Media Releases

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced today that 16 schools from throughout the region will receive funding for students to volunteer in the community thanks to the Victorian Government’s $4.5 million Advance program as part of National Volunteer Week to be held from 14-20 May.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our local communities,” Mr Walsh said when detailing the participating schools.
“The State Government’s Advance program is designed to encourage more of our young people to become involved in their communities in a voluntary program or project.
“Our schools are well placed to facilitate this as they regularly develop partnerships with community organisations and the linking of these partnerships with opportunities for developing volunteering can provide very positive outcomes for our communities,” he said.
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith announced that more than 420 schools and 17,000 young people will be participating in the Advance program in 2012.
“Advance is a fantastic program that encourages young people to get involved in their local community and strengthens local partnerships between schools and local community organisations and services.
“The program also provides young people with practical opportunities for mentoring and gaining new skills and training whilst learning more about their local community.
“Supporting young people to volunteer has a positive and lasting effect, not only on the individual, but the whole community,” Mr Smith said.
Advance is a $4.5 million flexible school-based program which engages and provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 14-18 to actively participate in their community through volunteering, while learning valuable transferable skills.
The sixteen schools in our region involved in the program are: Birchip P-12, Boort District, Charlton College, Donald High, East Loddon P-12, Manangatang P-12, Murtoa College, Pyramid Hill College, St Arnaud Secondary, Swan Hill College, Swan Hill Specialist School, Tyrrell College, Warracknabeal Secondary, Warracknabeal Special Development School, Wedderburn College and Wycheproof P-12.
“I congratulate these schools and the initiative they have shown in putting their hands up for this program,” Mr Walsh said.
For more information on the Advance program go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advance