The Y Australia

New directors and permanent CEO just dropped 👇 Last Saturday we held our 107th Annual General Meeting on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, in Essendon. We appointed several directors, including Aaron Froud, Brandon Howard, Lucinda Gibson, Renee Hancock and Roger Sharp. We also reappointed Leigh Johns OAM and Tom Stephenson. You can read more about our AGM and new directors here: https://lnkd.in/gDVTpgrm Y Australia President Amelia Shaw was also pleased to announce Alexandra Ash GAICD as the successful candidate for the ongoing position of CEO of Y Australia. Alex continues to be a driving force of the Y’s strategy and vision, consulting and collaborating with all Members of the Movement to progress Vision 2030. We’d like to thank our Y Presidents, Life Governors, CEO’s, stakeholders and staff for attending the 2024 AGM.

We’re proud to publish our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan today. The formal endorsement of our first ever RAP will push our organisation to Reflect on what we can do to advance Reconciliation with First Peoples. We’d like to thank Reconciliation Australia for developing this important Plan with us. And we look forward to working hand in hand with Reconciliation Australia and First Peoples in doing the work to make this Plan meaningful and actionable over the next two years. The Y is committed to building a better world, with and for young people. Recognising the world’s oldest continuous living Peoples is key to achieving this vision. Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gkW4QTeT

As an organisation, and one of the largest employers of young people in Australia, we have a responsibility to ensure that every child is empowered, protected and most importantly, safe. It's why we established Y Safeguarding. Y Safeguarding is a set of principles, practices and policies to ensure our environments, operations and culture contribute to the safety of every child and young person. This week we're proud to announce we are seeking proposals from qualified providers to deliver a new safeguarding assurance program. One which seeks to move us from compliance in safeguarding to excellence. And that focusses on continuous quality improvement, to ensure that we are delivering the highest quality standards to keep children and young people safe. Because we believe in strengthening community wellbeing, so young people can belong and be safe in their communities. You can find out more about this opportunity, and our journey in safeguarding at https://lnkd.in/g3BttviB

🎩's off to The Y NSW on the incredible impact their Alternative Suspension program is having with young people! 🙌👏

Today we remember those who served -   Those who helped and healed -   Those who came home and those who never returned.   The YMCA supported our soldiers in the war efforts, and for many years after.   This YMCA representative greeted returning Australian troops on the RMS Osterley in 1919.   With gifts in hand, he welcomed them home.   We know so many never made it back.   Men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice – whose lives were lost.   We honour them.   We remember them.   Lest we forget. YMCA Victoria YMCA Queensland YMCA South Australia YMCA Canberra The Y WA YMCA of Bundaberg Limited YMCA Geelong Inc. The Y NSW The Y Ballarat The Y Whittlesea Y Northern Territory @YMCA Hobart, Y Careers Y Services Pty Ltd

Meet Jenny Stramilos, our new Brand and Communications Manager. Jenny joins us with an extensive background in campaigns and strategic communications, having advised Premier Daniel Andrews throughout the pandemic, multiple crises and on the 2022 election campaign. She most recently worked to expand portable entitlements to NSW, developing a communications strategy for employers and workers. Jenny has her own story with the Y. 'When I was 11 years old, my parents signed me up to gymnastics at the local YMCA in Macleod. I fell in love with that sport, even though I wasn't very good at it! In truth, I kept going back because I had finally found somewhere I belonged. I'll never forget the feeling of coming to practice knowing the coaches, staff and other kids were excited to see me. I felt seen and accepted, just for being me.' The impact the Y had on Jenny's life is just one of the reasons why the Y matters to so many young people. Our Y Associations provide physical recreation services, childcare, out-of-school-hours care, youth programs and more for thousands of young Australians every year. Jenny is really excited to promote the amazing work being done by our Y Associations across the country - and empower and inspire young Australians along the way. Please welcome Jenny to the Y Australia team. Alexandra Ash GAICD Sally Cordina Amelia Shaw Leigh Johns OAM Christopher Lewis Tom Stephenson Andrea Kane YMCA Victoria The Y NSW The Y WA Y Careers YMCA Queensland The Y Whittlesea YMCA South Australia The Y Canberra Region YMCA of Bundaberg Limited The Y Ballarat YMCA Geelong Inc. Y Northern Territory

The Australian Government’s Office for Youth have opened applications for the 2025 Youth Advisory Groups!    Youth Advisory Groups work directly with government on policies and programs that affect young people.     The 2025 Youth Advisory Groups are:    - Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group working with the Department of Home Affairs  - Climate Change and Water Youth Advisory Group working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water  Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group working with the Office for the Arts  - First Nations Youth Advisory Group working with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)  - Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Youth Advisory Group working with the Department of Social Services. Who can apply?    Young people aged between 16 and 24 can apply to join a Youth Advisory Group.    Applicants do not need any prior experience on an advisory group, board or as a volunteer to join.    We are looking for young people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and skills.    How to apply:    The online application form will be open from 28 October 2024 and will close at 11:59 pm (AEDT) on 17 November 2024.    Find out more by joining the Office for Youth’s information session on Monday 11 November at 6pm (AEDT) Register on the Office for Youth website: youth.gov/get-involved or apply directly at Youth.gov.au.

We are very fortunate to have inspiring voluntary board directors at Y Australia. Read this report from our National Treasurer and KPMG Australia Partner Tom Stephenson from Mombasa, Kenya, to learn more about why the Y! World YMCA YMCA Queensland

For over four decades, Jenny. McCombe OAM has played a pivotal role in the Y’s efforts to safeguard children and young people. From casual play schoolteacher to CEO and national safeguarding leader, her commitment has helped shape the Y’s continued safeguarding evolution. Jenny reminds us that trauma-informed approaches are essential when working with children and families as well as our ongoing preventative work. Read more about Jenny here: https://lnkd.in/gP5WyZVs The Y Canberra Region #SafeguardingLeadership #YSafeguarding #ChildProtection #TraumaInformedCare #InspiringLeaders 

An update from our National President Amelia Shaw about the World YMCA Accelerator Week in Mombasa.