discussing supporting local Youth
held monday 25 march 2024
clarence town bowling club
The Dungog District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC) committee, have been concerned for some time about the often spoken about “youth disengagement” in the Dungog Shire, and particularly in the Clarence Town area. While we are the Chamber and represent business, we strongly feel and have feedback on to support that this is affecting both the business and the community of this Shire. This disengagement has reportedly manifested itself by incidents of repeated vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
On Monday 25 March the Clarence Town Bowling Club was the place to be for The Dungog District Chamber of Commerce ‘Youth Forum’. The committee was very heartened by the response received by the Clarence Town community and the wider shire community – all coming together to hear and contribute to discussion on supporting our most important residents, our youth. The main room was full with over 85 persons in attendance including; local organisations, groups, schools, mums and dads, young people and grandparents and the Police.
Thank you to the Clarence Town Bowling Club for use of their facilities, especially when they opened specifically for this event. And thankyou to Maria’s Kitchen for catering.
President Therese McIntrye chaired the evening and welcomed all along, acknowledging the special guests that included Mayor John Connors, councilors Digby Rayward and Jess Clark. Rob Auer, Allison Stewart, Port Stevens Hunter Police District lead by Superintendent Wayne Humphrey. Apologies from Dave Layzell and Dr David Gillespie, however they were both able to have representation using zoom and by sending a senior staff member.
We were very fortune to have speakers who gave their time generously, with expertise in a range of aspects of youth welfare. All experts in their fields and gave us all so much to think about in the area of Youth engagement as well as some of the issues our youth and supporters experience in today’s very fast paced and modern world.
Steve Harper, Principal of Dungog High School, was the opening speaker and was very positive regarding the students at DHS. He said that Mental health is a real concern but he does not believe we have a crisis with youth. He implored us look at the wider community and base our efforts on facts and answers. To define the issue and maybe look in the mirror. Certainly something to think on.
Superintendent Wayne, along with two colleagues, gave us much of his time and experience and spoke of youth crime statistics from across the Command. Which showed crime to be very low in the Shire. However he said now is the best time to act and congratulated the community in recognizing that we need to engage with our youth NOW. He went on to say the key is to divert young people before “they go bad”. Diversion techniques could be sport and authentic recognition of what are youth are doing. A PCYC type of approach, and all that he said was supported throughout the room with everyone hanging off his every word.
Dave Layzell our local state member for Upper Hunter in his absence sent along a statement advising of the previous week’s Parliamentary meeting to discuss the spike in NSW youth crime and the impacts. Dave applauded the community for ‘thinking ahead’ and having plans and processes in place to ensure that our region does not have issues that others do. Dave strongly suggested that we as a community make a submission to the enquiry outlining what we propose. Dave sees this as a key and offered his assistance and support
Dan Lyons from Wangat Lodge near Chichester Dam has for many years run youth and family nature based programs as well as much experience in working with youth and running youth programs. Dan’s message is youth need to feel safe, valued and engaged. In his experience as a youth worker, he focused on outdoor activities. Dan sees the 12-25 years as a very dynamic age and believes that our youth have the solutions but not the power to implement. This is where we come in. Dan suggested that we have a project and to consider a designated space, a meeting hub, an activity area with creative and fun activities for young people across the Shire to access such activities public transport would need to be made available. This is what youth across the country are asking for.
Jim Doyle, from Gresford Community Group and Soccer Club was another invited speaker. Jim has had experience also over many years in youth welfare. He spoke of the thriving Gresford Soccer Club which has many teenagers on it’s committee. They are respected and are included in discussion and decision making, and they respond well to adult role models. Gresford community is also at present working towards sending a group of their young people to do the Kokoda Trail.
Martin Thorsby – retired businessman and involved with the Dungog Rumble came along to the forum to announce the NFP group has $15,000 for youth initiatives in the shire and so want to hear from people with ideas. This gesture by Dungog Rumble was very well received and very generous.
Kate Murphy representing Dungog Shire Community Centre, gave an over view of the Centre’s core business. She introduced the two youth workers employed by the centre and expanded on their involvement with young people in the shire. Kate spoke of Centre’s involvement with Dungog Early Literacy Inc who are bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to the shire to address early childhood literacy. The Community Centre’s Outreach to schools and school holiday programs and plans for a drop in centre for young people
We were pleased to have in attendance Alison Stewart – Crime Prevention & Community Liaison Officer, who brings with her a wealth of experience. A very engaging speaker and her down to earth presentation resonated with everyone in the room. Although there are challenges Alison believes from her experience that simple solutions can often happen and are often the most successful. Ownership of the idea or project is critical and will lead to success. Alison referred to an example of a skate park being constructed with youth input into both design and construction. They know what they need/want. We just have to ask them. She recommended not 'biting off more than we can chew' Start with small and simple and if it grows – So much positive support from Alison who noted the PCYC programs and other activities where a cross section of the community is involved.
Alison Penfold, representing Dr Gillespie's office was in attendance. She said there were Federal grants for community infrastructure and she would like to have the recommendations from the forum to be able to provide Dr Gillespie with what we would like to see in our communities across the shire.
Max Grieves long term Youth Worker with the Dungog Shire Community Centre, echoed some of Dan's thoughts and words. Youth need to feel as if they belong. They want to be able to access safe places and know that people 'give a damn'. Max delivered a powerful and positive presentation.
Reverand Allen Welsh, Presbyterian Minister, Clarence Town was invited to do a wrap up of night and gave us a more spiritual perspective as well as telling the room of his experience as Police Chaplain and just how devastating it is when we don’t get it right for our Youth.
Some people asked questions, but it appeared that a lot of reflecting and thinking about all that had been said was happening in the room. Sport was mentioned as a positive solution but so too were concerts, art, music and cultural activities to draw youth to engagement. Work experience was Tracey Lowrey Community Liaison Officer, commented on the Council’s infrastructure and activities telling the room that they rely on forums such as this to inform Council how to spend the limited financial resources they have, to create best outcomes for youth in the shire.
We now have a great resource of information and suggestions to work with from forum. The Chamber now in conjunction with other local organisations will now get the ball rolling in bringing some of these initiatives into reality.
The Dungog Chamber of Commerce welcomes any comments on this and if you were unable to attend on the night and have any suggestions, we need these as we want to help bring about solutions that are supported by the whole community.
A time for change and a time for our Youth – our Future
Kind Regards,
Marion Stuart
Secretary – Dungog District Chamber of Commerce
