Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is with pride that I rise today to speak of a fantastic project from the community of Yea in north-east Victoria. High school students and local organisations have produced a book called What Gets Us Through Hard Times. It is written by youth for youth in the Yea area about dealing with difficult times. It was a collaborative effort between Yea High School, Berry Street, Evolve, and Yea and District Memorial Hospital. What Gets Us Through was developed by five year 9 and 10 students from Yea High, with support from Andy Lacy, the high school counsellor and Yea and District Memorial Hospital counsellor.

The project ran as part of understanding the boys' reflections on hard times in a small rural community, including the aftermath of the fires. The boys were interviewed in a safe context in order to capture some of the many insights and the wisdom and learning they have realised in response to dealing with serious life problems. The book is a resource, rich in helpful local ideas and strategies, written in a way that is accessible to other young people, and of enormous potential benefit to young people and their families right around Australia.

Congratulations to Matt, Kane, Mick, Brydon and Aiden, and to Andy Lacy, who coordinated the project; and congratulations on the leadership provided by Yea and District Memorial Hospital, Yea High School and Berry Street. Great job—well done!