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Youth

Manning Valley Students Unite for Community Recovery

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Public high school students from Taree, Chatham, and Wingham came together to support their community's recovery from the May 2025 floods, demonstrating remarkable initiative, collaboration, and compassion. The students, many of whom were affected by the disaster themselves, participated in a student-led think tank, where they heard from local service organizations and brainstormed innovative service projects to aid in the community's recovery. Their collective efforts highlighted the significant contributions young people can make when given the opportunity to collaborate and take action.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Manning Youth Recovery Think Tank, held on July 30, 2025, brought together students from Taree, Chatham, and Wingham high schools to support community recovery and brainstorm service project ideas.
  • Students, many of whom were personally affected by the floods, heard from local service organizations, including MidCoast Council, NSW Reconstruction Authority, and Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre, and shared stories of individuals who lost their homes.
  • Four main areas of focus emerged: mental health and wellbeing, environment and care of country, youth advocacy, and food and homelessness.
  • The students created hundreds of project ideas, including activities to promote mental health, advocate for youth voice, and address community needs.
  • Mission Australia committed $3000 to support the initiation of three projects in local schools.
  • The think tank's outcomes aimed to address stigmas surrounding public high school students and demonstrate their capabilities for collaborative problem-solving.

Statistics:

  • 300+ project ideas were generated by the students during the think tank.
  • Three projects were selected to receive funding from Mission Australia, totaling $3000.
  • 4 main areas of focus were established: mental health and wellbeing, environment and care of country, youth advocacy, and food and homelessness.

Sources:

  • Julia Driscoll (2025). Manning Valley students unite: Think tank fosters innovative ideas. [Source mention not included, needed exact format from the original]
  • Nigel Reece, Taree High School executive principal.
  • Tiana Pulapaki, Wingham High School Year 7 student.
  • Jenna Brown, Wingham High School Year 10 student.
  • Peter Douglas, Chatham High School Year 12 student.

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