City of Casey
Minutes of Casey Youth Services Network Meeting
Wednesday 2 October, commencing at 9.30am
Attendees:
Members
Name
Snez Milesic
Agency &
Address
Youth
Connections Link
Enrolment &
Training
SEYC Taskforce
Phone &
Mobile
0412 991 706
E-mail
0431 709 454
jessicae@taskforce.org.au
Taskforce
0403 563 174
carlyp@taskforce.org.au
Michael
Gannon
Celia Rice
Taskforce
0407 601 678
michaelg@taskforce.org.au
Casey Cardinia
Library
9704 7696
celia.rice@cclc.vic.gov.au
Fiona Verhagen
Student
0425 733 165
fverhage@bigpond.net.au
Julie Nicolaou
The Reach
Foundation
The Reach
Foundation
AMES
9412 0906
julie.nicolaou@reach.org.au
9412 0906
steph.dennis@reach.org.au
0407 813 457
hennessy@ames.net.au
Brosnan Services
0417 858 896
Emily.howell@jss.org.au
SELLEN
0438 510 840
caroline.augustin@connecting.org.au
5991
0612/0613
christine.atherton@police.vic.gov.au
Jessica
Edwards
Carly Pickering
Steph Dennis
Margot
Hennessy
Emily Howell
Jennifer EbdonHope
Christine
Atherton
Lauren Gill
Victorian Police –
YRO Cranbourne
Windermere –
Communities 4
Children
Tracey Atkins
Victoria Police /
Operation
Newstart
Carl Mast
ERMHA
Casey/Cardinia
Kelly Meadmore ERMHA
Casey/Cardinia
Racheal
Mission Australia
Edwards
SEYC
snjesara.milesic@linkemploy.org.au
lauren.gill@windermere.org.au
0400 179 248
tracey.atkins@police.vic.gov.au
0431 597 558
c.mast@ermha.org
9796 1000
k.meadmore@ermha.org
1800 335 106
edwardsra@missionaustralia.com.au
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City of Casey
Minutes: Jennefer Duhs, Family Services City of Casey.
1.
Welcome
Dani Williams, City of Casey Team Leader Youth Partnerships welcomed everyone to
the meeting.
2.
Guest Speaker’s
Julie Nicolaou & Steph Dennis – The Reach Foundation
Both speakers presented a power point presentation titled ‘Reach Explained’.
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The presentation was a snap shot of some of the diverse programs offered
through Reach.
Capturing and engaging young people through training programs comprising of
Leadership Tier 1, Crew Tier 2 and Facilitator at Tier 3 levels.
Reach offers recreational activities for young people also clinical services and
crisis care.
Their programs and support services are based on honest conversations with
young people refer to http://www.reach.org.au/ for more information.
Crew - Programs/Workshops – Steph Dennis
 Fused Casey, a 5 week program term to term for 13 to 17 year olds. The
program has grown from 16 attendees to between 30 to 35.
 Rookie program focussing on grades 5 & 6 and their transition into high school.
 Reach camps and school workshops meeting young people where their at.
Topics covered such as bullying, confidence & positive peer relations etc.
 Heroes Days high-energy workshops for up to 500 Year 9 students.
 Locations throughout Casey, Box hill, Mt Waverley, Collingwood & Frankston.
 Diversity is the key; ‘Any walk of life’ is our key tag.
 For more information on all programs/workshops/weekends away refer to
http://www.reach.org.au/workshops
Facilitator Tools
 A ‘Heroes Journey’ by Joseph Campbell used in workshops & programs.
include:
 Call to adventure, taking on new challenges.
 Ordinary world, how young people view their world.
 The return, applying learning into actual life.
 Test, enemies & allies, embracing & overcoming the fear.
 Slaying the dragon, conquering obstacles.
 Special world, where they want to be.
 Reward, learning they take away.
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City of Casey
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The return is often the hardest part on the journey.
