The Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) is open to applicants again and CREATE Young Consultants Zac, Taz and Ashley are calling on young people with a care experience to step up!
Zac and Ashley completed the program last year, whilst Taz completed the program in 2016.
“It’s an awesome experience – if you want to see how the government that runs the care system actually works, you should apply,” says Taz. Since completing the program, Taz has gone from strength to strength; including an ambassador role with Headspace, and conducting the Young Person’s Welcome at the CREATE ‘Voices in Action’ conference in Sydney last year.
“It was such an adventure, such an experience, it gave me a whole new perspective on life,” says Ash. So far, since completing the program, Ash has taken a more active role as a Young Consultant with CREATE; sharing his experience and perspectives in a range of audio and video resources.
“At first I found it challenging because I was still struggling with my own cultural identity,” says Zac, “But, the program actually helped me to explore my identity and left me feeling more confident – it was definitely a worthwhile experience and I recommend it to other young people with a care experience”. Zac is a long time Young Consultant with CREATE and going through QIYLP has inspired him to advocate on the issue of increased cultural connection for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in care.
Interested? Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18–25 interested in developing their leadership skills are encouraged to apply to attend the 2018 Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
The six-day residential program, to be held in Brisbane from 30 June to 5 July 2018, provides participants with opportunities to take part in leadership and professional development workshops run by community leaders, facilitators and mentors, and experience being a member of parliament for a day through the Eric Deeral Indigenous Youth Parliament.
All travel, including flights and transfers, meals and accommodation, are provided for participants.
Applications close Friday 4 May 2018.
Help us offer this opportunity by promoting the program through your networks and encouraging eligible young people from urban, regional, and remote communities to apply.
For further information, or to apply online, visit www.qld.gov.au/atsi, email iylp@communities.qld.gov.au or call 3037 2998.
Both Taz and Zac appeared in a short video CREATE produced last year sharing the stories of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people, carers, and professionals who are part of our community. You can watch the video here:
