Fire safety grants for youths

By Russell Bennett
HILLS youngsters will soon take the bushfire safety message into their own hands, thanks to a new State Government grant.
Emerald youths and a local peer support network have been given a huge boost with a government commitment worth more than $230,000.
More than $80,000 will go towards employing a project officer for Emerald’s ECHO Youth Services to work with local school communities in Cockatoo, Gembrook, Avonsleigh, Emerald and Clematis on developing better bushfire awareness and preparedness.
The project will seek to identify bushfire safety peer leaders from across the different student groups.
They will help other local youngsters to take a pro-active approach to bushfire safety, and be trained to deliver safety programs throughout the hills.
The project will use social media as part of a youth-led response to bushfire emergencies, and will even develop an educational DVD showcasing participants’ attitudes, behaviours and leadership skills.
The rest of the State Government money will be delivered to ECHO over three years as part of the government’s $12.3 million ‘Engage!’ grant program. Youth Affairs Minister Ryan Smith said ECHO delivered an outstanding community-based mentoring and peer leadership program for young people in Emerald.
“I am delighted to be able to announce that the Victorian Coalition Government will continue to provide funding to support this valuable mentoring program,” Mr Smith said.
“I also thank the member for Gembrook Brad Battin for highlighting the work of ECHO and this important program,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Battin said ECHO was “an excellent example” of the organisations in his community supporting young Victorians.
“I congratulate Wayne Collins and the team at ECHO for their commitment and passion to supporting young people in our community,” he said.
“Without the hard work and often voluntary hours of organisations such as ECHO, many young people would go without much needed support and resources.”
ECHO director Wayne Collins said the funding would enable his organisation to continue to deliver structured mentoring programs.
“This funding will provide young people the opportunity to contribute their time, energy and resources to their community and motivate them to be a positive force with their families, peers and communities,” he said. For more information on the Engage! program, go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/engage.