We are often on more than one Heroes Journey at a time.
Group Exercise - Snow Ball
We were asked by Steph to write something on a piece of paper that we can take away
from the presentation. Once it’s written, screw it up into a snow ball and throw it at
someone in the room.
Quotes written:
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SMILE!! LAUGH!! And all will seem Normal
Taking the kids on a journey – self learning Love It 
Create Hero Days for your own kids & help them see their own qualities
Never feel like you’re alone 
Celebrate life & peoples capacity to live it!
Have fun
Never lose sight of your dreams
Be brave! Step outside your comfort zone & take a risk, the rewards are well
worth it!
Never judge anyone, you never know the battles their fighting
Don’t spend too much time of today worrying about yesterday
Love you enemies because there is no reward in just loving your friends
Great ice breakers to run with young people
Enjoy life more
Courage is not the absence of fear but how we act in the face of it!
Take a chance on a new activity
Live every day to its fullest because you never know what’s around the corner
Challenges in childhood can make us stronger and more empathetic in adulthood
YOLO
Stay positive
Give a new situation at least 6 months before you decide if it is good or bad
Live life like it’s your last day.
Community Wellbeing Professional – Julie Nicolaou
 Background in counselling.
 Liaise with parents, teachers & their well-being people at school.
 Interest in our programs is often by word of mouth.
 It’s their space and they choose who they want to be.
 Call to refer, or use online booking form. Programs are not booked out.
Dani – Reach are evolving now they are different & we are receiving great feedback from
the community.
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City of Casey
Question:
How do you deal with someone in your group that has a severe drug problem?
 We have agreements they follow, it’s their space, they own it, we hear from
everyone, no hierarchy, no labels, no issues thus far.
Dani - Feedback for Casey Website
 New website for City of Casey Youth Services is now live.
 Website is still being built so we are seeking feedback & information on what you
want to see on site, please refer feedback to dwilliams@casey.vic.gov.au
 Minutes will now be uploaded directly to the site & no longer emailed.
 Service Provider forms will be available electronically. These can be completed &
sent through prior to attending the meetings.
 Approved Facebook for youth page now available.
 Can look into show casing services & events, hot topics, video once per month.
 Subscribe to RSS feed email prompt alerting you to updates on site.
Feedback
 Would like to see flyers and posters available on new site.
 Would like to see contact lists with links available for networking.
 Fantastic concept with minutes available on website will assist with location &
venue of future meetings.
20 minute break, then quick whip around
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City of Casey
3
Service Provider Update
Taskforce - SEYC
Girls with Attitude – encouraging young women to cope with life’s challenges, stand up for what
they believe in & to achieve their goals. Wednesdays 4.30pm to 6.30pm 16th October to 13
November.
Hoops – gym sessions at Cardinia Life every week, Thursdays 12.00 to 1.00 free, 13 to 19 years.
Dig Up Grow Up – landscaping & outdoor furniture making Kooweerup – Term 4 – free.
Be ur Self social group for 14 – 21 years olds who identify as GLBT1.
All About Sport – weekly sporting program @ pop up park in Dandenong. Wednesdays 1.30pm
to 2.30pm.
Contact Information: Jessica Edwards – Re-engagement – jessica@taskforce.org.au
Taskforce – SEYC
5 – 7 Main Street
Pakenham Vic 3810
Mobile: 0431 709 454.
Monash Health – Greater Dandenong Community Health
Antenatal group – runs Wednesdays during terms. Next one starting October 9th from 1.30pm to
3.00pm. Ring Betty for information on 0437 660 612.
Contact Information: Betty Rankin – Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Outreach Worker –
bettyrankin@monashhealth.org
Monash Health – Greater Dandenong
229 Thomas Street (until Dec 2013)
Mobile: 0437 660 612
Victoria Police & Operation Newstart – Casey
Intake 25 starting Tuesday 15th October, 7 weeks.
