Step into the Picture

It is thanks to the Youth Bushfire Response Gift that we have been able to bring together this project which showcases the positive roles and activities of young people. The stories from young people aged 13-26years are inspiring and highlight the positive impact of young people in our local community while at the same time assisting in the recovery from the 2009 bushfires.

A special thanks to Marion Drummond, the School Chaplain at Eaglehawk Secondary College, who supported many young people into the project.

Big thanks to the young photographers and those who have shared their stories and images. You provide inspiration for many other young people and other members of our community with your aspirations and focus.

The photo-narrative methodology for this project was compiled and facilitated by Deanna Neville of Focus on Community. The photographs were taken of young people by young people; the stories written by young people to inspire young people. For information about this and other community photo-narrative projects go to www.focusoncommunity.org and to view the booklet online go to www.issuu.com/focusoncommunity

Introduction

Acknowledgements

This is a project of the Youth Bushfire Response Gift

INSIDE FRONT COVERDO NOT PRINT

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A feeling of satisfactionAdam GrahamI accepted a leadership position because I want to make the most of my time at school and put something back into the school. I have been involved in Energy Breakthrough for two years and have taken up other opportunities when they have come up at school. Outside school I have been doing Triathlon in Bendigo for five years and this year I am doing Venturers (Scouts). I do these activities because they are fun and interesting and I meet different people. In the end they provide a feeling of satisfaction. In the future I am thinking of the defence forces, police … something that helps people and is physically active.

Photo by Liam Frye

Contents

Adam Graham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Akira Sendall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Barkley Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Breanna Tivendale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Brodie Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chloe Parker & Mikhala Dower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Daniel Lambert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

David Stokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Elise Clarke & Tessa Atherton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Genevieve McColl & Megan Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Jessie Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Jordan Ilsley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Josh Maggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Kate Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Liam Frye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Matthew Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Rozanna Priest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sarah Trew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Sharni Bergman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Siobhan Dungey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Tahlia Holmberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Tom Savage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

2 3

I’LL BE IN THE

Akira Sendall

I really, really want to play basketball but we don’t have the money to do that yet; to sign up for a team yet. But we have a basketball hoop in the car port which often has the car in it so I don’t always get to use it. There are teams at school but I’m a bit to scared to join. I saw basketball on the TV and really liked it – the jumps and stuff that they do and dribbling around your legs.

I can’t do that yet but with some practice I’ll be in the NBA! That would be good.

I’m trying to write a story at the moment. When it’s finished I’ll send it to a publisher. It’s going to be a surprise – you’ll have to read it when it’s published!

Photo by Rozanna Priest

This year I am a Neighbourhood Sports Leader. I took this position because I wanted to have a leadership position.

I play Under 16 Football with Eaglehawk and enjoy listening to music, mainly Metal and Rock. In the future I want to be the best I can …the field is open on what area!

Photo by Rozanna Priest

Best The

Barkley Jackson

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Mental stimulus and physical release

Brodie Price

Skating is good mental stimulus; a good physical release. It keeps me away from other things like drugs and alcohol. Other interests I have are graphics, which I study at university, which I’ve just started.

Photo by Isaac Lenter

Breanna Tivendale

I am Sports Captain at Eaglehawk Secondary College. I play basketball and do scouts and have achieved the Australian Scout Medallion which is at a high level. I really, really enjoy all sports. I want to be an environmentalist and a photographer.

6 7

Why do I ride? I started for a couple of different reasons. I mainly started to get fit and meet new people; make new friends. I started when I was six years old – BMX racing. And then a couple of years later I got into the tricks side of it, BMX freestyle competition. After about two years practising I’m where I am now. I’m just starting to make a video to see if I can get a sponsor to help me out because it’s a pretty expensive sport – especially parts. It would be good to travel around from it and meet all my heroes that I’ve watched ride.

Photo by Michael Measures

MY HEROESDaniel Lambert

The School Gangster

REBELSWe are best friends. We are both Community Leaders. Mikhala: I’ve played netball and I play for the school and we both play school hockey. I’d like to be a sports teacher. Chloe: I want to work with animals, particularly monkeys – maybe I’ll be a zoo keeper. We are known as The School Gangster Rebels and we are also part of the Eaglehawk Youth Crew.

Chloe Parker & Mikhala Dower

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LEADERSElise Clarke & Tessa Atherton

We are both leaders of the Blue/Walker Community at Eaglehawk Secondary College. Tessa: I play netball and would like to have a science career. Elise: I play netball and would like to be in the fashion industry. We organise the school netball team.

I love my cricket. I’ve been playing for Golden Gully for four years. I have been volunteering with the CFA for ten years and have my ten years medal. I’m inspired by helping the community in any way I can.

I have been involved in the local Eaglehawk community house and was the supervisor for Men’s Shed beside The Hub in Eaglehawk. I play local footy and do as much as I can; sometimes I over-commit and need to learn to say ‘no’.

I’m hoping to get my semi-trailer license and use that for future work.

Photo by Rozanna Priest

David Stokes

10 11

I work at The Hub. I’ve been asked to help a lot of young kids around here, to keep them off the street and away from alcohol and stuff. We’re planning to do things at the Scout Hall and connect in with their activities. Because I’m a young person I got asked if I had any ideas and I thought it would be a really good idea to do stuff with young people that stopped interrupting the neighbourhood and gives them something to do. I’d like to see a lot more kids attending school programs here or programs for teenagers. I feel excited about doing it – I wouldn’t mind giving it a go!

