National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell has called on Queensland authorities to end their policy of sentencing 17-year-old offenders to serve their sentences in adult prisons.

Ms Mitchell said that Queensland is the only jurisdiction to allow this policy.

‘Sending 17-year-olds to adult prisons is actually a contravention of Australia's obligations under the Convention for the Rights of the Child,’ she said.

‘That convention, which nearly every country in the world has signed, specifically notes that children have particular developmental needs and requirements and need to be treated differently than adults, and that includes 17-year-olds.’

Ms Mitchell, who is currently touring Australia to speak to children and child advocates, urged the Queensland Government to divert prisons funding into programs that promote school retention, training and employment, and programs that support families and people dealing with drug abuse.

(Source: Youth Field Xpress June)

Dear Friends and Allies

We wish to inform you that SUFY’s project 300 funding has been ceased. Project 300 funding was distributed among several advocacy organisations throughout the state to ensure people with a mental illness had access to strong independent advocacy.

SUFY’s advocacy has assisted people to find housing and maintain their tenancy, access appropriate mental health services, provide support at mental health tribunals, advocate for people caught up in the criminal justice system, raise complaints about inadequate support service provision., assist people who are living in health institutions to make complaints to the Australian Human Rights commission and advocate for people who subject to abuse and neglect. There is no greater need for individual advocacy for people with a mental illness given the introduction of DisabilityCare Australia and the support they will need to understand and have fair access to this initiative.

The state government provides very limited advocacy funding to the Brisbane region to protect the human rights of people with a disability. When SUFY’s funding from the state is ceased the total amount of state funding for individual advocacy for people with a disability, in a city of over 2 million people will be only $211,000. This funding will be solely allocated to advocacy for people with a disability from a non English speaking background.

To date we have not been given a reason why a decision was made to cease only SUFY’s funding. As the state funding was one third of SUFY’s budget this funding cut will severely compromise SUFY’s entire advocacy program.

If you are of the view that the state governments decision will impact negatively on people with a mental illness we would encourage you to contact:

Minister for Health
Hon Lawrence Springborg
Phone: 07 3234 1191
Fax: 07 3229 0444
Email: Health@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Address: GPO Box 48
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
Hon Tracy Davis
Phone:07 3235 4280
Fax: 07 3012 7704
Email: ccsds@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Address: GPO Box 806
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Premier
Hon Campbell Newman
Phone: 07 3224 4500
Fax: 07 3221 1809
Email: thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au
Address: PO Box 15185
CITY EAST QLD 4002

Local Member
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/en/members/current/list

We thank you for your support.

Regards

Dianne Toohey
Coordinator
Speaking Up For You
Ph: (07) 3255 1244
The Precinct
Unit F2, 1st Floor
12 Browning Street
PO Box 5649
West End Q 4101

The Valuing Diversity Grants Program 2013–14 enhances community awareness about cultural diversity and its benefits, and will support multicultural events across Queensland. Through this program, funding will be allocated to multicultural events across Queensland in the 2014 calendar year in two categories–with up to $20,000 per grant available under the Signature Events category, and up to $10,000 under the Culturally Diverse Events category.

I encourage community groups, non-government organisations and local governments to submit funding applications for events across Queensland that engage our diverse cultural communities, and people from the wider community, in activities that promote positive community relations, community cohesion and a greater understanding of cultural diversity.

Funding to support initiatives to address identified needs and issues will be announced at a later time.

The 2013–14 Funding Information Paper has further details about funding priorities, categories and criteria, as well as how to develop and submit funding proposals. The 2013–14 Funding Information Paper and Application Form are available from the department’s website at www.datsima.qld.gov.au/multicultural.

The Multicultural Affairs Queensland will conduct information sessions in June 2013 concerning the Valuing Diversity Grants Program. Further details will soon be available on the above website.

If you would like further information regarding the program or the submission of funding applications, please contact Multicultural Affairs Queensland on (07) 3224 5006 or email MAQ@datsima.qld.gov.au.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 10 July 2013.

Source: email from Debbie Best (4/6/13)

Draft one of the proposed new Community Development qualifications is open for feedback for four weeks from Monday 20 May to Friday 14 June 2013 There have been some significant changes to the Training Packages and feedback is essential to inform development and ensure industry relevance.

The draft documents are available to download as PDF documents. Please ensure you have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat to download and view the documents.