Graduation Thursday 5th December 7.00pm at Casey Civic Centre upstairs.
Contact Information: Tracey Atkins – Youth Resource Officer - tracey.atkins@police.vic.gov.au
Victoria Police & Operation Newstart – Casey
53 Webb Street
Narre Warren Vic 3805
Mobile: 0400 179 248
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City of Casey
Chisholm – Berwick
Contact Information: Fiona Verhagen – Student – fverhage@bigpond.net.au
Mobile: 0425 733 165
Connections
The Reconnect program support young people aged 12 – 18 years in the City of Casey and
Greater Dandenong. The program is to prevent homelessness in young people by supporting
them and their families to work on their barriers.
The Reconnect program currently has vacancies.
Contact Information: Caroline Augustin – Case Worker – caroline.augustin@connections.org.au
Connections
51 Princes Highway
Dandenong Vic 3175
Phone: 8792 8999
www.connections.org.au
Casey – Cardinia Library Corporation
Regular tinnies time (Nursery rhymes songs for babies & toddlers).
Story times (pre-school age) after school clubs, book groups & holiday activities.
Teen lock in for Friday 15th November, from 5.30pm to 9.00pm, Hunger Games movie rated M, no
cost pizza and popcorn provided. Looking into a community bus for transport contact Dani 8768
8040 or Celia on 9704 7969.
Contact information: Celia Rice – Youth Services Librarian – celia.rice@cclc.vic.gov.au
Casey Cardinia Library Corporation
Overland Drive
Narre Warren Vic 3805
Phone: 9704 7969
www.cclc.vic.gov.au
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City of Casey
SELLEN
Youth Justice Forum – FREE
Friday 18th October 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Punt Hill Apartments Dandenong
Call SELLEN on 9794 6921 to register.
Forum is aimed at families & carers of young people involved in the youth justice system. Young
people welcome to attend but the focus is not aimed at this target group, or at agencies. Covers
how the justice system works, factors that influence re-offending and the support agencies that
can provide assistance, lunch provided. Program comprises speakers & break-out sessions.
Young refugee who has completed a Cert II in Engineering pre-app facilitated by SELEN has
gained an Engineering Apprenticeship through AIGT’s, doing well & earning a wage, working at
night as well to save for a trip back to Afghanistan to visit family.
Contact Information: Jennifer Ebdon-Hope – Partnership Broker – jebdon-hope@sellen.org.au
SELLEN
PO Box 7050
Dandenong Vic 3175
Phone: 9794 6921
Mobile: 0438 510 840
www.sellen.org.au
Jesuit Social Services – Brosnan Services
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Motocross every Wednesday’s, referrals to be made through Youth Justice – free, no
licence required and lunch provided.
LZP – seeking young people involved in youth justice or child protection who have their
learner licence and want to drive! Referrals to Jennifer Hally – 979 6596 or 0408 566 122.
Learning care mentoring, seeking young people approaching the time to leave care and
want extra support, Referrals to Jennifer Hally.
MENTORS NEEDED FOR BOTH PROGRAMS!
Contact Information: Emily Howell – Intensive Support Worker – emily.howell@jss.org.au
Jesuit Social Services – Brosnan Services
PO Box 393
Dandenong Vic 3175
Phone: 9791 6596
Mobile: 0417 858 896
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City of Casey
South East Youth Connections
Youth Connections is providing case management for young people 13 to 19 years old, at risk of
dropping out of education, training or employment or have recently dropped out. Assisting them
in addressing barriers to remain in education, employment or training.
Contact Information: Snez Milesic – Case Worker – snjezana.milesic@linkemploy.org.au
South East Youth Connections
290 Thomas Street
Dandenong Vic 3175
Mobile: 0412 991 706
4.
Next Meeting
6th November, 2013
9.30am to 11.30am
Meeting Room 7
Civic Centre
Magid Drive
Narre Warren Vic 3805
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