By Tyler Wright
Community members are invited to attend a dining and entertainment event to hear the voices of young people in the Hills speak about the issues that matter to them.
Tribe Monbulk Youth has organised the community dinner and entertainment night for Friday 14 October at the Monbulk Football Club; with young people aged between 14 and 19 speaking at the event.
‘Young Voices’ is supported by Youth Advocates of Community Change (YACC), Kellerman Coaching and Yarra Ranges Council.
“The great thing about this night is it’s organised by young people, it’s produced by young people, and then it’s delivered by young people,” Tribe Monbulk Youth founder and CEO Belinda Grooby said.
“It’s not just for young people, it’s for the entire community; and it’s about really the entire community having an opportunity to come together to understand issues that affect us, but also to support effective change,” Ms Grooby said.
There are three main topics expected to be discussed on the night; youth mental health, climate change and respectful relationships – especially between young people and teachers.
“Many young people felt like they were just ignored, that they were kind of brushed to the side during Covid,” Ms Grooby said.
Schools being shut, sporting clubs and skate parks closing, not being able to get in the car and go shopping for an hour day contributed to young people’s isolation during Covid, Ms Grooby said.
“As a result of that, we’ve seen much higher levels of depression, anxiety, we’ve seen higher levels of young people that haven’t been able to reconnect at school.”
“We’ve seen a whole lot of social problems around making social connections and making friends…
Covid has had a really devastating effect on our youth, particularly youth already geographically isolated being up in up in the hills.”
State, federal and local government representatives and community members have been invited to listen to the needs of youth in the Dandenong Ranges, with funding being sought from “every level of government”.
“The problem is that when we don’t look at services that stretch beyond the reach of where our public transport stops; for example Belgrave Station, Lilydale Station and beyond that, that’s where we have a number of issues that we really need to have effective change and support,” Ms Grooby said.
Ms Grooby hopes those who attend the event can learn that young people “aren’t something to be feared”.
“Young people are passionate, they’re talented, they’re intelligent. They’re incredible human beings that want to participate in society,” she said.
“I really can’t wait to showcase the amazing talent of young people that we have in the hills because they are just amazing… and we need to stop undervaluing what it is that they can offer.”
Bookings for ‘Young Voices’ are essential – and to get your free ticket, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/young-voices-tickets-394099681757.
Monbulk Football Club is located at 1 Main Road, Monbulk.
