Youth

Applications for 2025 Youth Council are now open

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What is the Wellington Shire Youth Council (WSYC)?

Wellington Shire Youth Council is a diverse committee of young people who represent the voice of youth who live, work and/or study in Wellington.

WSYC develop and deliver projects and campaigns, and advocate for young people in Wellington.  They also function as an advisory group for Council by:

• Providing a means for youth to engage with different people, gather feedback, and suggest innovations to the Wellington Shire Council, other levels of government and the community
• Identifying key issues relating to young people in Wellington and actively participating in the development of strategies to address these
• Raising the profile of young people in Wellington and shining a light on their valuable contribution to our communities
• Maintaining inclusive and representative membership of the Youth Council, which encourages and supports the participation of young people with a broad range of life experiences and further aspirations
• Providing the opportunity for young people to experience civic decision-making processes and supporting their own active participation in these processes.

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What are the benefits of being involved?

Youth Council participants will develop skills in areas such as advocacy, project management, cultural competency, media and communications, and have other unique opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

• Play a role in improving life for young people in the Wellington Shire
• The chance to work with key decision-makers in the community
• The opportunity to develop and deliver projects decided by WSYC
• Engaging with and networking with other like-minded young people
• Having fun and enjoying the challenge!
• AND this year there is the additional opportunity to be a part of the Gippsland Youth Project Youth Programs Committee and be paid for your time.

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Who can join Wellington Shire Youth Council?

If you live anywhere in Wellington Shire, are between 12 - 24 years old, and are passionate about improving the quality of life for young people in our communities, then we would welcome an application from you.

All applications are welcome, and as part of our commitment to building a diverse, multicultural and inclusive group of local youth, we actively encourage applications from young people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as well as those living with a disability; are culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse; who identify with the LGBTIQ community; who are part time or full time secondary or tertiary students; employed or unemployed; parents and people with a broad range of interests.

Successful applicants are appointed for a two-year term. Youth Mayor and other leadership roles are elected following the induction process.

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How to apply

• Read the Terms of Reference
• When applications open complete the online application form

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Need more information?

Contact the Wellington Shire Council Youth Team on youth@wellington.vic.gov.au.

2024 Wellington Youth Art Prize: Down the Rabbit Hole

The Wellington Youth Art Prize is a non-acquisitive prize generously sponsored by FReeZA, The Middle of Everywhere and the Wellington Shire Youth Council. Entries for the Wellington Youth Art Prize is now open for works completed after 1 January 2023. Entry to the Wellington Youth Art Prize is free and entrants may submit only one entry in any medium.

Categories and Prizes: The 2024 Wellington Youth Art Prize has three age categories (age as of 1 July 2024). 12 – 15: $150 prize 16 – 19: $250 prize 20 – 25: $350 prize Runners up in each age category will also be awarded $50. The Middle of Everywhere Prize - $100 for favourite work as selected by our Middle of Everywhere Team. The People’s Choice winner in each category will also receive a prize.  

The 2024 Wellington Youth Art Prize exhibition will be displayed in the Young Exhibitors Space at the Gippsland Art Gallery between 12 October and 15 November 2024.

Artworks in all mediums are accepted (some limitations apply). Please read the Terms and Conditions and contact Youth Council on 5142 3280 with any queries.

If you require any further information, email youthcouncil@wellington.vic.gov.au

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We are looking for young people aged 12 to 25 to plan and lead FReeZA events in Wellington Shire. If you're interested in learning more about the music industry or organising live music, cultural, or other events for young people, please send us an FReeZA Expression of Interest Form.

For more information, contact Helen Waddington, Youth Project Officer for FReeZA, at helenw@wellington.vic.gov.au or call 0473 737 274.

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This project was a partnership between Wellington Shire Council and the Youth Affairs Council Victoria. This project received grant funding from the Australian Federal Government.

Future Proof was a collective impact project led by the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, which brought together eight local councils, two Aboriginal CCOs, two LLENs, and Victoria University. Its purpose was to drive recovery outcomes for young people and communities affected by fires in Eastern Victoria.

Young people play a critical role in disaster recovery and in securing the future of affected communities. The Future Proof project incorporated the experiences, perspectives, and skills of young people into the rebuilding and preparedness efforts of their communities. It recognized the importance of place-based activities and youth work principles, ensuring engagement, support, and training that effectively connect young people and deliver youth-led community recovery projects in a flexible way.

The Youth Team created a series of videos with young volunteers to highlight why they care about volunteering in their communities, you can watch them here.

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Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy will help you find local support for what you need. Whether its Wi-Fi charging, housing, food, health, drugs and alcohol, finding work, money or lots of other things, Izzy could help you out!

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Gippsland Youth Service Directory

The Gippsland Youth Service Directory has been developed specifically for Gippsland. The directory can help you find out where to get help for health, sexual identity, jobs and courses, money, family violence and more.

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Lifeline

Lifeline provides 24/7 phone support services and online chat support from 7pm to midnight (Sydney time). Call 13 11 14 or follow the link for online services.

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Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline provides 24/7 phone support and online chat support services. You can also email them and get a response within 24 hours.

