Ministers’ messages

The Australian Government is pleased to be a part of the ninth annual National Youth Week, celebrating the contribution and value of all young Australians to their local communities.

National Youth Week is an opportunity for you to get out there in your community and get involved to make the most out of the celebrations and activities that will be taking place all across Australia between Saturday, 5 April and Sunday, 13 April 2008.

Shout. Share. Live. Unite. is this year’s slogan for National Youth Week, chosen by young people.  This is an open invitation to get involved and celebrate the achievements of young people.

National Youth Week is made by youth, for youth, and will see young Australians celebrate the week through the thousands of events including competitions, concerts, debates, parties and exhibitions.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting young people and recognising their contribution.  I encourage you to use this week to show the Australian community what you can do by taking part in the events, competitions and activities.

It doesn't matter what you're interested in or where you live, National Youth Week has something for you, so let’s Shout. Share. Live. Unite. and celebrate being a young Australian.

The great enthusiasm of Tasmania’s young people has helped National Youth Week become a high-profile fixture on our State’s calendar.

Every year, young Tasmanians come up with fresh ideas for events that they not only love being involved in, but also give them a chance to ensure their voice is heard and their contributions recognised by the wider community.

Last year more than 2000 young people participated in over 300 National Youth Week activities state-wide.

National Youth Week 2007 was a great success and I hope that young people and their supporters rise to the challenge again for 2008!

The Tasmanian Government proudly supports National Youth Week, through its Office of Children and Youth Affairs, by providing event funding and support to event organisers.

This year’s National Youth Week theme is Shout. Share. Live. Unite.  I hope more young Tasmanians than ever will embrace this theme in working with the wide range of local government, business, community organisations and schools that present events.

I believe the secret to a successful NYW event is ensuring young people develop it.  I’m sure, with this approach, a program of inspiring and innovative events will be generated during National Youth Week 2008.

Hi, I’m Matthew Bonson and it’s great to be part of National Youth Week 2008 as the Northern Territory’s Minister for Young Territorians.

National Youth Week has become one of the Territory’s best opportunities to showcase the talents of young people and celebrate our diverse youth culture.

Youth Week is a fantastic way for you to get active on issues that concern you and contribute your ideas and knowledge. You can also make new friends, challenge yourself and learn new skills. The Week is all about celebrating your individuality and giving you the space to shine.

Young Territorians are a creative and resourceful group so I’m confident there will be a range of innovative and fun events and activities for everyone.

The Office of Youth Affairs in the Department of the Chief Minister looks forward to working with you to plan Youth Week activities in the Territory.

I encourage all young Territorians to get involved in Youth Week 2008 and make the most of the slogan Shout. Share. Live Unite. during this exciting Week.

National Youth Week (NYW) is Australia’s largest and most successful youth event.

It provides an opportunity for young people from a diverse range of backgrounds to come together to share their thoughts, views, ideas and opinions.

Approximately 15,000 young people attended 154 events during National Youth Week 2007.  The event’s success is due to the hard work of local councils and youth organisations and I thank them for their commitment.  They will be working together to make NYW 2008 an even greater success.  

National Youth Week recognises young people’s achievements and their potential to significantly and positively contribute to the wider community.

I encourage all young people to embrace the theme for National Youth Week 2008; Shout Share Live Unite.

National Youth Week, now in its ninth year, is an opportunity for the community as a whole to acknowledge the achievements and successes of our young people, and provide them wit the opportunity to showcase their talents. Western Australia is once again proud to be part of the celebrations.

With the theme of Shout. Share. Live. Unite, I urge everyone to join in and celebrate the creativity, innovation and vitality of all young Western Australians.

Participation is a key element in the development of young people, and National Youth Week events encourage learning, social and community connections and confidence building, which all help to prepare young people for success.

Throughout the week in Western Australia, young people will be actively coordinating a range of events aimed at promoting a positive a positive image f youth. Events in previous years have demonstrated that young people are very much a part of community like and their contribution, not just during Youth Week, should be recognised.

