At Council, we define young people as those aged 12-24 years of age who live, work, study or play in Fairfield City. It’s important that we’re responsive to the needs of our young people and adaptive to changing times of rapid growth and new technologies.
Together with communities, government and non-government agencies, we support young people through programs, partnerships, and creating opportunities for them to actively participate in community life.
The Fairfield Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) represents the views of Fairfield City’s youth to Council, and advocates for the needs of young people.
To apply to become a member of the Fairfield YAC, you must be aged between 14-24 years and live in the Fairfield Local Government Area.
A new committee forms each year during May and June. The full term is one year from July to June.
Members of the YAC will:
- Receive training and develop skills in advocacy and group facilitation
- Meet other people who are passionate about youth issues
- Make sure Council is aware of local youth issues
- Participate in team building activities
- Work with Fairfield City Council to organise youth events such as the annual Bring It On! Festival.
What’s involved:
- YAC members must be able to attend committee meetings at Fairfield City Council Administration Building or other specified venues. Meetings are held monthly on a Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 8pm. Attendance is compulsory.
- Members are also involved in team building activities and community projects, and
- Members form the steering committee for the Fairfield City Council Youth Week program.
Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information on YAC opportunities.
The YAC Convenor is one leadership and development opportunity available to members of the YAC. This is a junior development position that is available once every 3 months for YAC members. The YAC Convenor works alongside Council’s Community Project Officer - Youth to plan YAC meetings, activities and initiatives.
Applications for 2020-2021 Fairfield YAC are now open.
Apply Today
National Youth Week runs in April every year. It is Australia’s biggest celebration of youth (aged 12-25) and gives young people the opportunity to share ideas, raise issues, attend events and celebrate their contribution to the community.
We celebrate National Youth Week with our Bring It On! Festival, NSW’s biggest and best celebration of youth culture, talent, music and art.
Local services work together with young people to run events across Fairfield City every April. A full calendar of events will be posted here before each Youth Week.
The Mayor’s Mentoring Fund provides funding opportunities for young people in the Fairfield LGA to engage in mentorship, develop leadership and celebrate their achievements.
Activities funded in the past include:
- Mayor’s Youth Achievement Awards
- The Getaway Intensive Camp - an early intervention initiative targeting young people at risk
- Newly Arrived Youth Engagement - linking newly arrived young people to services and peers
- School Leaders’ Breakfast - building bridges between schools via empowering their leadership group
Fairfield Youth and Community Centre - Vine St, Fairfield
The Fairfield Youth and Community Centre is part of the Fairfield Park Precinct - which includes the Adventure Park, Obstacle Course and Fairfield Leisure Centre.
There is a free Open Day on the first Sunday of each month, from 11am-4pm.
Drop-in activities occur five nights a week:
- Monday to Thursday 3pm-6pm drop-in program with Community First Step - 9727 4333
- Friday 3pm-6pm drop-in for newly arrived young people with STARTTS - 9794 1900
The Fairfield Youth and Community Centre is available for bookings. Visit Fairfield City Leisure Centres or call 9754 2078 for more information.
Bonnyrigg Youth and Community Centre - Bonnyrigg Ave, Bonnyrigg
Bonnyrigg Youth Centre is part of the Bonnyrigg Town Centre precinct. A variety of programs for young people, job seekers, and vulnerable members of the community happen here, run by the Daystar Foundation 9753 1600.
Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre - Restwell Rd, Prairiewood
Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre is located opposite Stockland Wetherill Park. A variety of programs for young people are run here, including a Thursday night drop-in run by The Parks Community Network 9609 7400.
ASK IZZY
Ask Izzy is an online search tool to help you find nearby services. It is free and anonymous, and you can search over 360,000 services to find housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice, addiction treatment and more. If you’re on the Telstra mobile network, you can access Ask Izzy if you don’t have credit.
