20. Loren Reid

2 May

“You should be able to be you, without judgment”

Legalising gay marriage is probably the most controversial topic discussed in today’s society. Loren Reid, graduated from Eltham High in 2010. Having been open about her sexuality throughout high school, she was given the opportunity to spread awareness about her views, and consult other students. She’s always been comfortable with herself, and her peers were all well aware of this. Attending Eltham High, they had always encouraged all students to stand up for their opinions and were ever so understanding of such difficulties young people face especially during this period in their life.

It all started when she was approached by her welfare c0ordinator. She was asked to consult a year 7 student, who was confused about their sexuality. Being able to understand their position, she thought it would be great to help them out. From then on, she created this mentoring program at school for those students who just wanted someone to talk to about their sexuality.

Loren’s passion for such an issue has impacted the school and the wider community. During her time working on the mentoring project she was approached by several different organisations that provide support and a social environment for same sex attracted or transgender young people. One of these being EGG; The Eltham Gay Group that caters for young people in Banyule and Nillumbik who are gay or questioning their sexuality. She has been working with EGG for some time, supporting same sex individuals as well as spreading awareness about the impacts of bullying.

Currently Loren’s working on a project on behalf of EGG in association with The Banyule Council, in creating an anti-bullying campaign. In collaboration with Banyule 100′s Sean Porter, the aim is to create a series of short videos ads taking on a satirical view on different forms of bullying. Their plan is to send it to schools aimed at students between Years 8-10. After watching the ad she hopes to create small discussion groups, dividing boys from girls and allowing students to tell their stories, giving them the opportunity to be heard.

Loren went through a few difficult years when she was just starting high school, during that period in life she looked up to a few Youtube stars. ‘That really got me through at the time’ She hopes to promote her anti-bullying campaign via Youtube, and other social networking sites such as Tumblr.

She’s currently being approached by schools to talk to students about sexuality, and hopes to take life as it comes step by step. Her hopes ideally are for people to learn to accept that sexuality isn’t a choice, but a part of life.

Words By:Lucy Zhao

Photo by: Sean Porter

© Sean Porter 2011

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19. Stephanie Livingstone

5 Mar

Stephanie Livingstone has an interesting theory. She considers education to be currency. It flows naturally that her investment into bettering the lives of individuals in the developing would be through teaching. At the age of 20 and with no formal training Steph realized that a love of teaching as a skillset could be more valuable than a merely financial contribution to combatting some of the challenges faced by the small Indonesian community of Sembalun on the small island of Lombok.

Steph’s induction into helping others came into its own in her local community. Volunteering in the St Vincent De Paul Society and serving as the Diamond Valley division’s Vice President set her apart from many people her age – volunteering in a soup van for the homeless as well as helping out at holiday programs and kids days. It was through this experience that Steph first learnt about UN Youth. UN Youth had at its core an educational purpose, and anyone that watched Steph in action will agree that she truly did justice to UN Youth’s tagline to “open young eyes to the world”.

Graduating quite quickly from facilitating workshops in classrooms to organising them Steph was delivered a significant challenge.  Reflecting on her experiences she describes the process as an opportunity to learn about teamwork, leadership and to channel her passions into real outcomes. Her passion for the plight of Asylum Seekers and Refugees influenced her choice of theme for two day long events for Year 9 students, attracting over 400 attendees. Steph remembers standing nervously in front of “a stadium of young faces” trying to start up a conversation which is often sensationalized by politicians and figures in the media. Regardless, Steph relished the challenge and has soared to great heights utilising the skills she has developed along the way.

Steph’s most recent and exciting project has developed since returning from a month long visit to Sembalun, Lombok in 2010. The village is located precariously at the base of a Volcano and has been the catalyst for a major realignment of her world view. Steph says that her “whole perspective on life was turned on its head”, returning she harboured “a resentment of Western Culture, stayed away from shopping and was unable to take part in consumer culture after watching friends of mine living on less than $4 a day in Lombok”. Personal friendships formed and a feeling of welcome have aided Steph’s ability to build her project in Sembalun. At home in Australia Steph continues to teach English classes by Skype with a classroom sitting around a mobile phone on loudspeaker.

Steph radiates positivity and enthusiasm. What’s the secret? “Focus on something that resonates with you, take opportunities to take that spark or frustration and do something about it” oh and another thing “you can never dream too large, get a team together and strive for ten times what you think is possible”.

Steph’s big dream for the future of the Skype program is for it to go National and has already begun building capacity here in Banyule conducting a pilot program at St Martins of Tours Primary School in Rosanna. This component will have primary schoolers taking part in letter-writing and creating storybooks that can be used by Steph as a teaching tool and foster a greater understanding of the lives of kids in Indonesia.

