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Rockingham Youth Reference Group
In June 2022 I joined the Rockingham Youth Reference Group, and it was such a beneficial decision for me. Based at the City of Rockingham's Youth Centre, I am part of a group of fourteen other young people as we act as the youth voice and youth advisory for the City of Rockingham. The group is made up of 14-25 year olds who are passionate about creating a difference in our community, and strive to advocate and create solutions together in an encouraging environment supported by the City of Rockingham. When I first joined the group, I was just entering the world of activism and often felt myself falling into doom spirals and feeling like I was the only one. Finding a group of such kind, passionate individuals with such a supportive team of adults changed the way I see my activism, young people and the Rockingham community.
As an RYRG member, we attend monthly meetings, and fortnightly catch ups, often attended by guests that work in the City of Rockingham as a counsillor, advisor, community worker, social worker or event manager. Our ideas are always listened to enthusiastically and we strive to create programs and solutions to youth-centred issues. We are present at COR strategy meetings, youth centre programs, official city events and organise our own programs for young people within the city! Past events we have facilitated or planned as the RYRG include:
COR Youth Beach Party 2024
COR Your City, Your Say strategy consultation days 2023
Breakthrough Music Competition 2023
COR Youth Beach Party 2023
RYC Second Birthday 2023
COR Breakthrough Music Competition 2022
RYC Halloween Party 2022
Guest Speaker Speech at City of Rockingham's Volunteer Recognition Evening
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15th of May 2024
I was given the opportunity to be a guest speaker at the City of Rockingham's Volunteer Recognition Evening in May! My mentor for the RYRG, Kate, recommended me for the role and it was such an incredible opportunity. I was more nervous than expected in the lead-up but I'm proud of myself for the speech I gave. Once I'd exited the stage, I had the pleasure of meeting many COR people in various roles as they introduced themselves and congratulated me on my speech. Among them was the CEO of the city and Deputy Mayor. Following my speech, I was asked if I'd like to be included in the City's Student Volunteer Week Campaign. I was featured on the COR's page with an excerpt of my speech.
Izra workshop at Ridgeview Highschool 13/02/2024
In February 2024, I attended a workshop run by the organisation Izra called "Failing Well". It was presented by Bec to the year seven cohort at Ridgeview Secondary School. I was there to represent the RYRG and give a short introduction into what we do as a group, and how the City of Rockingham supports us. This was beneficial to me, to observe how an external program presents an in-school workshop. I am using this experience for inspiration and motivation as I aspire to develop my own program following my participation in Youth Parliament and my health studies.
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IMG_9842.MOV< Left is a clip from our input and planning for the City of Rockingham's new Strategy for Early years, Children & Young People 2024-2030. We had a representative from the City of Rockingham who is in charge of communicating all our input back to the strategy development team. Following this session, there was two workshops for COR residents held at the Youth Centre. I assisted facilitating the "Your City, Your Say" evening for people 17+. My roles were encouraging people to write their issues and potential solutions and reading them out with the group to facilitate discussions. I also stayed for pack-down.
Your-City-Your-Say flyer.pdfYour Say Night Run Sheet.pdfThe new COR Strategy for Children and Young People (waiting on release)
Your City, Your Say Workshop Runsheet
Below are some articles we have been included in:
Make a Difference with the Rockingham Youth Reference Group - City of Rockingham
Rockingham's Breakthrough Music Competition returns in 2022 - 91.7 The Wave (917thewave.com.au)
LDAT meeting
LDAT meeting
On the morning of the 8th of May, I represented the RYRG with our mentor Maddie at the Local Drug Action Team meeting. The team has been working together for years to improve the drug and alcohol issues within our community and is working on a new strategy to implement. I worked with the team to brainstorm new ideas for action and resources to create. I gained new knowledge and a new outlook on substance abuse and resources in our community as a result of attending the meeting.
The RYRG is a collective of some of the loveliest, most supportive people. Monthly meetings are always uplifting and I am incredibly grateful to be serving my four-year term alongside them.
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