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BeyondBlue

BeyondBlue provides online chat (from 7pm-midnight, 7 days a week) or phone support (24/7).

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Headspace

Headspace provides online chat support from 9am to 1am (Melbourne time), if you can't or don't want to make a phone call. There is also a Group Chat option to speak with people who are going through the same thing as you.

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AXIOS – LGBTQIA+ Social Support Group

AXIOS is a fortnightly support program for young people aged 12 - 17 who live, work, study or hang out in Wellington.

In a safe environment, young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are questioning their identity, will be able to explore their relationships with themselves, others and their community.

AXIOS meets fortnightly on a Wednesday in Sale. Complete the Expression of Interest Form to join.

The Wellington Youth Services Network (WYSN) is a network of youth service providers, local government, government agencies, educational institutions, not for profits and individuals - anyone interested in youth affairs within the Wellington Shire is welcome to join.  

The purpose of WYSN is to:

• Strengthen the sectors capacity to respond to issues impacting young people in Wellington
• Promote information sharing amongst services
• Advocate for the provision of services and resources necessary for young people to reach their full potential
• Encourage and support funding and partnership opportunities
• Provide collegial support
• Provide access to professional development opportunities
• Promote young people's contributions to the community

Each meeting has a focus and there is an opportunity for networking following the meetings.

Contact the Wellington Shire Council Youth Team on youth@wellington.vic.gov.au.

The TAC L2P Learner Driver Mentoring Program is designed to get you into the drivers' seat of your independence: literally!

You will be matched with a volunteer mentor driver and sponsored vehicle to get those 120 hours up and ensure your experience with L2P is second to none. You decide the time, you decide the regularity and you decide how far you're willing to go to get your P's.

The program will:

• Provide you with 7 driving lessons with a Drive School
• Match you up with a Mentor
• Provide use of the L2P Program Car
• Assist you with Driver Safety education and knowledge

Further information on the program may be obtained via the TAC L2P Program page on the VicRoads website.

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Who should apply?

Young people aged 16 - 20 who:

• Hold a current Learners Permit
• Have no access to a suitable vehicle, a supervising driver, or both
• Have a connection with the Wellington or East Gippsland Shire

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How does it work?

• The goal is for a young person to gain extensive on-road experience to build their skills and confidence.
• Young people are matched with trained volunteer mentors who support them to gain 120 hours of supervised driving.
• The volunteer mentors are given intensive training by VicRoads and undergo mandatory checks and training with Mission Australia staff to provide a quality program for young people.
• Eligible young people are offered a minimum of one hour of supervised driving each week.

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Referrals

Referrals may be made by:

• Community agencies
• Schools
• Case managers
• Eligible young drivers

Once the learner driver application form below is completed and received, the L2P Program Facilitator will contact the young person to schedule an interview time.

To refer a young person, please complete the Community L2P Referral Form via the TAC L2P Program page on the VicRoads website.

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Become a Volunteer Mentor

Mentoring is a rewarding experience, and a fantastic way of connecting with others and making a difference in a young person's life. Volunteers are required to:

• Hold a current full Victorian Drivers Licence and good driving record
• Be interested in helping young people from diverse backgrounds
• Be over 21 years of age
• A Police Check, Licence Check and Working with Children Check are required for all Volunteers prior to acceptance into the program - costs are met by the program
• Complete the VicRoads Volunteer Supervising Driver Training
• Commit a minimum of 1-2 hours per week for 12 months

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For further information please contact the TAC L2P Coordinator Sarah Jones on email JonesSar@missionaustralia.com.au or phone 0419 605 533.

Autumn edition of Youth Illustrated

Youth Illustrated is a Wellington Youth Council-led zine for young people who are connected to the Wellington Shire. Click on the button below to check out the new Autumn edition.

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Previous Issues

Youth Illustrated, Issue No 1 - Spring 2022

Welcome to the Wellington Shire Council HEY (Healthy Equal Youth) Grant, focusing on sharing the issues and experiences of young LGBTQIA+ people who live in Wellington.

We've produced a series of inspirational HEY Wellington videos that will help you understand what the HEY Grant is all about. Visit our YouTube channel to watch the series of 7 videos, from 4 different activists who will inspire you to step up to the HEY Wellington challenge and tell your own story.

In 2020, presenters included four notable people: writer Nevo Zisin, educator Daniel Witthaus, transgender actress Georgie Stone and her mother, Rebekah Robertson, chosen to share their stories of experiences and issues faced as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Watch short videos on each of their stories and quick-cut Q&As below or on YouTube here.

A number of young people who registered for the HEY Wellington project are now completing a series of workshops facilitated by ABC Gippsland producer and presenter Amber Irving-Guthrie, giving each a better opportunity to develop and tell their personal stories.  

The HEY Grant is funded and supported by the Victorian Government.

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Storytelling Videos

Watch Georgie Stone's storytelling video

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Watch Rebekah Robertson's storytelling video

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Watch Nevo Zisin's storytelling video

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Watch Daniel Witthaus' storytelling video

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Q&A Videos

Watch Georgie Stone and her Mum, Rebekah Robertson's Q&A session

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Watch Nevo Zisin's Q&A session

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Watch Daniel Witthaus' Q&A session