I can’t imagine what I included in my job application. I had no qualifications other than having had four youth in my house for a number of years. I was fifty years old.
I saw the job advertised in the local paper – two jobs actually. One was for a youth worker and the other for someone to assist young people to find jobs.
I went for an interview thinking it was for the second position but it seemed that the youth worker was the job in question. Returning home, I had a rethink and phoned to say I no longer wanted to apply. ‘That’s a pity. The job is yours. What about a three month trial?’ was the reply.
Where would I begin? Driving licences were important in a town where there was no public transport. Six evening classes revising the L plate questions with some helpful speakers. The only thing was that more than half of the group who turned up were middle-aged women! A driving instructor was organised to come to Tallangatta for initial lessons before braving the metropolis of Wodonga. They all passed.
Adult-youth evenings discussing teenage parties, peer relationships, smoking and other topics, were a success. Young women’s groups with speakers on exercise, make-up, contraception and self-defence followed.
Two local young people died unexpectedly, one due to a rifle accident and the other a bright 16 year-old who contracted some sort of flu. A grief counsellor came out to talk with the young people
I saw the job advertised in the local paper – two jobs actually. One was for a youth worker and the other for someone to assist young people to find jobs.
I went for an interview thinking it was for the second position but it seemed that the youth worker was the job in question. Returning home, I had a rethink and phoned to say I no longer wanted to apply. ‘That’s a pity. The job is yours. What about a three month trial?’ was the reply.
Where would I begin? Driving licences were important in a town where there was no public transport. Six evening classes revising the L plate questions with some helpful speakers. The only thing was that more than half of the group who turned up were middle-aged women! A driving instructor was organised to come to Tallangatta for initial lessons before braving the metropolis of Wodonga. They all passed.
Adult-youth evenings discussing teenage parties, peer relationships, smoking and other topics, were a success. Young women’s groups with speakers on exercise, make-up, contraception and self-defence followed.
Two local young people died unexpectedly, one due to a rifle accident and the other a bright 16 year-old who contracted some sort of flu. A grief counsellor came out to talk with the young people
In amongst these programs we had the youth centre open - pool table, lounge chairs, cans of Coke for sale, lots of noise, the occasional swearing, straight after school and all through the holidays.
Then there were young people wanting to find work, others wanting to go to university who sometimes only lasted a semester, with the pressure of looking after themselves, often involving shopping, laundry, cooking, as well as the study. It’s not easy for young people from the country.
My challenges were many. The Youth Centre bought a mini-bus to take young people on outings and group meetings. Yes, I was the driver.
We organised holiday activities of canoeing and other outdoor activities, including abseiling from the Wangaratta water tower. Canoeing was a family pastime- no worries, but the thought of abseiling was a nightmare. Sure, I didn’t need to do it. But I somehow managed.
My challenges were many. The Youth Centre bought a mini-bus to take young people on outings and group meetings. Yes, I was the driver.
We organised holiday activities of canoeing and other outdoor activities, including abseiling from the Wangaratta water tower. Canoeing was a family pastime- no worries, but the thought of abseiling was a nightmare. Sure, I didn’t need to do it. But I somehow managed.
One of my youth left to go on his own path and ended up in Pentridge. A visit there was a new experience.
After six years, I decided that I’d like to help put the fence at the top of the cliff rather than the ambulance at the bottom and went off to do a Tafe Parenting course, which resulted in working with over 300 parents in various groups over the next few years, including one I’d had preparation for – in the Beechworth Gaol!
After six years, I decided that I’d like to help put the fence at the top of the cliff rather than the ambulance at the bottom and went off to do a Tafe Parenting course, which resulted in working with over 300 parents in various groups over the next few years, including one I’d had preparation for – in the Beechworth Gaol!
Carmyl Winkler
July 2023
July 2023
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