At the Drug Policy Modelling Program we are conducting the first ever study in Australia into youth attitudes to media reporting on drugs. Over 1500 young people have already helped out with our Drug Media Survey but we want to hear from more of you.

Who pushes your buttons? Someone of the same sex? Are you 14-21? Be part of the third national Australian Writing Themselves in Survey (WTi3)

Go to www.wti3.org.au and write yourself in to Australian history! This is THE survey that makes a REAL difference to policies and services; and has for over 10 years! Tell your friends, rainbow teachers and groups to support it now - before the survey closes in April 2010.

Source: the Australian Research Centre in Sex Health and Society

Cancer Council Queensland invites young people to participate in an exciting event... Youth Tobacco Free Day.  Youth Tobacco Free Day will occur on 19 March and is the one day of the year dedicated to encouraging young people (10 to 25 years) to quit smoking or prevent them from taking up smoking.

In 2010, the theme of Youth Tobacco Free Day is “How much is smoking REALLY costing you?”.  It aims to educate young people about the financial costs of smoking, but also the cost to their appearance, fitness and social life.

Is success at school just about your marks? Young Australians are now having their say by joining a huge national campaign called Tell Us Are you more than your marks?

Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) has commissioned Mr Vince Callaghan to write two FREE e-guides, ASG's Get Smart Guide and ASG's Get Smart Scholarships Guide. Both guides are aimed at supporting students and their families through this important life stage. It is vital that students and their families are aware of the pending changes so that they can better understand the issues and make more informed decisions.

Applications are now being accepted for Oxfam International Youth Partnerships until the 12th February 2010.

Oxfam International Youth Partnerships (OIYP) is an Oxfam International initiative, managed by Oxfam Australia since 2000. OIYP strengthens young people’s ability to effect change in their community, and provides a base from which they can influence broader changes through engagement in a global network of over 1100 OIYP Action Partners.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Youth Kate Ellis recently launched a new national competition to stimulate fresh ideas about how young people can connect with their communities.

The annual Prime Minister’s Australian Youth Forum Challenge will start next year.

Are you aged between 12 to 24 years and have experienced physical violence, directly or indirectly, or know someone who has? Do you have a view on youth violence in your neighbourhood, town or city?

If so, please take 5 minutes to complete the Impact of Violence on Young Australians Survey at http://is.gd/4wzlL.

Statement from the Commonwealth Government

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Youth Kate Ellis today launched a nationwide discussion with young people as part of the National Strategy for young Australians.

The National Conversation was simultaneously launched by the Prime Minister during a live web chat with young people and by Minister Ellis at the first forum at Lyneham High School in Canberra.

Livewire: online communities for families affected by a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.

The Office of the Private Commissioner has released private i, a privacy survival guide for young people, on topics including:

• online social networking
• identity theft
• scanning of ID documents at pubs and clubs
• ‘blacklists'
• online shopping
• dealing with telemarketers
• responding to requests for personal information.

It also discusses the pitfalls to avoid, and where to get help if your privacy has been affected.

For more information visit http://www.privacy.gov.au/topics/youth/index.html.

Source: CommunityNet

The Job Guide helps young people explore career options and make subject choices. It provides information about a wide range of occupations and the education and training pathways that lead to them. It also includes useful information on the job search process, provides details of available government assistance and suggests where to go for further information.

A version specifically designed for mobile phone interfaces is available at http://www.mobile.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/ (phone charges may apply when accessing this from your mobile phone/pda).

Source: CommunityNet.

'Youthcentral', the Victorian Government's website for young people aged 12-25, has launched a new web-based resource called Do-it-yourself Democracy.

The Australian Youth Forum has publised a guide that aims to let the youth of Australia know about important Budget initiatives and many other recent Australian Government announcements. You can download the guide, or watch video messages from the Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis at http://www.youth.gov.au/budget.html.

Registration for the ROCKhampton351 music camp from 26th to 29th June 2009 are open. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and flyers.

Get Out There (www.getoutthere.qld.gov.au/) is a website that provides information to help you in buying your first car, keeping your money under control, renting your own place, going to university, making smart choices as a consumer and getting set for Schoolies.

The website is published by the Queensland Department of Justice and the Attorney General.

Unite, the Union of Fast-Food and Retail workers in Victoria has accused the 7-Eleven franchise in that State of underpaying workers by up to 45% below the minimum wage and of forcing staff to work long hours without breaks (see the video below for details ).

In April, federal Workplace Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson launched a new fact sheet to inform young people about their workplace rights. The fact sheet, covers topics such as workplace agreements, correct rates of pay, holiday entitlements and tips on what to expect when finishing up with an employer.

You can download the fact sheet from the Workplace Ombudsman's website at: http://tinyurl.com/4scd4n.

Young workers in Queensland can get advice and help about workplace matters from the Young Workers Advisory Service - http://www.ywas.org.

Mission Australia has launched the 2008 Survey of Young Australians - the largest survey of young people around the country.  They are calling on all people, from all areas of the country, aged 11 to 24 years to participate in the survey. In its 7th year, the survey aims to identify what matters to young people, who they admire and where they turn for advice.

If you, or someone you know, would like to complete the survey either

• log onto www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey or;
•  Download, print out and fax/post back this PDF version.

By Malcolm King.
First Posted at On Line Opinion , Friday, 2 November 2007

Do you want to study at a university or TAFE next year?  To paraphrase former American President John F. Kennedy, then ask not what you can do for your university, but what your university can do for you.

In this article I have listed 10 'must ask' questions, which will help prospective tertiary students decide which university, or TAFE is right for them.

Legal Aid Queensland is the largest legal service provider in Queensland providing legal information, advice and representation (or going to court) for children and young people.  Below you will find more information about the services they provide and how to access their online resources.

Ignite is a free, monthly e-newsletter for enterprising young people. Each edition includes information about opportunities, contacts and inspiration to help you build your business and career.  You can find the latest edition (and sign up for future ones) at http://www.frankteam.com.au/ignite/

Ignite is published by the FRANK Team.  The FRANK Team provide skills training, guest speakers and resources in entrepreneurship and career passion for young people and corporates.

The following list of Career information services was compiled by Diana Cogill from UQ Student Services.

In November 2006, a group of young people representing 35 youth organisations from around Australia formed the Australian Youth Climate Coalition , a non-partisan group which aims to educate young people about the environmental impacts of climate change and mobilise young people to take action to stop climate change and create a 'clean energy future'.  For more information about the group and its campaigns, visit the AYCC website: http://www.youthclimatecoalition.org.

Source: Youth Field Xpress, newsletter of the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies.

Children by Choice has received funding for a project to improve young Queensland women’s access to information, support and education regarding their sexual and reproductive health, in particular for issues relating to unplanned pregnancy. The project aims to

1. Identify the unmet information and support needs of young women and the health professionals and youth and community workers who work with them, in the area of sexual and reproductive health;
2. Identify, develop and implement strategies to improve young women’s access to these services;
3. Develop collaborative partnerships with relevant agencies such as Family Planning QLD to plan, develop and deliver information, education and support activities;
4. Develop training resources and information for adults and peer leaders involved in sexual health education, including training workshops, class activities, information sheets and articles.

If you would like to know more about this project or become involved, please contact the Project Officer on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 3357 5377.

Education Queensland has developed three Queensland Academies that are the first of their kind in Australia:

1. Queensland Academy for Creative Industries 
2. Queensland Academy for Health Sciences
3. The Queensland Academy for Health Sciences