The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $95,000 in East Gippsland to help young people develop skills, build confidence and make new connections for life after school.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced Workways Bairnsdale will receive the $95,000 funding to support a range of local initiatives for young people

“Mr Bull said Workways’ program, ‘Gippsland East Mentoring’ (GEM), recruits community mentors to assist disengaged and ‘at risk’ young people who are identified as needing a person in their lives who can assist them to improve their self-confidence, their relationships with peers and family, school attendance and help them feel connected to the community.”

A further $130,000 has been allocated to Game Changers Australia for its ‘Captains Camp’ which combines sport, leadership and personal development into a program.  ‘Captains Camp’ is open to young people who display leadership within their sporting club and reside in the Gippsland area.

“These programs build on the Napthine Government’s commitment to give young people in East Gippsland more opportunities to get involved in their local community and to develop skills that will help them in education and along employment pathways,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith, said this investment in East Gippsland forms part of the Napthine Government’s $12 million Engage program.
 
“Through the Engage program, more than 100 Victorian organisations are assisting young people to make the most of volunteering and mentoring opportunities, helping them to develop wide-ranging skills for education, training and employment,” Mr Smith said.

“The Engage program is another example of how the Coalition Government is working with the community to give young people more opportunities to follow their dreams and achieve their best,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Bull welcomed the funding from the Napthine Government’s Engage program that will help more young people in East Gippsland live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.

For more information visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au