The sun is shining, the sky clear. Staff Members and program facilitators are busy preparing for the day as young people drift in. The energy is casual, relaxed and happy.  A young guy drops in with his mate, food in hand, to say Hi and have his breakfast. He was on a program last term for young people at risk of dropping out from school. He is on his way to school to select subjects for his year 11 for next year. A few students from the flexi-school are sitting outside socialising in the sun. They're warming up before heading in to start their studies. Conventional school wasn't working for them. This is their school now. A few of the new Events Management students have arrived. Their first day was really positive. They gelled quickly as a group. This is day two. They have made new friends. They're excited about planning and running a real youth festival event later in the year. They left school early. Finding work is tough for them. The guys from this term's at risk school program will drift in soon. They will take a while to gear up for the day. They're still feeling their way but they'll get there. Most of them will get back on track with schooling or move towards a training or work goal. 

 

Over at Mullum, groups of young people who are struggling to stay engaged with school will head to "The Cottage". They will cook, do art projects and while they do that, learn about what is holding them back. They will get a chance to get their lives back on track. As the day goes on the phones will ring. People will drop in. Young people will come in for individual case managed support. There will be challenges and great things will happen, fork in the road, life-changing things. On other days at other times, there will be drama workshops, creative arts groups and drug and alcohol free live music events for young people. This is what BYS is all about. This is the sort of thing we do because young people matter and they deserve to feel happy, valued and safe in their community!

 

Take care, 


Peter McGlennon & all at BYS

Byron: 6685 7777
Mullum: 6684 3086

www.bys.org.au  

 

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Latest News


Thank you 
Malibu Club for your generous donation of $!000 
   
Mullumbimby Youth Cottage

'A big month for the Cottage and young people who attend programs there. Two fundraisers were held. One a music event at the YAC with Jo Jo Smith (massive thanks to Jo Jo) and  Lilly Macallister (from year 9 Mullum girls' group) performed three songs, two she'd written herself. She has a beautiful voice, a great presence and I'm sure will go far.


The next day a Carwash Fundraiser was held at Brunswick Caltex Service Station (many thanks to Trev and Angela for their support). Nine girls from years 9 and 10 girls' groups washed cars for four hours assisted by Jesse from NR Mobile Car Detailing, Jemma Brunell and myself. Great effort from the girls.


Year 9 boys participated in the Arakwal Dolphin Dreaming program at the Lighthouse with Delta Kay and Nigel Stewart, a great day for everyone.


Year 9 girls completed their community art project and took their art pieces over to the local pre-school to go on the walls there and have now moved onto jewellry and mobile making. Year 10 girls are still working on their beautiful banners but had a week off to do a knitting group with Gail Harnett, which was relaxing and a lot of fun.


Year 10 boys are doing cooking skills and participating in the healthy, active living program and are planning a sausage sizzle fundraiser at Woolies in Mullumimby.


Big thanks again to Andrew Hall for his weekly drop offs of yummy oranges from his orchard.'

Workshops

BYT logo
BYT 2014
 Byron Youth Theatre

 

The Ballad of Phony Maggot, a satirical slightly political whacky piece of Street Theatre

premiered at Splendour in the Grass, amusing and entertaining festival goers last Saturday.

Made possible by being awarded a Youth Activities Grant from Byron Council, BYT had fun

creating their inaugural piece of Street Theatre inspired by the cuts the current Government have made to Youth and Arts programs.

"When Lisa told us about the Youth Development and Support program being abolished by the current government we felt inspired to use this opportunity to say something through Street Theatre. It was challenging as it is such a different form of theatre than we're used to

producing." shared Bridie Duff.  "Being out in the crowd at Splendour was a mixture of excitement, terrifying, mad and fantastic!". " This was such a great opportunity for us ( young people) to develop more theatre skills and we get to go to great festivals to perform" commented Eryn Thackray.

During the process of developing the piece, the Company were visited by Valley Lipcer who runs Roundabout Theatre. Valley has had extensive Street Theatre experience and her locally based company, that has a range of pieces & performers, are regularly commissioned by festivals and events nationally and internationally. It was great to create a connection with Valley and we hope that she may invite some of our Company to assist her in her future projects. www.roundabout.net.au/

Local costume designer, seamstress and circus performer/teacher Emma Woodburn was a

vital member of this production. Working alongside Lisa Apostolides, they were able to create

the awesome costumes that really bring the piece to life. The Company are extremely grateful to Emma who gave over and above on this project. Thank you Emma xx

BYT are now returning to develop their powerful piece of Social Action Theatre titled originally titled Mind Made Me. This piece focuses on mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, nonsuicidal, self harm and negative body image and was a key component of the Mental health Matters School Based Days that toured schools October 2013.

