Recreation

Youth Week Excursion

The Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) went on an excursion (organised by the recreation working group) to a water fall at Lorne during Youth Week. The special day was organised for the Committee members to come together and do something fun.

All the Committee members that made it on that day met at the office at about 9am and we left at about 10am. The catering was organised by the Coordinator and also the individual young people who were responsible for organising the excursion. Once everyone was in the bus we drove for about 2 ½ hours to get the water fall at Lorne. On the way, we had a break on the Great Ocean Road where pictures were taken.

Once we got there, we walked about 10min to get to the water fall which was so magical and beautiful to see the jungle. However, there was not much water flowing down. We all went a bit closer to see some of the trees and flowers that were growing around the area and also enjoyed the smell of nature.

On the way back from the water fall we stopped by a beach to prepare lunch. We cooked up some vegetarian and non-vegetarian sausages on the barbeque. After eating our lunch we all went to see the beautiful beach and then drove back to Melbourne with some unexpected little stops (car sick).

My favourite part of the special day was walking down to see the water fall because I was so excited and happy about the opportunity to see the water fall. There is only one thing that I would want to change which was the time of the year. There was not much water which was a bit disappointing for me and other people. Maybe next time we choose to go when there is a lot of water falling down and looking so good.

By Shukria Alewi

Brimbank Activity Day

I participated in the Leadership Program last year in order to improve and be able to use my leadership skills. After the Leadership Program, I was given the opportunity to be involved in organising the Brimbank Activity Day (BAD). I helped out with this program because I love meeting many people.

BAD only happened during the holidays, so the planning part often took place a few weeks or even a month before the actual holidays. Usually, everyone would meet after school and we started planning from there onwards. First of all, we needed to agree to a location, where we would go for BAD. We collected many ideas for the day from the Refugee Minor Program and the participants. Then we decided what needed to be done, such as making a flier, making phone calls to book the place, who was doing the shopping, etc. Most of the participants that helped organise the activity day were the leaders from the leadership program.

Also from this experience, I learned to be tolerant towards other people and how to keep everyone together despite the difference in opinions. Every time I went on Brimbank Activity Day, I met new people. Most of them were from the Refugee Minor Program.

If I am going to do it again, I would suggest we go to Adventure Park because there are more activities.

Maribyrnong Activity Day

WYPIN together with other organisations such as the Refugee Minor Program, New Hope Foundation and Victoria Police are working in partnership with Maribyrnong City Council to organise Maribyrnong Activity Day (MAD). MAD happens during the school holidays and is organised for the young people who live in the City of Maribyrnong. On the day, young people and workers go somewhere just to have fun. The last activity day was on 30th June and they went ice-skating at the Olympic Ice-Skating Centre.

By Linh Dinh