Young people urged to show their true colours and win

Young Queenslanders are being encouraged to express themselves about the issues that they care about for a chance to share in $6000 worth of creative prizes in the Youth Week 2009 “Make a Move” online competition.

Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the competition was a great way to gauge young people’s opinions and ideas in the lead-up to and during Youth Week 2009 (28 March – 5 April 2009).

“Last year, we received 150 entries from young people right across Queensland, and based on the quality of those entries, I’m keen to see what young people have to offer this year,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the competition was just one way the Bligh Government was helping young people get involved in their communities and in decisions that affected their lives.

“However, unlike the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, the Queensland Youth Council, or statewide youth forums, the competition allows young people to broadcast their opinions without having to leave their hometowns,” she said.

“Young people can use whatever medium they feel most comfortable with – take a photo, record a song, write a story, film a movie – whatever appeals to them.

“Last year was the first time we ran the competition and the entries were often thought-provoking and sometimes confronting.”

Entries into the Make a Move online competition can focus on personal issues such as body image, mental health, drugs and alcohol, or social problems such as homelessness, violence, bullying and peer pressure.

“You can also create an entry that sets out your vision for better ways to care for the environment or educate our young people, or how we can volunteer to make a difference,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

Entries in animation, audio, design, film, interactive media, photography, visual arts or writing are eligible.

The competition has two categories – Junior (12-17 years) and Senior (18-25 years). There will be two junior and two senior winners; each winner will have the choice between a laptop, digital SLR camera, and music or movie editing software valued at $1500.

Entries close at 5pm on Friday 1 May 2009.

The Make a Move online competition is part of the Queensland program of events in the Year of Creativity. For more information on the Year of Creativity, visit http://yearofcreativity.deta.qld.gov.au

For details of the Make a Move online competition and Youth Week 2009, including events in your region, visit www.youth.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280