In recent years we have seen a lack of interest in policy and program areas focusing on young people and their primary health. More recently, funding cuts to youth and health services in Queensland have had a dramatic impact on service providers and young people who rely on these services. At the same time, it has been refreshing to see the Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local (MNBML) work in a meaningful way with relevant non-government organisations to engage with specific population groups including marginalised young people.

The collaboration between Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) and MNBML allowed an in-depth analysis of contemporary data available as well as exploration of practice wisdom developed over time by local service providers. Young people’s direct voice in this research, as well as their contribution to the validation of various aspects of the research findings, has ensured the authenticity of information presented in the context of young people’s lives.

The research team headed by Mr John Flanagan from How Now Solutions and YANQ (supported by the Queensland University of Technology) has produced one of the most comprehensive reports on young people and primary health services in Queensland. The enthusiasm of young people, youth workers and primary health service providers engaged during this research has given us hope that
the findings and recommendations of this report will play a significant role in planning processes in the Brisbane North region in the years to come.

Click here to download the report or read online below.

"The Murri Youth Sector in Queensland" report outlines the conduct and findings of a significant research project undertaken with Murri youth services in three parts of Queensland. It presents a summary of themes and draws attention to some of the possibilities for future actions and research that have emerged from an evidence base that has not previously been documented on the profi le and demographics of this sector.

Download the report here: Murri Youth Sector in Queensland report

By Melissa Lucashenko (Yugambeh)

During 2009 YANQ conducted research into youth work in Queensland. The Murri part of the research asked youth workers, managers and volunteers (both Murri and Migaloo) what they thought were the key values for doing this kind of work well. The researchers were told that some of the important values underlying Murri youth work were:

1. Relevant cultural identity and life-experience of the youth worker
2. Respect, open mindedness, and listening
3. Patience, tolerance and compassion
4. Working from the grassroots and walking alongside young people
5. Providing leadership and role models
6. Passion
7. Honesty

This Discussion Paper is about what youth work actually means in Murri culture, why values are important, and what difference it makes to youth work to have these Murri values in mind.

Download the Paper here.

We look forward to receiving your feedback on this discussion paper. Please send your response to director at yanq dot org dot au.