b'The Great Eastern Mail DECEMBER 2, 2022 05Young people future-proofing bushfire-hit regionsEast Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Mark Reeves (second row, centre) with Councillors, Council staff, and Future Proof project partners and participants at the Lakes Entrance community of practice.Y OUNG EastGippsland is part of thisCouncil and Moogji will be Gippslanders fromambitious project, whichfacilitating youth advisory areas hit by the Blackbrings together youth agedgroups which will engage Summer bushfires are leading12 to 25, two Aboriginalup to 10 young people to recovery and preparednesscommunity-controlledlead disaster resilience and efforts in their communitiesorganisations, three Localprevention projects. They will thanks to a $10 million,Learning and Employmentalso help 15 young people multi-council project. ProjectNetworks and Victoriakickstart careers in emergency partners recently met in LakesUniversity over two years, tomanagement, youth work, Entrance for a three-daydrive recovery outcomes forcommunity services, community of practice. fire-affected young people andmental health, community The Future Proof: Youngcommunities, Cr Reeves said. development or mental health People, Disaster Recovery andIts incredibly importantwork.(Re)building Communitiesthat our young people areAs principal of the Alpine project is led by the Youthsupported and feel inspiredSchool, a School for StudentGIPPSLAND MELANOMAAffairs Council Victoria andto help in both the recovery ofLeadership, I work with young funded via a Black Summertheir towns and regions, andpeople from across the stateAND SKIN CANCER CLINICBushfire Recovery Grantsthe building of communityand wholeheartedly believe Program, of which Eastresilience, he said. that our youth are the key towww.gippslandmelanoma.com.auGippsland Shire Council is aThe project has employeda brighter future, Cr Reeves key partner. three young peer workerssaid.East Gippsland Shireacross Council, MoogjiI know that our shires8 PEARSON ST BAIRNSDALECouncil Mayor Cr MarkAboriginal Communityyoung people can contribute Reeves attended the recentControlled Organisationpositively to community gathering of the Future Proofand Gippsland East LLENrecovery and I look forward towww. tzpatrickhouse.com.auproject team, including all(GELLEN), with another to beseeing the amazing outcomes 14 partners, at a dinner andemployed with Council soon. that the Future Proof programASK YOUR GP FOR A REFERRALmeeting held as part of theA minimum 354 youngachieves.Community of Practice. people across East GippslandThe Future Proof projectPHONE 51 444 555 FOR APPOINTMENTSIm excited that Eastwill be engaged by the project.will run until 31 June 2024. 260mm x 186mmCalifornian Redwood ForestGrand Ridge RoadGreat Ocean Road GippslandStay close, go further.VISIT VICTORIAYou dont have to go far to feel like youre a whole world away. Just far enough to leave the crowds behind andnd your space. A place where you can reconnect with nature, soak in the scenery and feed your soul. And okay, enjoy some great wine while youre at it. Go further in Victoria.'