Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith has announced exciting changes to the popular Youth Central Roving Reporter program.

Youth Central is the Victorian Government’s website for young people, by young people.  The site receives more than 100,000 unique visitors per month and is among the most popular youth government websites in Australia. Since 2006, Youth Central has employed young people as Roving Reporters to contribute articles, reviews and interviews about issues and events that are of interest to young people.

Mr Smith said the new program was developed after receiving an overwhelming response to last year’s call for young Roving Reporters.

“In September last year we received close to 200 applications from young Victorians who wanted to be part of the Roving Reporter program.

“The Get Published program will add two new opportunities to the Roving Reporter program so that all young people have the chance to contribute and for those who regularly contribute an option to enhance their skills through blogging on the Youth Central site,” Mr Smith said.

The Get Published program will provide three categories for participation:

• Guest Reporter – all young people can submit their article ideas to the Youth Central team for consideration.
• Roving Reporter - once you have submitted more than four articles as a Guest Reporter you can apply to join the six month intensive Roving Reporter program.
• Youth Central Blogger - Roving Reporters who have completed their tenure can apply to become a regular contributor to the official Youth Central blog for a year.

Mr Smith said these changes deliver on the Victorian Coalition Government’s vision for young people outlined in the recent youth statement ‘Engage, Involve, Create.’

“We want to see more young people involved in their communities and decision-making, engaged in education, training and employment, and creating culture, communities and change,” Mr Smith said.

“I am delighted that the new Get Published program will enable more young Victorians to get involved online, engaged in skills and training, to have their say and be creative,” Mr Smith said.