Cost of Living Report

Earlier this month the Advocate released a report on the cost of living, It should be easier to just exist: How children and young people are impacted by and responding the rising cost of living in NSW. Read the full report here.

Vaping Report

Discover the perspectives of young people on the effects of vaping. Our vaping report, Vaping can affect your whole life, not just your lungs: young people’s perspectives on vaping in 2023, is now available online.

If you would like to talk to the ACYP team about the above reports or have the findings presented to your organisation, please contact us.

 2024 Youth Advisory Council

Twelve exceptional young leaders from across the state have been selected to join the 2024 Youth Advisory Council. Following an extensive recruitment process that saw 717 young people aged 12 to 24 apply, the new Youth Advisory Council held its first meeting over two days in October. The Council includes:

• Abbey Brooks, Shellharbour
• Ali Sina Yousofi, Mount Druitt
• Dylan Farr, Barwon
• Ellen Armfield, Wakehurst
• Jesse Alexander-Gordon, Lismore
• Miranda Swift, Newcastle
• Oluhle Gasa, Monaro
• Shakira Toomey, Dubbo
• Sonja Vujanic, Liverpool
• Terina-Grace Rapana-Hotere, Badgery’s Creek
• Zak O'Hara, North Shore
• Zanjabella Zoud, Auburn

 Engagement with Children and Young People

ACYP’s Participation team have been hearing from children and young people in their communities. From October to early December, the team spoke with 372 students across 14 schools at Southwest Connect’s Wellbeing and Success Summit, and VET Summits, and also attended the last meeting at the 2,168 Children’s Parliament, where we offered to deliver ACYP’s Child Rights training to the schools involved in the program.

The team also heard from 35 young people at the Youth Leadership event in the Central Coast and 14 young people at the UNAA One Voice Humanity Next Gen.

 2024 Consultations

To the almost 6,200 children and young people in NSW we heard from this year, thank you and we look forward to working with many more of you in 2024. If you're interested in participating in our upcoming consultations, please register here.

 School Spectacular Spec Fest 2023

The ACYP team spoke with more than 400 students across two days at the School Spectacular Spec Fest 2023, where students participated in fun activities and consulted with ACYP on issues that matter to them and their future aspirations once they leave school. 

 NSW Children’s Week 2023

During Children’s Week, ACYP organised and participated in three exciting events in Penrith and Wagga Wagga, where we had the privilege of engaging with more than 130 enthusiastic Year Three and Four students from St Mary’s North Public School, Werrington Public School, Luddenham Public School, Sturt Public School, Redhill Public School, and Ashmont Public School.

We were also fortunate to have the valuable assistance of four talented work experience students from St Columba's Catholic College, William Carey Christian School, Wiley Park Girls High School and Cherrybrook Technology High School, who assisted the office throughout the entirety of ACYP’s Children’s Week activities.

 Children’s Week board game competition – winners announced!

During Children's Week in October, we hosted a Board Game competition for children and young people. The challenge was to create a board game that could be enjoyed with friends and family, with no limits on imagination. We were impressed by the incredible designs submitted and want to give a big round of applause to everyone who participated. Now, it is with great excitement that we announce the winners of the competition: Nooshin, Maddie, Peta and Cordelia. They have created amazing board games that can be enjoyed by peers, friends and family. Congratulations to all of them! 

 Disaster Recovery and Future Preparedness Roundtable 

In mid-November, young people led a Disaster Recovery and Future Preparedness Roundtable in the Northern Rivers, co-hosted by ACYP with the Hon. Rose Jackson, MLC, Minister for Youth and Minister for the North Coast. The Roundtable focused on their ideas, thoughts, and experiences related to natural disaster recovery and preparedness, as well as community wellbeing. Attendees were privileged to hear from a group of young people who shared their experiences and ideas on recovery from natural disasters and future event preparation. Read more about the event here.

Educating Youth about identity theft

Every year, a quarter of Australians become victims of identity crime. If someone steals or fraudulently accesses your NSW Government identity documents or credentials, it can be challenging to know what steps to take. 

ID Support NSW Department of Customer Service make it easier for you to get the help and support you need if your NSW Government proof of identity credentials are compromised, stolen, or fraudulently used. Reach out to ID Support NSW at 1800 001 040 from Monday to Friday or visit their website for more information. 

Thank you for being a part of our work in 2023 and have a happy, safe and joyous holiday season.

If you would like to know more about anything in this newsletter or have any questions, please get in touch by emailing us at acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au.

Zoë Robinson
Advocate for Children and Young People