Our Story

This is what we are…

Youth Barossa is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient status. We are a network of committed organisations, workers and volunteers that work together to share resources, accumulated knowledge, skills and funds, to promote and advance young people and their projects. By working together, Youth Barossa has the power of collective advocacy and resources to be an enabler for young people and their projects.

This is what we believe and what we value…

Youth Barossa values young people’s expertise in their own lives. We have made a commitment to work from a youth perspective, to walk beside young people in achieving their dreams and visions, and to use our power to help them build their power. We do this by helping them achieve what they are capable of doing, rather than doing it for them. We value mutual honesty, trust and respect in all interactions.

This is where we have come from…

Youth Barossa has grown out of two community groups – Youth Services of the Barossa (YSOB) and the Barossa and Districts Youth Network (B&DYN).

YSOB began in the 1980’s. For 15 years, YSOB provided supported accommodation to young people in need, before this service was taken over by Centacare. YSOB also ran the Track 4 youth centre and was involved with fundraising, entertainment activities, surveys, workshops, support groups, peer education programs, and a rural youth information service. YSOB functioned largely with the support of a pool of volunteers. Unfortunately, without paid workers, YSOB became unsustainable. In 2004, Track 4 opened its doors for the last time with an auction, to liquidate the last of its assets.

While still in its prime, YSOB saw the need for a network to provide support to isolated professionals working in the area of Youth. An agreement was reached to form B&DYN. The first Network meeting was held on March 10th 1998. Regular meetings with the opportunity to share information, ideas and support have continued to take place to this day, with a few changes.
At the time of YSOB’s decline, B&DYN members became concerned at the loss of this active force. This initiated discussions towards the Network becoming incorporated and developing an active role. The agreed solution was for B&DYN to take over the incorporation of YSOB. This included inheriting YSOB’s finances (left as profit from the running of the Youth Accommodation) on the provision that the money be used to assist youth in the region. Youth Barossa was officially launched in April 2006.

This is how we operate…

Youth Barossa Committee members meet every month and Network members every second month on the third Wednesday. Venues are decided in advance and rotate between those organisations that have suitable facilities.

Meeting Structure:

• Committee Meetings – These meetings only need to be attended by the members of Youth Barossa Executive committee. There will be no networking aspect to these meetings.
• Network Meetings – Will be held every month. These meetings are open to all interested members and guests.
  Executive members are required to attend the Committee meetings and have voting rights. Network members are welcome to attend the Committee meeting and offer opinions, but are not required to attend and do not have voting rights.

During the Committee meeting, grant applications are assessed and reported on. These include a Small Youth Project Grant (up to $250), an Individual Youth Grant (up to $500), and Youth Emergency Vouchers (food, transport, phone).

Youth Barossa’s grants have been set up to be sustainable. The money inherited from YSOB was invested in an interest bearing Building Society internet-account. The Barossa Council’s Youth Development Officer is the Grant’s Liaison for Youth Barossa.

The running costs of Youth Barossa are covered by a Youth Network Grant, which is provided by the Office for Youth. This grant has been successfully secured since 2002. A large part of this grant is also used to fund the Youth Emergency Vouchers. Employment Directions and Centacare manage the Emergency Vouchers on behalf of Youth Barossa.