Coordinated by AODC

“OUTBACK YOUTH INFRONT, THEIR VOICE – AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE”:
RESEARCH REPORT LAUNCHED

Australia’s Youth Infront was the theme of Year of the Outback 2006. This theme focused on Australia’s youth, their contribution and key role in the future of Australia; their thoughts, concerns, dreams and aspirations.

As part of the Year of the Outback 2006 the Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd (AODC) were partners in a nationwide research project to discover and document what rural youth see as the important issues facing them in rural, regional and remote Australia. Further to this it also sought their ideas and recommendations on how these issues can be addressed by government, rural industries, and communities.

The findings were compiled to create a comprehensive report: ‘Outback Youth Infront, Their Voice – Australia’s Future’, officially launched at the 2007 Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference by the Hon Peter McGauran MP, Federal Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, accompanied by Bruce Campbell AM MBE, Chairman, AODC and Founder and Chairman, Year of the Outback and Ms Moira O'Brien, Member - National Council of Young Farmers, Member - NT Cattlemen's Association.

This Report is intended as a Public document - a resource complete with not only a snapshot of the issues as seen through the eyes of Australia’s youth, it also presents potential solutions and recommendations to assist Federal, State and Local Government; communities; organisations (commercial, not for profit, charity etc) and the nation’s youth in forward planning and in the development and design of future projects.

Key findings of the report:
· Most participants imagined they would still be living in regional and rural Australia in the next 10-20 years;
· Participants noted there were many advantages to living in rural and regional Australia with lifestyle and community stated as the best aspects;
· The top three issues identified as important to young people were employment, community and education.

There was an overwhelming determination amongst the many participants to remain in and be a vital part of Rural Australia and its industries.

AODC and the Federal Government extends thanks to the young Australians living / working in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia who participated in the “Outback Youth Infront, Their Voice – Australia’s Future” Australia Wide Survey and Workshops.

An invitation is extended to individuals, groups and organisations wishing to view the Report to go to the official AODC /Year of the Outback website, www.outbackinfront.com or www.yarn.gov.au.

AODC plans to network with youth groups and other interested parties in embracing the Report’s findings within the oncoming 2007–2010 Outback Calling – Year of the Outback Quadrennium and invites other entities to do the same.

For further information contact:

Fiona Campbell-Maybury, Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd on 07 3315 4777 or fiona@outbackinfront.com