An educational program designed to assist local communities in dealing with confronting issues for young people is being rolled out across large parts of regional NSW by Charles Sturt University (CSU).

 

Developed in regional Queensland by solicitor Mr Adair Donaldson, CSU last year secured the first licence in NSW to roll out the Putting Youth in the Picture program across the local government areas in its regions.

 

“This program is about empowering local communities through their local councils, school or sporting groups to use the program’s resources to hopefully prevent their young people from getting into difficulties,” said Manager of Residential Operations at CSU, Mr Peter Bell.

 

“Through a series of authentic but confronting scenerios, the educational program shows the consequences of certain behaviour. There is no moralising but a frank presentation on what can go wrong for young people in some circumstances.

 

“No issue is regarded as too tough to tackle such as sexual assault, binge and underage drinking, and alcohol-fuelled violence.”

 

Mr Bell, who is charged with providing for the welfare and pastoral care of students in the University’s Halls of Residence at Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga, initially embraced the program after meeting Mr Donaldson at a Brisbane conference in April 2010. Mr Bell will now outline the program to an international conference of universities from the United Kingdom in early April.

 

In addition to its licence to roll out the program in NSW, CSU is putting all its students living on campus in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga through the program.

 

The first year students living in the Halls of Residence in 2011 underwent the program as part of their official Orientation activities in February.

 

Two CSU students involved in training the first year students at CSU in Wagga Wagga earlier this year  were Bachelor of Medical Science student Mr David Seymour and Bachelor of Education (Primary) Mr Jason Stuart. The students, who are also Head Residents in the on campus accommodation, will present a free public lecture in Temora on Tuesday 5 April to detail how the program works.

 

Their lecture will be held from 6pm Tuesday 5 April in the Temora Town Hall on the corner of Deboos and Loftus Streets in Temora. CSU wine and cheese will be served after the lecture. RSVP to Ms Anne Rands on 02 6980 11 00 or send an email.  

 

You can view the students’  YouTube video on the Putting Youth in the Picture program here.