Gannawarra connected
Published on 09 August 2017
Gannawarra connected
MEDIA RELEASE
Local young people now have an online space named MyWarra to help stay connected and to access information relating to upcoming events, job opportunities, health information and more.
Past Gannawarra Shire Youth Council member Hamish Laity said the project concept started with the idea of creating a youth centre in the Gannawarra Shire.
“Youth Council members investigated the creation of the physical youth space in 2015 but decided that it may not be well attended due to a number of factors, including budget restrictions and limited transport options between towns,” Mr Laity explained.
“The group then decided to look into the possibility of creating a virtual space where young people could access information and connect with other local young people, no matter where they lived.”
Following the review of this concept, Youth Council, Gannawarra Shire Council and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria worked together to develop the idea.
A $50,000 VicHealth Bright Futures grant, aimed at better connecting local government, communities and young people together, allowed the project to come to fruition.
Local young people were fully involved in the process to develop MyWarra including eleven from across the district who successfully applied for internships to work with graphic design and website development companies over January 2017.
The interns developed the website, spending time planning how the site would look, what features it would have and how it would engage with other young people.
Youth portfolio Councillor Sonia Wright said the MyWarra virtual space has been identified as an important tool for the wellbeing of young people living in our shire.
“It is important we seek guidance from, and encourage young people to have a say on important community matters and decisions which will impact on your lives.
While Youth Council has not been continued in 2017, a formal agreement has been put into place between Gannawarra Shire Council and Northern District Community Health to continue the partnership approach to achieving the best possible outcomes for our youth and their families.
“MyWarra was made possible because of an innovative and creative group who were willing to put up their hand to develop something relevant to the youth demographic of our region,” Councillor Wright said. “It is a website developed by young people for young people and what has been achieved is remarkable.”
You can check out all the websites features at mywarra.com.
For more information please contact Council on 5450 9333 or visit council’s website www.gsc.vic.gov.au
…ENDS…
Date: 9 August 2017
Media contact: Katrina Thorne T. 03 5450 9333 M. 0409 616 627