A meeting, organised by Merimbula Rotary and attended by Bega and Pambula Rotary Clubs, the mayor, Social Justice Advocates and representatives of family and youth support organisations, heard details about a youth refuge project which could be trialled in the Bega Valley.
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David Marshall chair of Rotary District 9705 (includes Bega Valley) governance board for the District Vulnerable Youth Project said the project, Rubys, had been operating successfully in South Austalia for 28 years. Work has started on a new home in the ACT which Mr Marshall said would be full on the day of opening.
In discussion with Merimbula Rotary president Andy Thorp, Mr Marshall had expressed interest in seeing a similar facility for 12-17 year-olds in regional NSW.
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"I am of the view that such a facility is something that would be of great benefit to vulnerable youth in the Bega Valley Shire," Mr Thorp said and has suggested Merimbula, Bega and Pambula Rotary Clubs look at taking on the long term project.
The homes provide a refuge for vulnerable youth for several days a week while service providers work with the youth and their parents to get them back home. The average length of stay is six months and parents must be part of the program.
"Having social worker and psychologist programs around this is pivotal. Kids are referred by parents, police or schools; it's a circuit breaker," Mr Marshall said.
Service providers such as Vinnies or the Salvation Army might run the facility but it is owned by the government. The presentation prompted questions about the program and the needs locally, where the nearest youth refuge is Moruya.
There were concerns about putting vulnerable youth back in their own homes, even for a few days a week with Sue MacKinnon from the Bega Teen Clinic pointing out that for most kids, family was the issue.
Sarah Bancroft of PCYC said services at the coal face were in crisis because they had no options.
While there were concerns about the scope of the project, it was pointed out that one project could not save everyone.
Social Justice Advocate Mick Brosnan said that while people could talk about the nuances of such a service, "I want to make it clear that we need a youth refuge".
"I urge you to think about this, we need a refuge but let's work out the style for our shire," Mr Brosnan said.
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Denise Dion
Regional daily news journalist on the Far South Coast of NSW. Contact me on 0418 213 780 or at denise.dion@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Regional daily news journalist on the Far South Coast of NSW. Contact me on 0418 213 780 or at denise.dion@austcommunitymedia.com.au