Please ensure you have read the 'Consultation Paper' document prior to submitting feedback so that your comments are based on the most recent draft. Follow the links for:

• Detailed information on Community Development Qualifications 
• Detailed information on Community Development Units of Competency

Use the  online feedback form to make your submission or make a detailed submission in writing to:

CS&HISC Training Package Review
PO Box H61
Australia Square
NSW   1215

Or email: Emma.Richards@cshisc.com.au

Our Neighbourhood Community Grants encourage registered charities and community organisations to apply for funding of one-off cash payments between $1,000 and $25,000, for projects that will help to build healthier, more vibrant and more inclusive communities across Australia. 

Organisations interested in applying for a grant should visit www.ourneighbourhood.com.au
-Applications open 13 May
-Applications close 28 June
-Assessment stage in July/August
-Grant funding awarded in September

Source: NTYAN enews 3/6/13

 2013 Make the Difference! grants are open to applications from community not-for-profits and charities whose work is supporting disadvantaged young Australians.  

This program is aimed at 15-25 year old people who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or indigenous. Funded projects have been in the areas of financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring.  Each grant application must have the support of a financial planning professional in its local area and must be submitted by close of business Wednesday 31 July 2013. New grants will be announced in October.

For more information click www.future2foundation.org.au/grants.

Source: NTYAN enews 3/6/13

FRRR and Heywire are collaborating to help communities put into action the great ideas generated by the 32 young Australians who attended the 2013 Heywire Regional Youth Summit. ABC Radio’s Heywire Regional Youth Summit has been held annually in Canberra since 1998. The summit is open to people aged 16-22, living in regional or rural Australia, and designed to involve young people in a national conversation.

For the first time, FRRR is providing up to $70,000 to assist not-for-profit organisations in regional Australian communities ‘adopt’ and pilot one of seven Heywire project ideas.

1. Farmers’ Future - Valuing Food Producers
2. Cutting the Red Tape - Building Vibrant Regional Communities for Young People
3. The Green Room - Mental Health
4. Getting the Balance Right Media - Representation of Youth
5. Breaking Down the Door - Acceptance of LGBT Communities
6. Keys Please - Drink Driving
7. Fresh Faced Friday - Body Image

Seven communities will each receive up to $10,000 to pilot one Heywire project idea in their community. Applications that tap into the strengths of young people and adapt the project to their own local situation are encouraged.

Applications are open from 1 May 2013 and close 7 June 2013. Please make sure you read the Heywire booklet and grant guidelines before beginning your application.  We strongly recommend you look at the Heywire website to see more information on the project idea your community is thinking about adopting.

• Heywire Youth Summit Report
• Heywire Guidelines
• Heywire Application Form

If you have any questions, please see the FAQs and our top tips before calling FRRR on free call 1800 170 020 or get in touch with us via Facebook or Twitter.

Successful groups will be announced the 14 August.

Source: NTYAN enews 3/6/13

The Australian Government Office for Youth is seeking an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young person, aged 12-25 years, to be a member of the National Youth Week (NYW) 2014 National Planning Group.

The successful applicant will play an important role in providing advice to increase engagement and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people during NYW 2014. They will have input into the planning, promotion, implementation and evaluation of NYW 2014 at a national level. 

Expressions of Interest for the 2014 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Government Representative are now open and will close on at 11am (AEST) Friday 14 June. 

Check out the NYW website for more info http://www.youthweek.com. You can email your completed Expression of Interest to the NYW Secretariat at nationalyouthweek@deewr.gov.au

During National Youth Week 2013, the Federal Minister for Youth the Hon Peter Garrett MP launched the National Youth Awards. The initiative aims to celebrate and recognise Australia’s young people by acknowledging their outstanding achievements.

In total, there are seven awards available in different categories. Six of the awards are for individuals and one award highlights positive media focusing on young people. Each award category winner (with the exception of the Positive Media Award) will receive $2000, a trophy and certificate. The winner of the Positive Media Award will receive a trophy and a certificate.

Applications close: 11pm AEST 23 June 2013. To download the nomination form and guidelines visit http://www.youthweek.com/nya

Grants to boost science and maths graduates
Six universities will work with schools to inspire the next generation of professionals in science, technology, engineering and maths. >>Read more

$4.55 million to help build multicultural communities
Community organisations across Australia are being encouraged to apply for grants under the Gillard Government's $4.55 million Building Multicultural Communities Program. >>Read more

$8 million to help Creative Young Stars
Applications for the Gillard Government's Creative Young Stars program will officially open on June 1. >>Read more

Source: Jan McLucas Grants Bulletin