I WENT to the Clubhouse last week to assist one of the students with learning to crochet, and I saw firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement of these young people with the options on offer at the Clubhouse – art, crafts, coding for computer games, 3D printing.
The mother contacted the clubhouse co-ordinator afterwards to express her thanks for the support provided to her daughter.
As a former secondary school teacher in maths and science, I know how difficult it is to interest teenagers in anything educational – but this place works!
They are learning skills in science, technology, the arts, communication and co-operation without actually thinking it is a chore.
This is a place where everyone feels welcome and can follow their own individual interests.
Its popularity and high attendance is evidence of the need for a program like this. A large number of the kids who attend are from Aboriginal backgrounds.
The freedom of choice and the support of their peers and the co-ordinators does much to enhance the mental health of these young people who would otherwise have limited after-school options in a country town.
There is so much talk from politicians about the need to support our youth, to support Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), to support regional areas, to support Indigenous people, to support mental health – and yet a program like this which covers all of these areas is unable to find funding?
This is a program which should be seen as fundamental to ensuring regional youth receive the support they need to engage in the areas of arts and science and to build a sense of community.
It is a program that should be expanding rather than closing down.
I urge governments at all levels to review all avenues to source funding for the continuation of the Clubhouse as I cannot think of a better way to engage and expand the STEAM skills of our regional youth.
Bronwyn John
Broken Hill
