Newsletter header
December/January E-News 
In this issue
Latest News
Courses, Programs & Activities
Outreach Program
Byron Youth Service Team

  

During our AGM last month, the members of the association have elected a new Committee of Management. Congratulations to Teeya Blatt for her nomination as the new BYS Chairperson. New members of the Byron Shire community have also joined the Committee, bringing their enthusiasm, networks and skills to support the work of the BYS team. Warm welcome to Rainer Congdon who will represent the young people and to Steven Marriott, Michael Goldberg and Alex Croall. We are all looking forward to working with you! 
This newsletter is also the occasion to thank our departing Chairperson, David Kyd, who has steered the organisation through difficult times and to Caston Smith who had been a member of the Committee for many years. The members also extended Jan Barham's mandate as BYS patron while three other members, Ian Leggo, Kristie Clifton and Mark Smith were reappointed.

Last week our colleague Stephanie Sims received an award from the Byron Youth Council for her long term commitment to the youth in our community. This is another very exciting piece of news for BYS as it recognises Stephanie's commitment, resilience and passion for this organisation and young people.

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, BYS's financial situation has improved. However, we still need to secure additional funding to consolidate the organisation's position and ensure that we can sustain our activities next year. As Christmas approaches, we encourage you to donate to the BYS through our website http://bys.org.au/donate/ or make a donation in lieu of gifts to your loved ones. Thanks in advance for your generosity and loyalty. This can make a big difference for the organisation and the young people it serves.

The BYS will be closed during the Christmas break and we will use that time to do some much needed renovation of the Youth Activity Centre thanks to a grant from the Crown Lands Reserve. The work should be completed before the end of January 2016 and we are looking forward to welcoming you next year in a sparkling and refreshed YAC!!!
Until next time, stay safe... and Merry Christmas!

From all of us @ BYS 
 
Byron: 6685 7777
Mullum: 6684 3086
 
 

Latest News


Mullum Cottage

A great month at the Cottage with outings, a farewell dinner and birthdays. 
Happy birthday to Jazzy, Indigo, Jerzie and Kobi.
Also our beautiful Misty played at Mullumbimby Music Festival, despite anxiety she always gives it a go.
   
 
This month all three year 9 groups participated in the Dolphin Dreaming program at the Lighthouse with Delta Kay and Nigel Stewart.
Partly a reward for remaining connected with the program all year but also a highly educational, informative and very fun day. Everyone had such a great experience followed up with lunch.



For the Year 10 young people it's time to fly the coop after two years participation in programs at the Cottage. This year we were most fortunate to have Michael Goldberg from the Sanctuary sponsor a farewell dinner at Treehouse. A great night was had by all and everyone received a certificate.
I will miss them all dreadfully but from experience I know many of them will keep in touch, come to visit or somehow come into my life again.



 
News from young people from past groups and lots of congratulations. Much love and many blessings to Jasmin Ferguson and Jarrod Tomlinson on the birth of their new daughter Maye. Congratulations to Eli Ayo and Hanna Brown on their marriage, envy and pride for Jacqueline Grey and Farren O'Brien who are still adventuring and travelling the world and big love to Nicole Bennett and Adam Caulcutt still together from when they were in my groups years ago, who would've guessed! :)
 

 
Courses - Programs  - Activities 
HOSPITALITY/EVENTS MANAGEMENT COURSE
The Hospitality and Events Crew are nearly at the end of their course with only 3 weeks to go.
The course has been going really well and the majority of the students will finish with a Certificate II from TAFE just in time for Xmas!
We have been out to Wollingbar TAFE on a weekly basis to use the kitchen and the barista bar so that our students get lots of practice in making simple dishes and making coffees and smoothies.
We also had a visit from Kelly from the Belongil Bistro who spent a morning with the students talking about her experiences in the industry and how to give the best service in the business! Thanks Kelly for donating your time and expertise to help our young community.
And big thanks to Woody, Dan and Andrew our TAFE teachers who have taught the course at the YAC. You guys are awesome and our students have learnt a lot from you all.
We look forward to creating the food for the 'Vollies Soiree' on the last day of the course on 16th December.

