Bundaberg Youth will make Bundaberg Sustainable!
Here are my thoughts on creating a sustainable Bundaberg: work with Bundaberg's young people and give them reasons to stay in Bundaberg.
My 26-year-old impression of "young people" these days is that they are intelligent and aware of world issues. They are great at expressing their opinions and not afraid to take action! Young people have energy and enthusiasm, something that every project needs! We have something very important to offer!
Energy needs an outlet however, and without a direction, trouble can result. I've heard people say that there's nothing to do here in Bundaberg... but why can't we make our own fun? Get your hands dirty and help create something! Learn how to do something! For young people, getting involved in the community builds confidence and skills, and enhances employability. There's SO much we can do, and youth-development groups like Lead On and The Oaktree Foundation are already doing it.
As member of SustainaBundy, I personally want to meet and work with young people on more projects and I'd like to facilitate a link between SustainaBundy, youth groups and schools. This is what community is all about!
I'm excited about the idea of Bundaberg schools showing off their environmental efforts to our community on World Environment Day. I know people will be impressed when they find out what our local schools are doing! Just look at Gin Gin State School's Wicking Bed garden and St. Luke's solar vehicle successes. And that's only a glimpse of what's happening in schools.
We need to engage youth in being actively involved in the community, to strengthen it and make our efforts sustainable. There's another issue that needs to be addressed too: Why do many young people leave Bundaberg after they graduate? What will encourage young people to stay in town?
I'd like to hear what others think, and I'd ask that we use this opportunity to discover solutions: so if you identify a "problem", please also suggest a solution! And if you're a young person with ideas, please get in touch with me by replying to this post, or emailing me directly at jacqui@sustainabundy.org
Looking forward to hearing from you!
SustainaBundy
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March 16th, 2008
I am a young person, 21
I am a young person, 21 years, who moved to Bundaberg from Brisbane 2 months ago. I am shocked by the young people here. There needs to be a change in attitude in young people still completing their education. Saying there is nothing to do in Bundaberg shows a lack of creativity, imagination and interest. While Brisbane may have more night life, Bundaberg offers so much in terms of sporting, recreation and social activities. The problem is young people over 18 years just want more night life - live music, nightclubs and so on. So I think targeting and trying to get messages through to the under 18's is the best way to change Bundaberg youth.
March 17th, 2008
Lead On
Hi Darcie,
It's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who's just moved to Bundaberg. Maybe promoting and raising interest in What's On for under 18s would be a good place to dissolve the "nothing to do" statement.
Last Thursday I met with Lead On, a group of young people who are not only interested in interacting with the local community, but who agree that the environment is one of the biggest issues facing youth today and are keen to participate in World Environment Day! Lead On is working to involve representatives from every school in the Bundaberg region and to include youth of all backgrounds and interests. See their national website at www.leadon.com.au
If anyone would like to attend the next Lead On meeting, it's open to any young person who wants to connect with others and DO SOMETHING in Bundaberg!
Bring friends on Thursday 27th March, 4pm at the School of Arts building, Bourbong Street.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
March 16th, 2008
Re: I am a young person, 21
Welcome aboard good ship SustainaBundy Darcie.
Just last night Andi and I went to the turtle rookery at Mon Repos. Saw
two batches of baby loggerhead turtles flap their way to the surface and
down to the water. Pretty cool! I grew up at Bargara and went turtle
watching before there was even a tourist draw to go there. It has
changed a lot and for the better. And it is definitely something that
"young" people can enjoy. And raise their awareness of how fragile our
local environment is.
I agree there is a lot of sports clubs and other activities to get
involved with but they aren't "cool" nor is being friendly to your
neighbours and visitors to this town. How can that be made cool?
The Bundaberg region has a lot to see and do but it is not packaged for
young people but more for tourists coming through town. Have you been to
the Ginger Beer Barrel yet? At least the Rum Distillery gives discounts
for locals.
Dean
March 9th, 2008
Re: Bundaberg Youth will make Bundaberg Sustainable!
We would be happy to support World Environment Day with a solar racing display of some kind.
Nick Johnstone
Solar Racing Co-ordinator
St Luke’s Anglican School
March 18th, 2008
Solar racing on World Environment Day
Hi Nick,
Thank you for your offer, that will generate a lot of interest and fun on the day! I'll get in touch with you at St. Luke's as soon as I can.
Jacqui
*Keep pumping out the positive energy- shine on!*
March 19th, 2008
Re: Solar racing on World Environment Day
Hello Jacqui,
I haven't caught the jist of the conversation between yourself and Nick, but....did you realise Hans Tholstrup the solar pioneer in Australia and originator of the solar challenge and World Solar Challenge lives right here in Bundaberg? Lowmead as a matter of fact, he's in the phone book.If you need a source who can speak from vast practical experience, he's your man. As a plus, he is very much into sustainable living and stretching our fossil fuel resources.
Cheers. David.
March 19th, 2008
Re: Solar racing on World Environment Day
David, thank you for that very vital piece of information. Do you know Hans personally? Or Nick, do you? Would either of you be able to make introductions? As I've been working on coordinating speakers for World Environment Day, I would definitely like to talk to him about it! (sounds like he'd be an excellent candidate to have involved with SustainaBundy in general, too). This is really coming together!
March 27th, 2008
Re: Solar racing on World Environment Day
No I don’t know Hans personally – but would like to meet him and have a chat about solar technology and its applications.
Thanks
Nick J
March 18th, 2008
Re: Solar racing on World Environment Day
No worries Jacqui – it is the St Luke’s Way!
Cheers
Nick J
March 9th, 2008
Re: Bundaberg Youth will make Bundaberg Sustainable!
We had the good fortune to meet a student from Shalom at the SustainaBundy Garage Sale Party on Saturday. She started a group at school because she felt some body needed to start the dialogue. Starting the conversation is the first step, raising further awareness and putting that energy into action is the next phase. More people are becoming aware of the need to act due to all our efforts.
World Environment Day celebrations at the PCYC on the 1st of June is a great opportunity for the Youth of the Bundaberg region to show their awareness of climate change and that they are prepared to act.
Dean Hazelwood
SustainaBundy President