As part of the celebration, the WA Youth Awards Showcase will be held on Thursday, 10 April 2008, and will recognise and reward outstanding young Western Australians, across six categories, who contribute to other individuals, families and communities in a variety of ways. Included in the showcase are the WA Youth Media Awards, which acknowledge journalists and media organisations for supporting youth in the community.

I encourage all Western Australians to participate in National Youth Week 2008 and acknowledge the important role young people play in our communities.

National Youth Week is the largest celebration for young people from 12—25 years, across Australia. Each year, young people in Canberra join with their peers to celebrate the unique culture of youth.

As well as providing young people with opportunities to be involved in activities, workshops, special events and celebrations — the week presents an avenue to showcase the talents and skills of young people.

National Youth Week is more than a celebration. It’s a chance for young people to give voice to their concerns, and to raise awareness about issues that impact on them — and to explore how they can shape their future.

Shout. Share. Live. Unite — the theme for 2008 — is a perfect expression to bring together the strengths and diversity of young people.

I encourage all young people in the ACT to participate in — and contribute to — National Youth Week 2008.

This is a time to recognise and celebrate the significant role that young people have in creating a future for our community.

Victoria’s young people have a huge range of skills and interests and National Youth Week is really their time to shine. From forums to festivals and art to hip hop, I had a great time getting out and about and seeing a number of National Youth Week events in 2007.

This year, the Victorian Government, in partnership with beyondblue, the national depression initiative, is again proud to support young people to share and celebrate their contributions to the community through the 2008 National Youth Week Grants program.

The program will continue to offer young people funding to put on more great events that are run by young people, for young people.

I look forward to attending 2008 National Youth Week events and seeing young Victorians Shout. Share. Live. Unite.

The Queensland Government is proud to celebrate and recognise young people’s many achievements during Youth Week.

In Queensland, Youth Week 2008 promises more opportunities than ever before for young people to get involved in a variety of events and activities. Community groups and young people’s organisations, including schools and clubs, will be celebrating at concerts, forums, workshops, exhibitions, sporting and other activities right across the state.

I encourage all young people to join in the spirit of Youth Week 2008 and Shout. Share. Live. Unite. online or in your local community. We are inviting young Queenslanders to get involved in a local event, or to express their ideas about their community or other important issues in our online competition. More information about Youth Week 2008 events, activities and competitions will be available on www.generate.qld.gov.au from early 2008.

Youth Week is an important opportunity for government and the broader community to listen to young people’s concerns and views and celebrate their achievements.  During Youth Week 2008 we recognise some of Queensland’s most outstanding young volunteers and their contribution to our community in a variety of fields at the Young Volunteer Awards.

The Queensland Government recognises young people are a vital part of the fabric of our community and I take this opportunity to wish all young Australians the very best during Youth Week 2008.

Each year Youth Week presents exciting opportunities to celebrate what’s great about being young in NSW and to acknowledge the creativity, skills, achievements and strengths of young people.

It’s a time when young people can tell all Australians about their vision for the future and the issues that most matter in their lives.

And Youth Week in 2008 promises to be bigger and better than ever – in fact it’s the 20th anniversary of the first Youth Week ever to be held in NSW.

All around NSW, young people can plan and create their own events or join in activities in their local area. Visit the website at www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au to find out about events in your area, or contact your council to get involved.

This year again every one of NSW’s 152 local councils is participating in Youth Week, and the Government has provided support through seed funding for their Youth Week activities.

I’m proud of the NSW Government’s commitment to youth participation in the government programs and services that impact on their lives.

The Government’s fantastic Youth Week website and poster were designed by young people, and the design competitions for the website, poster and tattoo were judged by our Youth Week Young People’s Advisory Committee.

I hope young people right across NSW will take the opportunity Youth Week gives them to showcase their creativity, energy and ideas!