from YAPRap March 2006
by John Ferguson, YAPA Policy & Training Officer
We all know that there is a lack of resources in rural New South Wales, and that some places have it tougher than others, but for young people around the Gundagai area, there are no resources whatsoever. The situation is just as dire in the shires of Tumbarumba and Tumut. For this reason, there is a group of people who have joined together in an attempt to obtain funding for a Youth Development Officer (YDO) that will cover the three shires.
A few years ago the Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre had the funding to provide a Youth and Family Support Officer. However, this funding was not continued and the void that was left has not been filled. Drawing on the notion that there is greater strength in partnerships, a Focus Group has been formed to address the need for a YDO. The Focus Group contains a diverse range of members from varying positions in the three shires. Some of the members include a Child and Adolescent Psychologist, a Centrelink Manager, a School Counsellor, and a member of the Tumut Aboriginal Working Group. There are also members who hold positions on the local councils, such as a Corporate Planner, a Community Services Manager and a Corporate Services Manager. The variety of these positions reflects that the need for a YDO is felt right across the three communities.
The position required...
The group strongly feels that the position needs to focus on community development for youth, rather than on crisis management. The position would be proactive, rather than reactive, and is based on actions in each of the councils' Social Plans and Healthy Communities initiatives. It is proposed that the YDO's time would be shared on the basis of 1 day in Gundagai, 1 day in Tumbarumba, 2 days in Tumut, and 1 day for floating and administration.
Some of the key responsibilities of the YDO position not only show the great value in such a position, but also what is really lacking for young people in this region:
- Establish stronger links between young people and the local community with particular focus on fostering self-help and mentoring programs;
- Engage special needs groups of young people, including young parents, Aboriginal young people and socially disadvantaged young people;
- Provide support to young people and facilitate access of young people to appropriate services, specialists or community agencies available in the area.
The key responsibilities and job criteria are more extensive than are shown here, but these three points clearly demonstrate the integral resources and opportunities that are currently not available for young people in this region. There is also no Family Support service, or JPET program in any of the three shires.
The rural perspective...
To put this position into perspective, it is necessary to look at the distances between these towns. Being country New South Wales, they are not just around the corner from each other, nor are they situated in a convenient triangle. They are, in fact, situated in a line, with Tumut in the middle. Gundagai is first and is situated on the Hume Highway, which is about 38 kilometres from Tumut. From there, it is another 70 kilometres to Tumbarumba. These journeys are made even more arduous with the usual state of country roads. There are no motorways to connect these towns, but at least there's no toll!
These geographical obstacles are a part of life in country New South Wales, but they should not be taken lightly when considering the task facing youth and community workers in these areas. Taking into account the demands of this position, the Focus Group has taken the realistic position of requesting only one Youth Development Officer for the entire region. It would be much more desirable to have a youth worker in each town, and be able to provide more than one day of support to the young people in Gundagai and Tumbarumba. However, although having three youth workers may be a fantasy, to request only one YDO to cover this broad region, with a combined population of over 18,000 people, is anything but greedy.
It is important to remember that services, resources and activities for young people are extremely limited in rural areas, and the Shires of Gundagai, Tumut and Tumbarumba are no exception. The variety of people involved in this Focus Group, combined with the sustained effort and dedication that they have shown, truly reflect the need for a Youth Development Officer. The points discussed above constitute a job description, but they are also a clear indication of what is currently not being provided for young people in this region. Sadly, this scenario is repeated across much of country New South Wales.
what about your area?
YAPA is keen to hear the needs and experiences of young people and service providers in other rural areas. Contact John Ferguson at YAPA:
- 1800 627 323 ext. 5
- email him