Steph and the Skype program are taking off but not without the support of her community. So far the program has had a positive reception in schools as teachers and students recognize the real opportunity to experience cultural exchange. Individuals are encouraged to contact Steph to register their interest in supporting the program, “Support comes in many forms but really it’s what people are capable of it could be money, or donation of resources but the more important thing is education and awareness”. Listening to her speak I am endeared to her cause, her moral obligation to enhance kids access to universal and basic education. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? And we’re all hoping that simplicity spells her success.

Steph can be contacted at Stephanie_livo@hotmail.com

Words By:Anna Carrig

 

Photo by: Sean Porter

 

© Sean Porter 2011

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18. Anushka Phal

6 Feb
 

 

When you walk past Anushka in the school yard, she comes across as an everyday teenager. After ten minutes of conversation with her, you discover she is much more than an everyday teenager and has huge and inspiring dreams to help and support people in need.

Anushka is a New Zealandborn Indo-Fijian( better known as Fiji Indian). She migrated to Australiawhen she was 8 years old with her parents and her little brother. She speaks both Hindi and English. Her family are her biggest inspiration, especially her grandfather and the stories she hears about him and how he has influenced so many people in a positive way and have supported so many people. Unfortunately for Anushka, her grandfather and the rest of her extended family live back inFiji.

At the tender age of 16, Anushka has already helped many people and raised a significant amount of money. Her latest project is called ‘A Drop of Clean Water Please’.  “A Drop of Clean Water” is the name of my campaign page which I opened through mycharitywater.org. This organisation allows individuals to open campaigns and help raise money for their cause- which was to build wells in villages that do not have clean water sources.”

Anushka made posters and posted them around her school promoting her fundraising efforts. She also set up a Facebook page with more information about her campaign, made presentations at school assemblies and made personal approaches to teachers, family and friends.  In 60 days she raised over $600 which is enough money to provide 32 people in a developing country with access to clean water. Anushka plans to fundraise for The Brosnan Centre and the Fred Hollows foundation in the future.

Anushka said experiences in her life such as losing her grand aunt in 2010 and seeing people in difficult circumstances inFiji motivated her to reach out to others. “It is my passion to help others, be it a small favour or a charity campaign.” This is amazing coming from a teenager, as most teenagers are busy pursuing personal interests and hanging out with their friends.

This years Anushka is going to complete year 12 at LoyolaCollege. She will be studying Business Management, Chemistry, Literature, Further Maths and Psychology. She plans to go to university and study Optometry because her life ambition is to work for the Fred Hollows Foundation inFiji.

Anushka is a great person with a positive attitude. She has very high personal standards and is a great role model for other teenagers. She believes one person can make a difference. It is only a matter of time before more people come to benefit from Anushka’s efforts.

Words By:Lewis Harry

Photo by: Melanie Price 

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17. Emma Brett

30 Jan

Setting her sights on serving our community as a police officer at a young age, before sparking an interest in wildlife from beloved family camping trips- Emma Brett; a 22 year old chocolate and Brussels sprout lover, has a profound passion for responsible food purchasing.

A recent graduate and honours student of Deakin University, Emma is keen on sparking awareness in the community as to how our everyday choices can have a lasting impact on the world- both positive and negative.

In her second year of University she went on an Environmental exchange to Canada. Upon her return  unshe started a questionnaire with the assistance of her University lecturer. She asked one thousand people from five different suburbs if they ever considered where the food that they put into their mouths each day came from. When the results came in and weren’t what she fancied, her desire for change emerged.

When asked how she lives an eco-friendly lifestyle, she responded by stating that she’s “trying to eat more in season food… and won’t buy food from overseas”. Whilst she agrees that these tasks may be difficult as she isn’t living alone and has to share a lifestyle with others, she is still an admirable role-model by making her own bread, planning her weekly meals ahead of time, growing her own food at home, and eating as a vegetarian. She even looked into fostering a local community garden in a vacant block of land and whilst she was unable to because the land was privately owned, it still remains an interest of hers.

Her goals for the future are high as she hopes to pursue her passions by continuing her research, returning to Canada for permanent work and “educating people by running a university subject or working with kids in a school”.

Her advice to people of all ages is that “You don’t have to be a hippie” to “do your own research” and “know what’s in season”. “You can look at any books from the library or websites which will tell you what’s in season and try to work around that”. Whilst you may not feel as though your actions are contributing, “even if it’s one person, you can make a difference”.

