Please find below a letter explaining the purpose of the Gold Coast Check It Fest and asking for youth appropriate donations to use as giveaways on the day. Any donations will be used to engage young people in conversation around the key messages of the event.

These are;
Check – in with your mates: A good mate checks in with their friends to see if they are all good
Check – out services: There are free, youth friendly services and places on the Gold Coast if you or your mates need support
Check – yourself: It’s ok to ask for help or support if you’re having a hard time

If you have any questions please contact myself Teniele (Tink) Oats on 5509 5900.

The Australian Youth Forum (AYF) is keen to hear from young people on the issues of youth homelessness and youth mental health.

The AYF encourages young people to get involved in public discussion and gives them the opportunity to make sure their ideas are considered in the development of Australian public policy, programs or projects.

The AYF will use the feedback received from young people to produce an AYF report on each issue. The report will be provided to the Australian Government and posted on the AYF website.

Check out the AYF website for more information and to have a say.

A new magazine designed for young people entering high school for the first time has been launched in Queensland and has received a highly positive response; the magazine is now available online.

Called Consume, the magazine is designed to ‘plug a gap’ in the information provided to young people in Grade 8. It aims to promote healthy attitudes towards body image, health and sexuality, and to encourage tolerance and personal responsibility. The first issue of the Consume was actually completed in 2011 and was reprinted due to high demand in 2012. This issue is now online and can be accessed at: http://consumemagazine.com/ Currently a second issue of Consume is being prepared; the deadline for contributions is 30 November 2013.

The magazine developed out of an idea to ‘create a forum where youth workers and young people could contribute information that they thought would be beneficial’ to young Queenslanders. Topics covered range from positive body image to politics and activism to how the body changes during puberty; it will be of interest to all young Australians.

The Eating Disorders Association Inc. is responsible for compiling Consume, and funding comes from the Youth Development and Support Program (managed by DEEWR) and also some funds from the Queensland Department of Communities and the Mental Health Directorate of Queensland. It is a great resource.

Source: Youth Field Xpress, 22 May 2013

beyondblue, the national organisation that works to combat depression and anxiety in Australia, is holding a competition specifically for 12- to 25-year-olds as part of this year’s National Youth Week.

Young people are asked to submit a picture and caption that best reflects this year’s National Youth Week theme: ‘Be active. Be happy. Be you.’ Entrants will be in the running to win a $1,000 surfboard. The competition can be accessed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/beyondblue?ref=ts&fref=ts)

For more competition details and ideas about how to make your Youth Week events a success, go to: http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/home/national-youth-week-2013/

(Source: Youth Field Xpress March 2013 and email from Youthbeyondblue, 12 March 2013.)

The National Dental Foundation is providing free oral health care to needy community members in March. If your organisation is keen on being involved, please download the forms attached below and return to adminqld@nationaldentalfoundation.org.au.
Please note the upcoming Dental Rescue Days scheduled and where they will be held:

• 6th March 2013, Cornerstone Dental, Darra Qld 4076
  
• 21st March 2013, Boondall Dental Care, Boondall Qld 4034
  

• 22nd March 2013, Nina Bambino Dental, Ashgrove 4060

• 5th April 2013, Noosaville dental, Noosaville Qld
  
• 15th May 2013, North Gold Coast Dental, RUNAWAY BAY 4216
  

www.nationaldentalfoundation.org.au