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I am writing this on a cold blustery day, an exception to the very mild winter we've been apprehensively enjoying in this era of big changes - climate, political, worldwide - so I'd like to start this August newsletter with warm and optimistic well wishes to you and yours.
July saw a few changes at the YAC as well. Some team players from the Byron Rugby League Club generously donated a day of hard physical labour and, following the knowledgeable guidance of BYS staff Berri Drum, cleared much of the excess growth on our grounds, opening up our outlook and clearing space for future colourful landscaping. Volunteers Brad and Joel have continued this good work and the grounds are looking cleaner, clearer and more energized. Truly, it takes a community to maintain our beloved Youth Centre. Big thanks to all involved.
July saw a new addition to our team, resident photographer Yani Clarke. Yani has attended several of our events and taken beautiful photos that will undoubtedly enhance our visuals. Welcome aboard to Yani.
Staff are busy as always ensuring our young people have services, courses, support and fun, including ongoing boys groups, girls groups, LGBTIQ group, Safer Driver courses and enterprise opportunities, and we are also busy planning for more. Our computer labs, both at the YAC and the Cottage, have been entirely upgraded with sleek, quick new IMacs, and we hope to soon offer free computer and internet accessibility to young people for work, surfing, gaming. A St George Foundation grant will allow us to engage a tutor to support young people after school hours to get through tricky homework assignments. Watch this space for more info.
Also in the planning is a September to December Certificate II in Hospitality and Event Management, funded by the Flannery Foundation and partnered with NorthCoast TAFE. Besides the wonderful training, on-hand experience, RSA, RCG, and Food Handling certificates, this upcoming course will culminate in the staging of a big event - the much-awaited YAC is Back! celebration. Exciting indeed and not only because young people will be integrally involved in developing the event but also because it is an opportunity to show off our newly refurbished premises, to engage with you, our BYS supporters, and to invite all and sundry to enjoy this wonderful community venue. More information in next newsletter, but feel free to call Steffie on 66857777 if you are interested in the course or doing a student placement with us, or volunteering.
Don't forget to come to the YAC for our next Byron Flea Market, 13th August and every 2nd Saturday of the month.
Until next month, keep warm, stay dry and offer freely an encouraging smile to the young people in your life.
Byron: 6685 7777 Mullum: 6684 3086 |
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Mullum Cottage
Holidays have come and gone for students and much of our attention at the Cottage has been focused on an "All The Girls Open Day". While the day was for the two Year 10 groups, other groups helped set up displays and get the Cottage looking ship shape.
The Year 10 girls invited family members and other service providers to come and see what they do during their programs at the Cottage.
We had a display of beautiful photos based on the theme 'Home' and displays of creative projects they've completed. Yummy food and discussion turned into a passionate debate about the recent footage from
the Don Dale youth detention centre in NT, is there such a thing as a 'bad kid', global warming and how change comes about, amongst other things.
The Year 10 boys had another session with Siobhan Strain from Intra and also had a passionate discussion focusing on drug use/misuse and the aftermath of Splendour. We addressed harm minimisation strategies again and individual healthy active living plans. Both the year 9 and 10 girls had sessions with Lisa Hopwood, which they said were informative and lots of fun. Lisa works at the Buttery Rehab Centre in Bangalow. Our other exciting news at the Cottage is that a Year 8 boys group will be trialled beginning at the end of this month. This will be our first year 8 group and will be aimed at providing information, a safe access point, support, life skills and early intervention.  
   
  
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Splendour in the Grass 2016
Thank you to Splendour organisers for giving us the opportunity to raise money to keep our programs running through Phone Charging and to support the young people at the Festival.
Thanks to all the wonderful BYS volunteers, Lotte, Mark, Renee, Angela, Jasmine, Steffie, Courtney, John & Yani for their time, energy & enthusiasm.
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RUKKUS MULLUMBIMBY 2016
There were 78 entrants, including eight girls. 'The under-12s division had 22 kids competing, and was won by Karlin O'Halloran from Ocean Shores. Haylie Powell from Mooloolaba (QLD) won the girls, Sumanya Black (Mullumbimby) won the under-8s, Sam Windhurst (Kingscliff) won the under-16s and Joey Cormack (Byron Bay) took out the open division.'