Words By:Annalisa Cercone

Photo by: Sean Porter

© Sean Porter 2011

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16. Cheryle Michael

20 Jan
 

 

Cheryle Michael is the Youth Planning and Policy Officer at Banyule City Council.  She has worked in Youth Services at Council for a number of years and in addition to the planning and policy role has had other positions including the Employment Education and Training Officer role and has worked as a Team Leader.

Cheryle also worked at the Banyule Community Health Service as a JPET (Job Placement, Employment and Training) worker based in Greensborough and West Heidelberg. JPET was a program to assist homeless young people to find accommodation, training and work.  Most of the young people she assisted came from the northern suburbs. Cheryle has fond memories of working at the Community Health Centre as all the staff were really friendly and keen to help whenever and wherever they could. The best thing about working in that environment was knowing that the people you were referring your clients to were helpful and respectful of young people. This meant that young people could feel confident and comfortable about the help they got and that they were able to ‘get back on track’ quickly.

Prior to her time with JPET she was a secondary school teacher and student welfare officer at a number of local schools. Cheryle found her work in schools very rewarding, particularly enjoying the planning of school camps and outdoor adventure activities. She has been from one end of Victoria to the other and interstate toTasmania and NSW.  From horse riding in Gippsland to canoeing down theMurray, she’s done it all.

Cheryle volunteers her time to sit on the Board of Management of Catchment Youth Services which is a youth refuge and accommodation support service for young people who are homeless. Cheryle described the refuge as a ‘home’ for these young people. Residents have their own room, share chores and share the space with 5 other young people. She also volunteers her time to sit on the Board for PRACE (Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education).

Back when Cheryle left school she was planning to be an Occupational Therapist but changed her mind a few weeks into the first semester. She then changed to Social Science (Economics, Politics and Sociology).

Cheryle said she enjoys working with young people. They are honest and grateful! Sometimes she feels young people have taught her more than she has helped them. ‘Young people have taught me to be tolerant, non judgemental, respectful and grateful and that everyone can achieve their goals, no matter what the barriers are.’ Some of the best moments of her career have been the thank you cards, the letters, the hugs of appreciation and the smiles.

In April of 2012 Cheryle is due to retire because, as she explained, it is time to achieve some of her other goals that she can’t achieve while continuing to work.

Frances Gianinotti, Cheryle’s Co-ordinator at Banyule Council, says Cheryle will be thoroughly missed by many people including residents and colleagues from across the community sectors. “Cheryle has enormous capacity for work and is tireless in her commitment to the Banyule community. Cheryle is very community minded and committed to positive outcomes for young people and the community. She has built strong partnerships across the service sector and is respected by her colleagues and peers”.

Words By:William De Maio

Photo by: Sean Porter

© Sean Porter 2011

 

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15. Ming Kang Chen

21 Dec

Ming Kang Chen was once a Mayor of Banyule. ‘But he’s so young’ I hear you saying to yourself, and I guess in response I should start by explaining where his journey began.

Ming Kang’s mum stumbled across an advertisement in the Banyule Banner looking for a young person living in Banyule to put themselves forward as a Young Mayor for the 2009 Banyule Youth Express, a Youth Summit otherwise known as the BYE. The role of the Mayor as Ming Kang explains is to help organise the event and assist with the running of the day, a sort of Master of Ceremonies. 2009 was actually the first BYE event, focused on the theme ‘Mental Health and Relationships’. The BYE is designed to bring young people with broad ranging views and experiences together to have input into the council’s decision making. A perk of the job for Ming Kang on taking it up was the opportunity to present the findings to Councillors and the Mayors at a Council meeting. Probed on whether he has ambitions to be mayor Ming Kang smirks, “It’s not on my short to long term outlook, but you never say never right?”.

What are his plans then? Ming Kang’s not absolutely sure himself, the future holds many opportunities as he muses that “I could be overseas, I could be here, I could be starting my own business”, the world is definitely his oyster. In the meantime Ming Kang is contently studying Marketing at theUniversityofMelbourneand he’s keen to try to put his skills to good use. Ming Kang would like to apply his skill set to good instead of simply “driving consumption”.

Beyond the requirements of University Ming Kang still stays involved with Council as a member of the Banyule Youth Participation Network (BYPN) and is involved with MUDS- the Melbourne Uni Debating Society. In his capacity at BYPN Ming Kang has supported the Banyule 100 project. Banyule100 has helped open his eyes to the variety of things that young people are doing in his community “I had no idea that there was a young person in Banyule composing operas… it really highlights the diversity that exists amongst young people”.

