VIC

Contact Information

Street Address : 325-327 Queensberry Street, NORTH MELBOURNE Victoria 3051
Postal Address : 325-327 Queensberry Street, NORTH MELBOURNE Victoria 3051
Contact Number : (03) 9918 0002 or 1800 655 105
Email : victoria@create.org.au or to register for an event at vic.events@create.org.au
Office Hours : Mon - Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm

   

Meet the CREATE Victoria Team
Cathy Carnovale Position: State Cordinator   About Cathy: I have been working at CREATE for a few years now and I love it. My job is awesome – I get to meet inspiring young people and advocate for their voices to be heard! Part of my role is to work with our NYAC delegates advocating for change, running Young consultants training, and organising and delivering our Triple C events (Club CREATE Connection Events). I have been working with young people in out of home care for almost 15 years in heaps of different ways, but the best is of course CREATE. I love turning the radio up, mango smoothies and Ratchet and clank! I would love to meet you at one of our events or consultations. ‘Be the change in the world you want to see.’- Ghandi Loren Polzot Position: Community Facilitator About Loren: My name is Loren and I am really excited to be part of the CREATE team here in Victoria. I have worked for many years in the youth sector in NSW. I remember the early days of CREATE when they were called the Australian Association of Young People in Care. I worked with some people who helped get CREATE off the ground so it’s great to see how far the organisation has come. I have been in Victoria for 10 years now and have worked in a variety of different areas but am really happy to be back working with young people and youth sector! I am very passionate about supporting young people to be actively involved in decision making at all levels and to express their ideas and experiences in creative ways. There’s nothing more powerful than sharing your story and your ideas for change. I’m a big Saints footy fan, I love travelling and can often be found singing and dancing around the house to the Bee Gees. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” – John Lennon Amanda Scott Position: Community Facilitator About Amanda: Hey I’m Amanda and I am thrilled to be a part of the team at CREATE. I am very passionate about young people expressing themselves through creativity, speaking their truth and connecting with other young people along the way. I have worked closely with young people for the past 8 years, encouraging them to dare to dream, and learn about who they are. I am also an Art therapist and enjoy painting, photography, writing, dancing and travelling. I will be working on CREATE your future. Looking forward to meeting you, be sure to say hi at the next event! “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Nhyira, Okomfo Mena Kristie Togni Position: Community Facilitator About Kristie: Hey, I’m Kristie and I am the newest member of the CREATE team. I have been working with young people for the past 6 years and I have always been passionate about young people having a voice and being heard. My favourite thing to do at work is to run camps and outdoor activities. I guess you can say that I am a child at heart, and I’m sure you will all get to know that soon. When I’m not working, I love all sports, especially basketball, as well as the beach. One day I am going to learn to surf so look out for me on the pro tour. I will be running the young consultants and worker trainings. If you ever have any ideas about great things to do at CREATE then just come and talk to me, because your voice is what matters. Can’t wait to meet you all soon, so come and say hi to me at CREATE or at out next event.   Rachel Position: Trainee Office Administrator Hi I’m Rachel, the new Trainee Office Administrator. I have Just started working for CREATE. When you give our office a Call I’ll be the first person you speak to. In my spare time I love to read a good book. At the moment I’m re-reading The Harry Potter series. I enjoy music and going to gigs. My favourite band is A Day To Remember. I wanted to work for CREATE because it’s a fantastic organisation to work for.   Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care The Charter of Rights sets out the rights of all children and young people in care in this state.  The Charter talks about what you can expect from people who look after you and work with you while you are in care. If you feel like your rights are not being met, you should talk to an adult you trust like your carer or caseworker, or call the numbers listed on the Charter of Rights. You could also try calling CREATE in your state on 1800 655 105 to talk about your options. Some useful links: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/577565/charter_for_children_in_out-of-home_care.pdf (Under 12 yrs)  http://www.create.org.au/files/file/Getting%20It%20Right/PlanetRightBookweb.pdf (Over 12 yrs) http://www.create.org.au/files/file/Getting%20It%20Right/PlanetRightBookweb.pdf

About the CREATE VIC Team

  
Youth Advisory Group
The Youth Advisory Group is a program that brings young people together to discuss care issues and explore solutions. Youth Advisory groups are in each state and territory and provide feedback which activates change for the better. The Youth Advisory Group also tells CREATE how best to represent the opinions of children and young people in care. Come along for a day filled with fun, goals setting, discussions, food, drinks, and activities like horse riding, movies, sporting events, exhibitions, personal developments, outings and more! A great chance to hang out with other young people and connect with them and with us at CREATE! Get involved.

