Youth leaders launch United Knights in Shepparton
Thursday, 17 April 2008

Three Indigenous youth from Shepparton will kick start a joint dream on Friday, March 28, when they launch the first stage of their community capacity building project United Knights.

Danielle Matthews, David Murray and Luke Brown, all 2007 Ganbina Indigenous Youth Leadership graduates, developed the project last year and in April their dream will come alive!

What is it?

"We want get youth off the streets and let them have fun in a safe environment and while they are in that environment we want to educate and encourage them to succeed in life," David said.

What does it involve?

"There will be theme orientated nights held at North Shepparton Community Learning Centre for youth aged between 13-17 years throughout the year. The themes include Drugs and Alcohol, Sex Health, Peer Pressure, Racism and Culture, Family Break down and violence, Staying in School and Employment/Careers," Danielle said.

"We have established a partnership between Ganbina and North Shepparton Community Learning Centre to run the project, Paul Custance of Logofarm kindly designed our logo so we're all very excited about how it's come together," Luke said.

"Danielle, Luke and I were all part of the North Shepparton Community Learning Centre youth group when we were younger. We thought it was great and worthwhile. We got to socialise with our family and friends and it kept a lot of kids off the streets," David said.

When the program finish in 2004 many of the youth were disappointed so Danielle, David and Luke thought it would be great to resurrect the program but this time with a difference - "to have more impact on the lives of youth by addressing some of the major issues affecting our community today".

The students aim to:

• to educate youth about healthy lifestyles, Indigenous culture and successful people.
• provide a place for youth to meet successful Indigenous people that will inspire them.
• Bring our multi-cultural community together.
• Encourage youth to stay at school.
• Give youth an opportunity to express themselves and their talents.
• Keep traditional culture alive through food, dance, art etc.

The event this Friday to launch the project is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ganbina and North Shepparton Community Learning Centre.