Ming Kang’s involvement with debating had opened his eyes in a different way and taken him from local competitions inCarltonand Clayton to international championships inKorea.  Just a short while ago Ming Kang travelled toKoreato the Australian debating Championship, commonly known as ‘Australs’. Ming Kang says that the thing that is most valuable about young people getting involved in debating is the ability that it fosters for people to better understand the world, to “understand why things are, or aren’t, the way they are”. Other skills you develop along the way aid confidence and prepare you to think on the spot- a skill that is put to use during our interview.

Ming  Kang’s funniest debating memory takes him back to an afternoon in high school when his teammate started a debate on conscription asking “Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he chose to”. Needless to say they didn’t win the debate, but the fun of it is what keeps him going back.

One thing that I greatly respect about Ming Kang is that he harbors a strong set of values which comes across in his humble, warm and unassuming manner. Somewhat boldly I enquire what it is that drives Ming Kang. After some confusion he consolidates this to a simple philosophy as he tries to “focus on what I feel is right”, particularly the focus on “finding the good in people”.

Ming Kang isn’t your typical young leader. Not particularly outspoken, his care for global issues is none-the-less there, a “quiet campaigner in my own head”. The example that Ming Kang sets is one of the variety of things that young people in Banyule are involved with and their capacity to break the prejudices that many adults hold toward their younger counterparts. As he says, “we’re not just complainers or radical or naïve”. A hope that Ming Kang and Sean Porter, the mind behind Banyule100, hope that projects like this will do is highlight the depth and breadth of young people’s experience and contribution. It’s young people like Ming Kang that help us to escape the overly simplified stereotypes. And on a side note- I think Ming Kang would make a really great Mayor one day.

Words By:Anna Carrig

Photo by: Sean Porter

© Sean Porter 2011

 

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14. Kosta and Johnny

16 Nov

Johnny and Kosta met in a juvenile detention facility and identified the need to create a program that would discourage young people from committing offences. They understand how making the wrong choices can change your life and are the founders of ‘Word on the Streets’ a program designed to keep young people out of the youth justice system. They recently received a grant from Youth Foundations Victoria West Heidelberg (YFV3081) which will enable them to visit schools in and around their community to spread their message.

Whilst Johnny and Kosta are trying to move on and become positive role models within the community,  moving forward with a criminal record attached to your name makes it difficult to leave the past behind. The aim of the program is to prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system and to deter them from making choices that could lead them to that path. They thought it would be good to share their insights with young people and talk about their experiences. They believe it is important to help young people stay out of trouble and stay connected with schooling.    

They believe that young people need to hear a positive message about school and the importance of education. They feel that it would have been highly beneficial if someone could have pointed them down the right track when they were younger. Kosta asks ‘why do you have to be locked up to get your point across?’ This is essentially the drive behind ‘Word on the Streets’.

It offers young people the chance to engage with people who have experienced the youth justice system first hand and will hopefully deter young people from committing offences. Johnny and Kosta plan to offer advice and guidance to those who might be at risk to prevent them from entering the youth justice system.

 They also understand the implications of hanging around the wrong people. Johnny admits that the people he once associated with were leading him down the wrong path. He wants to explain to young people that hanging around with the wrong crowd will ultimately have consequences. The ‘Word on the Streets’ program hopes to show young people that they have options and should value their future. If they don’t, Johnny says that they can easily ‘go down the wrong path’.

Johnny explains that detention is not a place where you want to end up. He says ‘you don’t want to end up inside, it’s not a place you want to ever see, it’s not a place where you want your family to come and see you’. Johnny’s brother was involved in a car accident and it was three months before they gave him permission to go out and visit him. He says that ‘you don’t get to do things you want to do, your freedom is gone’.

He also talks about how young people quickly fall back into the cycle of reoffending. He recalls how he saw eight people leave the centre and come back within the space of three months. However, time in detention did have some positive aspects on his life. He improved his reading and writing, was taught to respect, and learnt some important life skills. Now with detention behind him he feels ‘older and wiser’. ‘You learn from your mistakes’, he says, but the crucial message for kids who are beginning to do the wrong thing is simple – ‘just don’t do it’.

Kosta explains that he wants young people to ‘do the right thing, stay out of trouble and steer clear of that life’. Life in detention meant that Kosta was unable to see his family as often as he would have liked and opened his eyes to the ‘real world’. He completed a TAFE course whilst in detention and is currently furthering his education at a local TAFE. He says the project is a great way to ‘share a part of your life with someone you don’t know’ and he hopes that the project will teach young people that ‘If you get locked up you’re just wasting your life and the time that you have been given’. He sums up the experience by saying that its ‘better to understand than judge, we all make mistakes some are just bigger than others’.

Words By:David Joiner and Stephanie Neville

Photo by: Sean Porter

© Sean Porter 2011

 

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