Community resilience program for our region’s youth
In a Queensland-first, Council offered young people aged 14 to 18 an opportunity to get involved in community resilience program while studying a study a Certificate II in Active Volunteering for Free.
During 2022 Bundaberg Regional Council in partnership with Volunteers Queensland and Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) delivered a free community resilience program to young people aged 14- 18 years who lived in the Bundaberg Regional Council area and where enrolled in one of our region’s high schools.
The Community Resilience Youth Programs aim was to build a base of young volunteers who where more connected to our community while gaining real-world skills, experience and confidence that they require in today’s workplaces.
This was the first time a project like this had been delivered in Queensland.
Participating young people enrolled in a five-month program that included:
- Completing a CHC24015 Certificate II in Active Volunteering (RTO:6020) Find out more in the Vol QLD handout here.
- Certificate II in Active Volunteering
- Covers 7 units of competency
- Students completed 20hrs of volunteer work
- Provided students with 4 QCE points
- Certificate II in Active Volunteering
- Exposure to emergency response organisations, and
- Optional participation in a youth leadership program
- Rotary International – RYPEN leadership program
Information
Please contact Andrew Beckenhauer on1300 883 699 or andrew.beckenhauer@bundaberg.qld.gov.au for more information on this program.
This program is funded by the Australian Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement.
This program has now been completed. Congratulations to all participants.
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Jacob’s volunteer role showcased in Council project
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As part of National Volunteer Week students participating in Bundaberg Regional Council's Community Resilience Youth Program have been working with residents on a poster project that showcases the importance of volunteering.
The overall program is in partnership with Volunteers Queensland and Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) and aims to build a base of young volunteers who are connected to the local community while gaining real-world skills, experience and confidence that are required in today’s workplaces.
For the past two months students have profiled local volunteers on posters which are now on display within the community, at the Bundaberg School of Arts Gallery and Childers Library.
Jacob Hawes from Apple Tree Creek markets was the subject of student Bella Blain's project and said volunteering had allowed him to fulfil his desire to help others.
“I have been volunteering at the markets for about three years,” he said.
“I help the stallholders find their sites and help cater food for the day.”
“I like giving back to the community in any way I can, and it's been a very good in building people skills.
“I started off volunteering there myself and now my entire family volunteers!”
Isis State High School student Bella said she enjoyed working with Jacob on the project and learning more about his passions.
“It was interesting to interview Jacob about his volunteering experience because I really got to see how much it meant to him and how rewarding it was to see his efforts go toward something valuable in his community,” she said.
“It was also good to be able to look at all the different posters that everyone made and see all the roles, the rewards, and challenges that volunteers endure.”
Bella said the project had made her realise the importance in celebrating the volunteers within our community is extremely important.
“Volunteers put so much work into events and fundraisers for those people in need, without getting any profit from it,” she said.
“They do it simply from the kindness and giving in their heart.
“Without all our volunteers, the community won't have as many fun events as it currently does.”
Council volunteer project display times:
The National Volunteer Week poster project will go towards the participants CHC24015 Certificate II in Active Volunteering.
The Bundaberg display will be open to the public to view from Wednesday 18 May until Friday 20 May at the School of Arts gallery from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
The Childers display will be open from Tuesday 17 May until Monday 23 May at the Childers Library during the library's normal opening hours.
National Volunteer Week is celebrated around Australia from 16 to 22 May.
This year the theme is ‘Better Together' and is centred around how volunteering brings people together, builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.
The Community Resilience program has been fully funded by the National Bushfire Recovery Agency under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
You can read the full Bundaberg Now story here.
Who's Listening
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Bundaberg Regional Council
Phone 1300 883 699 Email andrew.beckenhauer@bundaberg.qld.gov.au