CURIOUSWORKS
CuriousWorks is a unique community arts and media organisation that shapes Australia’s cultural future by nurturing new voices, strengthening cultural leadership and telling powerful stories that embrace the cultural vitality in communities, in everyday life.
FAIRFIELD/LIVERPOOL YOUTH HEALTH TEAM (FLYHT)
FLHYT is a free health service for young people aged 12-24 who cannot easily access a GP due to barriers in their life. FLYHT can provide free health check-ups with a nurse; counselling services, therapeutic support groups; help accessing mainstream health services and health education programs.
HEADSPACE
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. It helps young people who are going through a tough time. Looking for someone to talk to? If you're 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace.
ICE
ICE (Information & Cultural Exchange) is a Western Sydney community arts organisation working in the areas of cultural development, screen culture and digital technology and related education and training programs.
LAB.LX
lab.LX is a place to experience virtual reality and the latest tech gadgets. It is an experimental media space for inventors, entrepreneurs, and the curious who want to play with and understand the technology or create digital content and products.
REACH OUT!
Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times. The aim of the service is to improve young people’s mental health and well-being by providing support information and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.
THE SHOPFRONT YOUTH LEGAL CENTRE
The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre is a free legal service for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 years and under. The Shopfront is a joint project of Mission Australia's Sydney City Mission, the Salvation Army and the law firm Freehills.
SOMAZONE
Somazone is a website that was developed by young people for young people and is a program of the Australian Drug Foundation. It aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs in a non-judgmental and anonymous way.
STUDIO 2166
Studio 2166 is a high-end film and recording studio built for digital content creation. Access the facility to shoot promotional videos, create green screen special effects, or record interviews and podcasts.
YOUTH ACTION
Youth Action is the peak community group working in the interests of young people and youth services in NSW. Youth Action strives to achieve social justice for young people, including the appropriate provision of services.
POWERHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE (PYT)
PYT holds contemporary, community-based arts and theatre projects for young people living in Western Sydney. PYT works primarily with young people under 25 years, and professional artists. Their annual development program includes PILOT - workshops in theatre performance during school term for people aged 14-18 years, and the PYT Ensemble - intensive training a development in theatre making and performance for people aged 18-28 years.
YOUTH OFF THE STREETS
Youth Off The Streets runs outdoor outreach programs across parks and basketball courts in Bonnyrigg Skate Park and Cabra-Vale Memorial Park. They provide a safe space for young people to have fun, get free food and engage in games, sports and other activities. Young people aged 12-25 can connect with a Youth Worker for individual support and can be the first point of contact for accessing help. Call 0472 811 792 for more information.
HEADSPACE LIVERPOOL YOUTH REFERENCE GROUP
Headspace Liverpool Youth Reference Group is a volunteer-based team working on promoting youth mental health initiatives through community events. It is open to anyone aged 16-25 who is passionate about mental health issues. Call 8785 3200 or email headspace.liverpool@benevolent.org.au for more information.
REFUGEE YOUTH PEER MENTORING PROGRAM
The Refugee Youth Peer Mentoring Program is for young people who have recently arrived in Australia who may need help finding their feet in their community. Anyone aged 17-25 who has a refugee background or has parents with a refugee background can call 9755 8000 or email youth@corecs.org.au for more information.
STRONG MINDS PROGRAM
The Strong Minds Program is an early intervention program run by Woodville Alliance. The program supports the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people 0-18 years and their families. Call 9646 5516 for more information.
BRING IT ON! FESTIVAL
Bring It On! is one of Sydney’s biggest Youth Week events, attracting thousands of young people aged 12-24 years to Fairfield Showground. The day celebrates youth culture through music and dance performances, street art, giant games and sporting activities, along with informative and exciting community stalls focused on youth wellbeing.
If you would like to be added to a mailing list to find out more about youth events and programs coming up at Council, please email SCD@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au and ask to be added to the Youth Opportunities list.
Visit the Bring It On! Festival Home Page for more information & photos:
Bring It On! Festival Home Page
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