The next YAG Dates:
2nd June 2012
7th July 2012

About our Programs

clubCREATE
clubCREATE is a club for children and young people in care, or with a care experience. Members get a welcome pack, bi-monthly magazines, invitations to events, and a birthday card each year. You can join clubCREATE by calling the VIC office on 03 9918 0002 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au and ask for a membership form. It is essential for all children and young people to be a member of clubCREATE before attending any of our programs or events.

Entering Care Kits
If you are entering care for the first time, CREATE will deck you out with a backpack of essential stuff to help you on your way. You need to join clubCREATE to be able to receive a kit just contact your VIC office on 03 9918 0002 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au.

CREATE Your Future Workshops
We have CREATE Your Future workshops running regularly across Victoria. If you are aged between 15-25 and have an experience in out-of-home care then this is for you. Gain the skills you need to become independent and achieve your goals for your future- everything from budgeting, to getting a job and stay tuned for our new workshops to come in 2012! To register, contact Amanda on 03 9918 0002 or email amanda.scott@create.org.au.
 

 Pathways to Independence
On Saturday we have 8 young people aged 15-25 attend this workshop all about leaving care. We had guest speakers to help us explore our options in housing, centrelink, and how to budget and make the most out of our income. It was great to share our insights and experiences with the other young people and learn from each other. We also played some funny games where we could let loose and have some fun.

The Great Race
We will have a race around the town against the other teams to solve clues and find out information about different services you can access to help you become independent, and some random bonus clues along the way. We will finish with an activity and some lunch, and prizes to be won! Contact Amanda to register on 03 9918 0002 or email amanda.scott@create.org.au.

Think Outside the Square
We will explore our comfort zones, learning styles and thinking outside the square for when you become independent. Have some lunch, get to know each other and then try out our skills with a hip hop class! Contact Amanda to register on 03 9918 0002 or email amanda.scott@create.org.au.

Job Readiness
Are you strapped for cash? Are you thinking about getting a job? Come along to Job Readiness and try out some activities that will get you job ready. We will cover everything from what to wear to an interview, practice questions, resume writing, cover letters and references; we will have lunch and some fun in between. Contact Amanda to register. 

Carn the Kids
The amazing team at Lease Plan regularly gives us free football and soccer tickets throughout the year. If you would like to receive updates for this great opportunity sign up to our e-news by emailing us at victoria@create.org.au. Take this opportunity to receive free tickets and have an awesome day out at a major sporting event, so you can cheer on your favourite team! 

 
 

Young Consultants
Are you a young person who is in care, or has left care? Do you want to be a part of a group of young people who have been in care and want to change the system in the future? Are you aged 14 or older? Then Young Consultants is for you! Young Consultants are young people aged 14 and over who have had a care experience. They work alongside CREATE to share with others in the community what it is like to be in care. Young Consultants go to conferences, consultations, forums and events to represent CREATE and young people in care. To become a young consultant you need to complete Young Consultants Training.

Young Consultants also get a few perks. They can participate in connection activities like trips to the movies and professional development courses including things like Senior First Aid, interview skills, budgeting and building a resume all of which Young Consultants can access for free.

Young Consultants Training
To become a Young Consultant you need to undertake the Young Consultant’s Training (YCT) Course which is a fun training workshop. You can hang out with other young people, develop skills in presentation and public speaking and learn all about the Care system. Young Consultants training may lead to opportunities to do some occasional paid work with CREATE in through representation at conferences, consultations, forums and events and providing training support.

If you think Young Consultants is for you or you would like to learn more about what we do then, please contact Kristie on 03 9918 0002 or email victoria@create.org.au.

Case/ Child Protection Worker and CSO Training

This is an opportunity for Young Consultants to affect positive change within the care sector. A CREATE staff member and up to three Young Consultants deliver a training session to case or child protection workers who work directly with children and young people in out-of-home care.

CREATE Your Future website | www.createyourfuture.org.au

This website is designed to assist young people who are leaving care. It has heaps of information on topics like health, housing, education, employment and more. You can also read stories about other peoples’ experiences of leaving care.