Photo by Siobhan Dungey

Jessie Davis

Giving it a My sport, my friends, my

FAMILYGenevieve McColl & Megan Stewart

We are both Community Leaders and doing our deb. We both work part-time. Genevieve: I like my sports. I play netball, hockey and Fire Brigade running. I’d like to be a paediatric nurse. Megan: I love my friends and family. I am with the Eaglehawk Youth Crew. I’d also like to be a paediatric nurse. We are afraid of the school gangster rebels! (LOL!)

Photo by Chloe Parker

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Josh Maggs

I’m a Community Leader at Eaglehawk Secondary College. I enjoy making short films so I’m helping other students make short films for a competition. My dad was into film making when he was my age so maybe I’ve got the interest from him. I really like the production day, when all the sets are done, all the actors turn up, the filming starts and so does the fun.

Photo by Kate Peterson

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Jordan Ilsley

I am part of the Energy Breakthrough Team at Eaglehawk Secondary. I enjoy road and mountain bike riding, cricket and footy. I have a part-time job at Eaglehawk Hot Bake. When I grow up I’d like to be a cricket sports coach.

14

I’m going to Turkey for a month to do the Gallipoli Exchange Program. I really want to do it because we’ve had a lot of Turkish students stay at our place so it’s a good opportunity to experience it in their shoes. I do triathlons. I’m currently training with the best coach in Victoria. I’m hoping to step up to ITU (International Triathlon Union) and get into the Victorian team.

Photo by Adam Graham

A good opportunity

Liam Frye

Kate Peterson

I’ve been chosen to go to Turkey on cultural exchange. We go for a month and stay with a host family. We go to a Turkish school and go sight-seeing around Istanbul. I’m very excited because I get to experience a whole other different culture; a different country.

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A sense of community, a sense of belonging

Matthew Smith

Tracey used to be my old church minister and I emailed her to ask if I could do anything to help out. And that was about a year and a half ago with the bushfires. I knew there was a great need for something, a greater sense of community ... a place for people to feel welcome and belonging. I’ve realised a great need for more support and assistance in the Eaglehawk area. I help people with computers, with food – anywhere from 3 to 15 people might come in one day. I’m also involved in my church

youth group with games and activities. It gives them a sense of belonging and team work. It gives me a sense of belonging too. I’m about to start a Diploma of Children’s Services. I’ve been involved in play group and I’d like to have a better understanding of child care. Out of the devastation and horror of Black Saturday a great place like this came about – just one person from the community starting it all.

Photo by Rozanna Priest

I thought I’d like to get into photography and look at how it fits in with counselling. I’d like to be able to take photos of things that help people, like colours, flowers, people, sometimes pets. My mum’s got some photos of flowers that I’ve taken and she’s got them on Facebook because she really liked them because they were so bright and colourful and that it made her proud.

Self portrait by Rozanna Priest

Rozanna Priest

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Sharni Bergman I go to Net School which is connected to Bendigo Senior. It’s got more opportunities for me. Being at the school inspires me to get into more poetry and to be more creative. I’m even keen to learn to play keyboards.

I just write. When I write poetry I get inspired by my feelings and my idol, Johnny Depp. And the good thing about my teacher – my mentor – is that she LOVES Johnny Depp! That’s another good thing about my school: being able to relate to my mentor. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I’ve come thanks to Net School. I’m trying not to give up – it inspires me to open up more and realize my capabilities.

Self portrait by Sharni Bergman

Sarah Trew

I get inspired

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This year I have been elected to lead the School Representative Council as President. I believe I can do a good job in encouraging the members to get involved. I have been on the SRC for two years in the past so I have a few ideas.

I am interested in the performing arts, music and fashion. Outside of school I play tennis and I’m involved in dancing, which I’ve done for about ten years. I do these things because I find them fun and they are hands-on. In the future I would like to run my own business. I love business management and perhaps I’ll have a career in performing arts.

Photo by Rozanna Priest

Fun and hands-on

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I am the Green Sports Captain at Eaglehawk Secondary College. I do swimming, golf and netball competitively. I coach all these sports as well at Junior level. When I grown up I’d like to be a primary school sports teacher and I want to travel around Australia.

Tahlia Holmberg

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Kids are fun to be around!

Siobhan Dungey

The reason I’m photographed at a kinder is because I’d like to work with kids. I think kids are fun to be around. One time I couldn’t go on school camp so I spent two weeks helping my brother when he was in prep. When they made pancakes or read stories they wanted me to help out. And at recess time I would go out and play hide and seek with all the kids. I thought maybe this would be a good job and I’d like to get some work experience in a kinder or day care centre.

Photo by Rozanna Priest

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INSIDE BACK COVERDO NOT PRINT

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Relaxation and

balance

This year I am a Neighbourhood Leader. I took up the leadership position because I wanted to make a difference and try to do some different things that can work.

My interests? I love Maths. Outside the school I run for the Eaglehawk Athletics Club. Eight hundred metres is my best distance. I also like music and play the piano and trumpet. I find these provide relaxation and balance in my life. I also have an interest in politics; I think it is important to know who is running the country and what the issues are.

In the future I may be a teacher or go into politics.

Photo by Rozanna Priest

Tom Savage

Step into the Picture

Kids Helpline Ph: 1800 551800 http://www.kidshelp.com.au Free confidential 24 hr telephone counselling services for 5-25yrs.

Online counselling available

Lifeline Australia 24hrs - Ph: 13 11 14 Confidential counselling, support and referral service for crises and personal emergencies- all ages

CFA- Country Fire Authority http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Victorian Bushfire Information Line - Ph: 1800 240 667 Information during significant bushfire incidents and help for the community to prepare for bushfire risk

Australian Psychological Society - http://www.pyschology.org.au Information to help you cope with the bushfire season

Centacare- Bushfire Communities Support Team - Ph: 5438 1300 Outreach counselling and community development