Australian Youth By Ed Merrison
ADOLESCENTS in the Pacific are set to benefit from the expertise of the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ Youth Services Team.
Community development worker Katie Pulling left Australia on Friday, 30 September, bound for Fiji where she was set to take on the role of volunteer adolescent health promotion officer in Suva for 12 months.
Ms Pulling was recently appointed as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) as part of an Australian Government initiative to aid developing countries.
The volunteer program aims to strengthen the mutual understanding between Australia and AsiaPacific countries in order to contribute positively to development in the Pacific.
Ms Pulling said her role would involve working with the people of Fiji to develop a life skills program for adolescents.
“The program will address issues related to reproductive health including adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, as well as alcoholism, drug abuse and other related youth issues,” Ms Pulling said.
“It will be a great opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired while working with young people in the Yarra Ranges to help young people of a totally different culture, but with similar issues.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges CEO Rob Hauser said Ms Pulling’s appointment as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development was a wonderful achievement.
“I am delighted for Katie, and wish her all the best in her new role over the next 12 months,” Mr Hauser said.
“The Shire’s Youth Services Team does a tremendous job in supporting young people in the Yarra Ranges, and I’m sure the young people Katie works with in Fiji will benefit greatly from her skills and experience.
“We are looking forward to hearing about Katie’s experiences when she returns in October 2006,” Mr Hauser said.
Information about new assignments as part of the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development program is available online at www.ausaid.gov.au/youtham.