   


Byron Youth Service

SAFER DRIVER'S COURSE FOR LEARNERS

 

The Safer Learner Driver Course is a combined theoretical and practical Course for under 25 year-old learner drivers who have completed 50 hours of log book driving hours. The Course involves two Modules:

  • Module one: A three-hour facilitated group discussion on how to manage risks on the road. This will involve a maximum of twelve participants and will be delivered by a facilitator.
  • Module two: A two-hour in-vehicle coaching session to develop low-risk driving strategies. This will involve two participants and a coach.

Participants who complete the course will receive a bonus of 20 hours credit recorded in their learner driver log book.

 

COURSE NOTES:

  • BYS is an RMS authorised Course Provider
  • The Course costs a total of $140 for both modules.
  • Participants may enjoy completing the Course with a friend particularly for the in-vehicle session. 
  • For more information please contact:
Steffie on 6685 7777 or email info@bys.org.au
or book directly  www.bys.org.au
         
 
 

NEXT BYRON FLEA MARKET - SATURDAY DECEMBER 12TH

Please call Lotte if you want to book a stall - 0490026840
 
BARISTA COURSE
Coffee image

Tuesday 15th December
 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

Thank you to Byron Bay Coffee Co for donating coffee for our courses!

BYT logo
BYRON YOUTH THEATRE

Byron Youth Theatre are celebrating the fact that they have received yet another Northern Rivers Community Foundation grant.
This grant will be used to create a new original performance focusing on the devastating issues of domestic violence.
The topic was chosen from feedback evaluation forms from previous BYT productions.
" A lot of people don't think this goes on here in this area, but it does and many young people are affected by it" commented a 15 year old audience member in discussion after watching Altered States in May this year.
It will be challenging for the Company members but that's exactly why they joined BYT, to give a youth voice on issues which affect them through a creative medium.

Another celebration was held this morning after the second and final performance of Outspoken.  Funded through the Fundability program at Northcott and Byron Council, BYT worked in collaboration with several young people with diverse abilities.  The performance included poetry, dance, dramatic and comedic scenes as well as singing and honouring each other's special skills and talents.  The Company were blessed to also work with the wonderful Artistic Director of SPRUNG Integrated Dance Theatre, Michael Hennessy and Interpreter, Singer and Dancer, Alison Toft.  Special thanks go to Max and Tara from SPRUNG, Tallula Bourne, Cassia Moore and Jake Fitzpatrick who joined us for this wonderful journey!!!

Both performances filled the Drill Hall Theatre in Mullumbimby with audience members singing the casts' praises for a production which truly explored and celebrated sense of identity, belonging and inclusivity.  Below are some related links.

Director Lisa Apostolides wishes to thank The Drill Hall theatre for their continued support of BYT's work.  Also thanks to the parents who have helped set up, serve tea and cakes and  get their talented young people to and from many rehearsals.  Thank you Byron Bay Cookie Company for supplying some yummy cookies and Glenn Wright for donating Mullum Music Festival tickets to raffle.

BYT are looking forward to 2016 and waiting to hear on more funding to enable them to perform at the next PASH conference, Mind Made Me at a conference and to create 2 new works.  They start the year with a special workshop with Zen Zen Zo physical theatre company visiting from Brisbane.

Merry Christmas to you all and thank you for your support for this exciting and important work.
For information about how to join, donations and support please call Lisa 0403023693

 
Outreach Program

STREET CRUISE
  BYS bus

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

   

THANK YOU TO OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!!!!

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 2015

Teeya Blatt                             Chairperson
Kristie Clifton                   Vice Chairperson
Ian Leggo                                  Treasurer
 Mark Smith                                   Member
 Michael Goldberg                           Member
Alex Croall                                   Member
Stephen Marriott                            Member
Rainor Congdon            Youth Representative
Stephanie Sims             Staff Representative
Pascal Rigaldies                             Manager
  

Byron Youth Service Workers

Pascal Rigaldies                                                Manager
Deb Pearse                               Mullum Youth Coordinator
 Rosalie Bryant                           Byron - Youth Coordinator  
Stephanie Sims                                    Fundraising/Events
Kate Reed                                          Course Coordinator 
Lotte Boer                                      Byron Flea Coordinator
Jonathan Edwards                                              Accounts
David Dalton                                               Street Cruise
     
Community Project Workers 

Steve & Liz                                    Byron Community Centre
Chad Kolcze                                             The Uncle Project
Morag Roseby                                          The Uncle Project
 Lisa Apostolides                      BYT Youth Theatre Co-ordinator
Nicqui Yazdi                                  BUDDI CDAT Co-ordinator