The Becoming U team in October 2022. Isabel Pavlich-Miles, Simone Atallah, Elisse Pope, Cass Wilson, and Jess Miller. Credit: Leah Moore, The Moores Photographers
Becoming U in the media
The inaugural Nambucca Heads High School Youth Advisory Council closed off 2022 by meeting Senator Tim Ayres and presenting to Nambucca Valley Council about the challenges, strengths and needs experienced by young people in the community. The YAC spent the year learning how government works, developing their advocacy skills, and speaking up about the issues that impact young people in the Valley and we hope that those in the community continue to listen and help amplify the voices of young people. Watch Senator Tim Ayres speech on Facebook.
In December, hundreds of young people and adults from the Coffs Coast region competed in the second Ball Against Domestic Violence 3×3 Street Hustle charity event. The competitors raised over $4,000 for Wesley Mission to support children, families, and others in need. Becoming U and Uniting NSW.ACT were proud to be sponsors of the event again in 2022.
Here’s a fantastic article with Kane from Connective Fitness sharing his journey, motivations, and goals. We’re lucky to have Kane work with us on our Active U youth fitness and well-being programs. If you also want to watch a video about Kane and his friend Amanda raising money for flood victims by doing burpees for 5 hours (yes, 5!), you can watch that here, The local community shows up for flood victims.
Becoming U is excited to be nominated for a NSW Youth Work Award in the category of Outstanding Work With Regional Young People. In their 11 November 2022 issue, Nambucca Valley News of the Area spoke with Barry Higgins, Becoming U and Uniting NSW.ACT’s Community Impact Strategy Lead, about the recognition for Becoming U’s work, the value of the project and programs for young people in the Nambucca Valley, and initial consultation and collaboration with the Toormina community and Becoming U expands. You can also read more about our nomination here.
Cass Wilson, Becoming U’s Community Impact Strategy Co-ordinator, was interviewed by Coffs Coast Focus magazine in their October 2022 issue. Cass discussed the journey of the project and its mission, co-designing the 5 unique programs underway in the Nambucca Valley with young people and key youth organisations, and the expansion of Becoming U into Toormina.
On March 18, over 300 young people, families and Nambucca Valley community members enjoyed the premiere screening of Becoming U’s feature documentary, ‘Inspire U: Stories from the Valley’ at Nambucca Heads High School. News of the Area showcased the free community event in their 22 April 2022 issue. You can watch the feature documentary and see stories from our digital series on our Inspire U page.
Author: Simone Atallah