Thank you to Byron Shire Council for funding the event, Flavio Biehl from Byron Bay Skateboard School for facilitating the event & Berri Drum from BYS for coordinating the event.
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| Courses - Programs - Activities |
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NEXT BYRON FLEA MARKET - SATURDAY August 13th
Please call Berri if you want to book a stall - 0490 026 840
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Hot off the Press!!!!
CERT II - HOSPITALTY/EVENTS MANAGEMENT COURSE
Subsidised Tuition & TAFE Accredited
Info session: Wednesday 14th September 11am to 1pm
Course starts on: Wednesday 28th September till Friday 16th December.
Every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 9am to 3pm
Age: 16 -24
Byron Youth Activity Centre
1 Gilmore Crescent
Byron Bay
Call Steffie for more details and to book a place - 6685 7777
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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:
Next Module 1 Courses @ the YAC:
Wednesday 17th August - 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Wednesday 7th & 28th September - 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Wednesday 19th October - 4.30pm to 7.30pm
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BARISTA COURSE  Tuesday 16th August
Tuesday 20th 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
Thank you to  for donating coffee for our courses!
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A safe, supportive space where girls from the Shire
can socialise, grow confidence,
and create positive new visions for themselves and others!
Wednesdays - 4 to 6pm
for girls 12 to 18
Contact Berri on 0490 026 840
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BYT are straight into researching and devising their next production called "Broken". This production funded by the Northern Rivers Community Foundation will explore the devastating effects of domestic violence.
Director Lisa Apostolides has already connected with prominent staff from the Women's Resource Centre in Mullum, Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Lismore, Men and Family Centre and On track Community programs to gain an insight at a local level and is assisting in the organisation of the Community Matters discussion on domestic violence issues to be held in the Shire in September.
The Company members will be supported in this production by local counsellors due to the subject matter. They will be creating an online survey and are looking for people to interview. We understand that the nature of this production is particularly sensitive, all interviewees will remain anonymous and have received or is receiving counseling if their experience has been traumatic.
BYT will also start preparing for 2 performances at the Richmond Valley Mental health Expo in October with their hugely successful production of Mind Made Me which exposes youth mental health issues. There will be new cast members and some new scenes added.
Fingers crossed they will also hear about some funding that has been applied for to create the Inaugural Northern Rivers LGBTIAQ+ youth social which will be held at the YAC later in the year.
With Year 12 looming for some members on BYT, Lisa is conducting auditions for NEW members, aged between 14 and 25, who are passionate about performing, love theatre and drama, dedicated in seeing projects through to completion, work well in a team and are currently free on Mondays 6-8pm for BYT sessions.
We are also interested in hearing from young people who are interested in set and costume design, filming and editing.
Please contact Lisa for more information on 0403023693.
A couple of long standing BYT members will be joining Lisa at a festival later in the year to provides Kids workshops called "Try A Little BYT"
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STREET CRUISE
Cruising the Byron Shire on Friday nights from 8pm till 12am.
THANK YOU TO OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!!!!
BYRON CAPTURED WATER
EARTH N SEA PIZZA
and
BYRON BAY POLICE
for allowing us to park the bus on their property!
Your donations are invaluable!
Click on link below to donate!
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Management Committee 2016
Kristie Clifton Chairperson
Michael Goldberg Secretary
Ian Leggo Treasurer
Mark Smith Member
Alex Croall Member
Patrick Lorenz Member
Stephanie Sims Staff Representative
Teeya Blatt Manager
Byron Youth Service Workers
Teeya Blatt Manager
Deb Pearse Mullum Youth Coordinator
Rosalie Bryant Byron - Youth Coordinator
Stephanie Sims YAC Coordinator
Berri Drum Byron Flea Coordinator
Karim Kaufmann Boys Group Youth Worker
Jonathan Edwards Accounts
David Dalton Street Cruise
Community Project Workers Liz Harbison Byron Community Campus
Chad Kolcze The Uncle Project
Morag Roseby The Uncle Project Lisa Apostolides BYT Youth Theatre Co-ordinator Nicqui Yazdi BUDDI CDAT Co-ordinator
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