During the forum, which was attended by stakeholders, service managers and guest speakers, a template of how the program will be conducted in each of the communities over the next 12 months was formulated.

The aim of the program is to give youth a voice and help them to overcome their disengagement with mainstream norms and expectations in areas of their lives.

The program also aims to help create a sense of pride for local youth and improve their health and well-being through empowerment and by giving them the tools to succeed.

This program will support youth to shape their own futures by connecting them with employment and affiliated support services such as training, education, health and lifestyle.

“With over fifty one percent of the Shire’s Indigenous population under 21 years of age, youth are seen as the future of the shire and its communities,” a shire spokesperson said.

“:This will be the first time seven of our communities have had full time youth engagement staff employed in them.

“The opportunities provided by the program are extremely important for the future success of the shire and its residents.

The shire believes that working in partnership is one of the keys to success and welcomes any community organisations or stakeholders with the shire who are interested in assisting with the program to contact the programs regional coordinator Catherine Harris on 8972 0752.

Victoria Daly Shire Mayor Reg King said the Youth Engagement Program would “provide the shire with the staff and resources to identify the issues effecting young indigenous Australians in their day to day lives that affect them in connecting with support services such as training, education, health, lifestyle and employment.”