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Linda Burney Announces the NCIE Indigenous Youth Advisory Committee

The Hon. Linda Burney, NSW Minister for Community Services and Minister for Women, officially announced the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence’s Youth Advisory Committee in Redfern on 29 September, 2009 reports this media release from the National Centre for Indigenous Excelloence.

The 12 strong committee members, who all live, work or go to school in the South Sydney area, were chosen because they demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for issues affecting young people in their communities and for their desire to have their voices heard on a national scale.

Minister Burney said that she was proud to be a part of the launch and share in the excitement of the members. 

“It is important for young Indigenous people to have their voices heard and to influence the decision making process in matters affecting their day-to-day lives. It’s great to see how motivated these young people are to help others in their community through this valuable forum,” she continued. 

The committee members, aged between 12 and 18 years, have many goals that they aim to achieve as part of the Youth Advisory Committee. These range from encouraging local youth to be involved with the Centre, to providing more employment opportunities for local young people, to making a difference to the lives of Indigenous people across Australia. 

St Peters resident and Youth Advisory Committee member Jacob Saunders, aged 16, is already an active volunteer in the local community, but says his role will be another important platform where he can address youth issues. 

“I would like to see young people have more influence in the programs and services provided to us. Through this committee we’ll speak on behalf of the community to ensure that the needs of Indigenous young people, from all around Australia, are met,” concluded Jacob. 

The first official Youth Advisory Committee meeting will be held later this year. In the coming months an informal get together will be held for the Committee members to get to know each other, grow their leadership skills and gain valuable knowledge from leaders within the South Sydney community. One of their first initiatives will be to develop after-school activities that can be run for local youth at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. 

The 12 Youth Advisory Committee members are: 

Name

Age

Suburb

Djanala Svagelli

12

Erskinville

Bianca Ciessman

13

Woolloomooloo

Zoe Anderson

14

Waterloo

Jerald Benfield

15

Waterloo

Tori Morgan

15

Waterloo

Shaquille Robinson

15

Waterloo

Jacob Saunders

16

St Peters

Tremaine Mundine

17

Waterloo

Taleena Simon

17

Darlington

Gary Ward

17

Waterloo

Christopher Fernando

17

Newtown

Caiti Ward

18

Kings Langley

About The Youth Advisory Committee:

The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Youth Advisory Committee is made up of 12 young people between the ages of 12 - 18 years who live, work or go to school in the South Sydney Area. All members of the Youth Advisory Committee were self-nominated and went through an expression of interest process before being appointed by the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. All Committee members were selected for demonstrating passion and enthusiasm on youth issues affecting the local community. The Youth Advisory Committee will work under the direction and guidance of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Youth Programs Coordinator, Sara Hamilton. 

About The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence:

The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence is a unique initiative that will give young Indigenous people the opportunity to live their aspirations in the areas of sport, learning and innovation, arts and culture. Creating an environment of learning and opportunity, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence will cultivate talent and encourage personal development for our nation’s best and brightest young Indigenous stars.