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Friday 8 June 2007, Media Release

LAND COUNCIL ISSUES CALL TO LOCAL YOUTH

The peak Aboriginal organisation in New South Wales has issued a call to Aboriginal youth in the Northern region to increase their involvement with local Aboriginal land councils.

The call has come from the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council’s deputy Chairperson, Tom Briggs, ahead of the final “Bringing Back the Youth,” gala day to be held in Tamworth on Saturday, June 30.

“The NSWALC has identified a gap in the participation of young Aboriginal people in the activities of local councils and we need to develop strategies now to engage the next generation of Aboriginal leaders at the local level,” Cr Briggs explained.

“The Bringing Back the Youth gala days are one of a number of steps by our organisation to seek to generate or rekindle the interest of young people in this area. The Gala day will include a wide range of activities and information including cultural, careers and musical entertainment, there will be something for everyone”.

The Bringing Back the Youth Project team held the first Gala Day in Lismore on 9 December 2006. The day was a great success for the Far North Coast Land Council network with a large number of youth and community people turning out for what was a memorable day.

Cr Briggs said the final Gala Day would kick off at Granny Munro Oval, Coledale, Tamworth on Saturday, June 30 with events running between 10 AM and 3 PM.

A number of Aboriginal sporting and entertainment role models such as Rugby League legend Ricky Walford would be on hand as well as local elders, land council officials and other dignitaries.

Further details about the attendance of Aboriginal role models would be announced in coming weeks.

“All will be talking about the need for more active involvement by young people in the activities of their Local Aboriginal Land Councils, land rights issues and other Aboriginal affairs structures and processes,” he added.

“They will also be emphasising the valuable contribution which can be made by young people in terms of community involvement.”

Cr Briggs said his office was now consulting with a range of Local Aboriginal Land Councils and community organisations in the region to ensure maximum participation in the one day event, which is being organised with the assistance of a grant from the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Other community organisation’s and associates would be most welcome to be involved and can contact the Project Co-ordinator, Daniel Teece-Johnson on 0417210263 for details.

Media Contact: Paul Molloy 6124 3562 or 0419 690 926