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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-03 Daily Xml
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NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (15:30): I would like to talk about two events I recently attended during National Youth Week in my electorate of Ramsay. National Youth Week is a joint Australian state, territory and local government initiative and is the largest celebration of young people across Australia. In 2012 National Youth Week was held from 13 to 22 April, and this year's theme was 'Imagine, Create, Inspire.'

Programs and events held throughout the week gave young people the opportunity to share ideas, showcase their talents and celebrate their contribution to their communities. On Friday 13 April I attended the Paralowie Youth Service's 10-year anniversary. The event was designed as a celebration as well as an opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent in Adelaide's northern region.

Events included dance acts, street artists, a dance-off, and an outdoor art exhibition displaying talented visual artists from the northern region. Several participatory events were staged by local community groups and youth agencies, including street art workshops and the Ultimate Challenge course, which was run by South Australia Police.

Located in the City of Salisbury, the Paralowie Youth Service is an integrated youth and community facility for young people and their families. The service provides access to a range of programs and services that support young people aged from 12 to 25. Many of these people are experiencing a range of issues such as homelessness, drug and alcohol problems, or poor mental health. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the great and important work undertaken by the staff and volunteers of the Paralowie Youth Service.

On Friday 20 April I attended the launch of a TravelSmart SA project, 'On ya bike—live, ride, succeed', at the City of Salisbury's National Youth Week skate park event. The project is a joint initiative of the state government, in partnership with local government, and aims to promote and facilitate sustainable transport options. Developed and funded by Salisbury council's Twelve25 Salisbury Youth Enterprise Centre, which is at the heart of delivery of youth services from the council, its goal is to provide no-interest loans to young, low income earners and recipients of Centrelink payments.

The young people use the loans to purchase a multipurpose pushbike, helmet and lock to get them to work or study. Once recipients of the first round of bikes have repaid the loan, the funds will be retained to offer another round of interest free bike loans. I am pleased to inform the house today that the very first successful applicant to receive a bike is 20-year-old Dilli Ram from Salisbury. I got to meet Dilli on the day. He is a Bhutanese new arrival to Australia. He has been here for two years. He is studying, and he would like to become a doctor; that is his desire. He will be using the bike to deliver the Messenger newspaper around the northern suburbs.

Another successful launch held on the day by Salisbury council was that of the new theme of the Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle program, known as OPAL. The program began in South Australia in 2009 and is a joint federal, state and local government initiative. The largest community-based obesity prevention venture of its type in Australia, the program is backed with more than $40 million in funds over eight years.

OPAL aims to increase the proportion of children in the healthy weight range by increasing healthy eating and physical activity through families and communities. The new theme, 'Think Feet First—step, cycle, scoot to school', encourages children and families to incorporate more active travel into their day. Since the 1970s the rate of active travel in Australia has declined significantly, with less than 20 per cent of young people walking to school today compared to almost 55 per cent in 1970.

That is why we are encouraging people to try to be more active by walking, cycling or scooting to school and other short trips to the local park or shops. Children who are physically active are usually fitter, healthier, happier and have stronger bones than those who are not active. Parents are also given the opportunity to spend quality time with their children, as well as getting some exercise themselves.

It is great that Salisbury council is one of the 16 South Australian councils to operate the OPAL program, and I commend both the staff and the parents who have got on board and who are so vital to the success of the program. The State Park Day at Salisbury North was a great achievement, with approximately 250 young people attending the launch and events.

Time expired.

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