There is less than one month left for young people living in regional Australia to submit a Heywire application.
Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, said Heywire is an excellent opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 22 to document, in text, video or audio format, life outside major cities in Australia and to address the issues affecting their community.
Winning stories are professionally produced and featured on ABC radio, TV and online. Winners receive a trip to the Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra.
“With more than 9000 entries from the past 16 years, Heywire represents the diverse experiences of young people growing up in the rural and remote Australia,” Senator Ryan said.
“It is important that all young Australians feel they have the opportunity to have their voices heard.
“I strongly encourage any young person who has a good story to tell to get involved in this great initiative.”
Each February, the Heywire Regional Youth Summit takes place in Canberra and winners come together to share experiences, collaborate with peers, gain leadership skills and develop ideas and projects to improve the lives of young people in regional Australia.
The Summit culminates in a public forum in Canberra during the first Parliamentary sitting week for the year, where participants pitch ideas to politicians, policy makers and funding bodies.
Funding of $100 000 is provided by The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to assist community organisations pilot the ideas raised at the Heywire Summit.
Heywire entrants must be aged 16 to 22 and live outside Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Entries close on 16 September 2014. Find out more about Heywire at www.abc.net.au/heywire.