A Country Arts Support Program grant is allowing BYT to refine this piece and add some new

scenes incorporating feedback from youth & community audiences. It is hoped that BYT will be awarded another Australian Mental Health Association grant that will see their new piece tour schools again this October.

"We witnessed so many young people benefitting from last year's performances & workshops of Mind Made Me that we really want to share it more, if possible every year. It covers ongoing issues and therefore needs to be seen on a regular basis, not by just one year group" shares Hayley Acton ( BYT Company Member).

Mind Made Me will also be presented at an international conference called Connecting Minds,

held by Australian Society for Psychological Medicine, National Faculty of Specific Interests &

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in Byron Bay this September.

Having also been awarded a Nortec Communities grant to create a new piece on illicit drug use, the Company will also be starting their research, interviewing and surveying phase in the coming months. If you are willing to be interviewed about previous illicit drug use or know someone who is please get in contact with Lisa. 

All information shared is confidential.

 

With the possibility of 2 small grants coming through that will see further facilitator training

happening for BYT members, the next few months are looking rather FULL!!

Lisa Apostolides is also in conversation with Sprung Integrated Dance Company with a view to

partnering in a production in 2015.

If you are interested in joining, donating or finding out more about BYT please contact Lisa

Apostolides on 0403023693 or byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com



 

BYS Creative Arts Collective FREE Workshops

 

 

Empowering young people aged 12-24 to be creative & enterprising!

 

Learn how to make hand made art books and jewellery

then make profits by selling your work though local shops.

 

 

School Term 3:

9 x Wednesday afternoon sessions from 4 to 6pm

commencing July 16th to September 17th

 

 

Byron Youth Activity Center

1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay

 

For more information or to enrol contact Artist & course Tutor

Gisela Conechado on 0410161747

Courses Programs & Activities


Youth Connections Program 2014 


Photo credit: Shakirra Gream - Winner for 2008 SNAP Youth Photography Competition 

  

Youth Connections (YC) fosters a positive future for our community through the empowerment of 'at-risk' youth aged 11-19.

The YC program works with Byron and Mullumbimby high schools, other organisations, families & individuals to identify young people who may be experiencing barriers to successful learning outcomes.

YC then supports those young people to remain engaged in education or secure employment opportunities. YC supports clients to build personal resilience & address barriers in their life and is delivered at both the Byron Youth Activity Centre (YAC) & the Mullumbimby Cottage.

 

Young People who are in need of support can come down to the YAC & speak to a youth worker.

Monday to Thursday  10am - 3pm.  

1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay 

 

This extremely valuable program is funded till the end of the year! 

If you would like to be involved in keeping this program ongoing please give us a call! 

BARISTA COURSE
Coffee image

Tuesday 19th August
Tuesday 16th September
   4 to 7pm
$50
Ages 15 to 24
Byron Youth Activity Centre
1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay
To book a place call Steffie on 6685 7777

Byron Bay Coffee Co


 


 

  STEER logo 

 

 
 

 
Outreach Program

STREET CRUISE
  BYS bus

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

   

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!!!!

EARTH AND SEA PIZZA

LIGHTHOUSE PIZZA

BYRON CAPTURED WATER

and

BYRON BAY POLICE  

for allowing us to park the bus on their property!  

 

Your donations are invaluable!

 
Click on link below to donate!

Give Now  

Byron Youth Service Team

Management Committee

  Richard Heazlewood-Ross         Chairperson
 Ian Leggo                                 Treasurer
 Rob Eldridge                             Secretary
Mark Smith                                Member
Philip Preston                             Member
Caston Smith                             Member
 Nicqui Yazdi                            BUDDI Rep
  Stephanie Sims           Staff Representative

Byron Youth Service Workers
 
 
Peter McGlennon                                             Director
Deb Pearse                          Mullum - Youth Connections 
Rosalie Bryant                        Byron - Youth Connections
Stephanie Sims                                 Fundraising/Events
Karen Ford                         Links to Learning Coordinator
 
David, Jemma, Jesse, Julian, Lotta, Sol, Traci & Gisella
Casual Youth Workers

     

Community Project Workers 

Steve, Odette & Angela                               BCC Flexi-School
Chad Kolcze                                             The Uncle Project
Simon Menlove                                         The Uncle Project
 Lisa Apostolides                      BYT Youth Theatre Co-ordinator
Nicqui Yazdi                                  BUDDI CDAT Co-ordinator
Phil Preston                                  STEER Project Coordinator