Ipswich City Council, in partnership with local schools and community groups, has launched the Rosewood Youth Collective Action Group, holding its first meeting last week.
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said the need for a collective response had become clear, with local library staff, teachers and students, community centres and services as well as Queensland Police highlighting an opportunity to better engage Rosewood’s young people.
“The objective of this Rosewood Youth Collective Action Group is to identify strategies and initiatives to improve positive outcomes for the young people of Rosewood,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
“Together, we aim to develop and implement localised solutions to local youth challenges.
“Uniting to share ideas and experiences is the best way to ensure coordinated and effective solutions and ultimately, support Rosewood’s youngest community members to thrive.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the group has broad representation from across Rosewood including Ipswich Community Youth Service, Ipswich Council Community Services, Ipswich PCYC, the Baptist Church, Rosewood Library, public primary and high schools, community centre and local police.
“Students from Rosewood State High School and Rosewood State School are also invited to share their lived experience and help ensure solutions consider the needs of their peers,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“As a group, we know there are significant health and wellbeing challenges for some of Rosewood’s youth.
“Strategies to engage our young people are already underway through each of the member organisations of the RYCAG, but through collective action, we can bring these resources together to ensure our youth in most need are identified and supported.”
Rosewood residents can also share their views and experiences with Division 4 Councillors as part of the Community Matters program. Visit the Rosewood Library on the first Monday of each month, 10.30am to 4pm, or Rosewood Village Shopping Centre on Thursday, 21 September from 5pm to 7pm.
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