New Norfolk man selected for youth summit

Matt Hill.

A LOCAL leader in the youth development field has been selected to attend a national summit in Victoria in just under two months' time.

Former Derwent Valley Council youth worker Matt Hill has been awarded a scholarship to attend the National Youth Futures Summit which is to be held in Melbourne on April 20-21.

The summit is the first of its kind and will be hosted by the National Youth Commission with the aim of understanding the problems and challenges young people face in education, employment, and transitioning into the workforce.

"The summit will explore a range of topics including education, training, job services, young workers’ rights and future changes to the workforce and work types," Mr Hill said.

The New Norfolk resident last year participated in National Youth Commission (NYC) inquiry focus groups in Hobart as an identified expert in youth engagement and participation. He also supported the Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team (D’FAT) with its attendance and participation in the same focus groups.

"NYC is an independent, non-partisan community inquiry into the challenges faced by young people preparing for and seeking employment now and into the future," Mr Hill said.

Mr Hill's long background in youth support and development initiatives includes being an adult facilitator for D'FAT since its establishment as an advisory group for the Derwent Valley Council nearly 20 years ago, as well as various community-based roles with the Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, D’FAT is presently seeking stalls, entertainers and food vendors for the 2020 Market in the Carpark twilight festival at Glenorchy. "This event is a partnership between D’FAT, Hobart City Council, Clarence City Council and Glenorchy City Council and will be held at the Glenorchy City Council car park on Friday, April 3, from 3.30-7pm," Mr Hill said.

"This Youth Week Tasmania event builds upon a successful similar market held in Youth Week 2019 [which] had an attendance of 800 individuals and 51 stalls, entertainers and food vendors,” he said. “D’FAT encourages young people, schools, community groups and youth groups to apply to be involved by hosting a stall, food stand, performing, busking or leading an activity”.

Applications are invited from young people or organisations and registrations close on Monday, March 9. Youth Week Tasmania is an initiative of the State Government, which has also funded activities to be held in New Norfolk.