Nardu Young Australian Achievers Award Program

The Nardu Young Australian Achievers Award program is a new and exciting program designed to bridge cultural and socio-economic diversity and encourage young Australians (13-23years) to reach their potential whilst contributing to community in ways that exceed personal achievement.

The award program is the result of fifteen years of research into the socio-ecological dynamics of community.  This comprehensive and holistic program integrates all aspects of community infrastructure with a special focus on preparing young people for the responsibility of sustainable community and active contribution to society.

The award program provides opportunities for participants to achieve in five key areas: 

• Family and Community Service

• Vocational Education Training

• Environmental Conservation and Education

• Cultural Appreciation

• Physical Fitness and Well Being

The program will be available across Australia within schools and organisations from February 2008.  Participants will have the opportunity to achieve Bronze and Silver Award Certificates and Gold medals as they complete each of the three stages of the program. 

Bronze Award

Certificates will be awarded to young people who participate in the Nardu Survivor Challenge Camp.

The aim of the Nardu Survivor camp is to encourage a spirit of determination and courage.  This involves a five day camp where participants experience teamwork and survival skills.  The program begins as the young participants are introduced to a scenario of having survived a disaster, e.g. a plane crash.  This creates a level playing field where everyone is faced with the fact that we are all human and dependent on each other and the environment for survival.  Participants are drawn from different cultural, socio-economic, academic and religious backgrounds.

Young people are brought together for a week in the bush using nature as their guide for survival.  During this camp we bring the participants back to basics where mobile phones, computers, cameras, money, jewellery, ipods and drugs of any kind are not permitted.  They are then able to focus on the things that become really important, such as nature, community, family, communication and caring for each other.  During the camp participants realise that effort brings reward as they experience tremendous physical challenges, coupled with a wonderful opportunity to experience real community.  On the last evening before families arrive the young people take part in a campfire celebration to acknowledge their participation in the program and their journey into adulthood.

In order to be signed off for this activity a diary of experiences and observations must be kept for assessment.

Expected Outcomes:

Utilising a whole community model, resilience and independence can be achieved throughout each stage of the program.  However, each participant will experience constant challenges in each section of the course and it is the persistence of each young person that leads to the development of resilience and self-reliance.  Through each challenge individuals realise they are more capable and confident in any given situation.  The emphasis on teamwork also supports individuals to realise they can achieve a great sense of self worth during group activities within the extended community.

There are many reasons why young people become alienated from their families and the extended community.  As each individual completes the Nardu Survivor camp they have the opportunity to view family and community from an informed perspective.  Specifically, the principles of interdependence are illustrated throughout the course showing participants how community members and families are dependant on each other in order to create a functional community.  Here they can realise the vast resources available in the community and the care and understanding required for the well-being of communities and their members.  This experience will provide young people with the opportunity to:

• Learn resilience and independence

• Recognise the needs and strengths of others

• Apply strategic thinking and make responsible decisions

• Plan and execute group activities

• Enjoy and appreciate the natural environment

• Respond to challenging situations

• Reflect on personal and group performance

• Gain understanding of our dependence on the natural world for survival

• Realise that it is care, appreciation and respect for each other that is the glue that binds communities together

• Affirm family bonds

Experienced Outcomes: 

Pilot programs have illustrated the following results:

• An increase in self-esteem of participants was way beyond expectation

• A profound connection with and appreciation of nature

• A great sense of accomplishment

• The realisation that as human beings we are all equal regardless of race, culture, religion or monetary wealth

• The realisation that technology is not a contributing factor to self-worth

• The realisation that caring for each other is the glue that binds a community together helping make it sustainable

• The bonds with nature were so profound that participants rethought their priorities in life and wanted to contribute more to sustainable community

• Participants saw community in a totally different light as they became more aware that everyone has something to contribute

Silver Award

Having achieved the Bronze Award Certificate young people can then progress to the Silver Award Certificate program.  Because of their newfound appreciation for nature, self and others young people can complete this part of the program with greater insight.

Each of the following five sections requires a minimum of 30 hours of participation, which is recorded in a journal and assessed by program co-ordinators.  Certificates will be awarded to those who fulfil the requirements of all five sections.

Environmental Conservation and Education:

This section of the program supports the Federal Government's stand on Ecological Sustainable Development.  Participants will learn that the human-built environment is dependent upon the natural environment, which ultimately determines the quality and survival of life on planet earth.  Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Learn about local environmental concerns

• Contribute to conservation projects

• Develop awareness, knowledge and understanding of the environment

• Learn skills to assess the state of the environment

• Work with rare and endangered species of flora and fauna

• Learn about TAFE and University environmental based courses

• Develop a balance between environmental, social and economic impacts of development

• Experience an emotional feeling of oneness with nature

• Observe career opportunities associated with the environment

Family and Community Service:

The aim of this section is to encourage lifelong service to others in an ecologically sustainable community context.  Here participants are given the opportunity to assist families and community members who are in need.  This enables young people to feel a sense of worth and appreciation. This will also promote young people in the community lifting their image as they demonstrate an ability to care and assist fellow community members.  It encourages participants to:

• Demonstrate personal commitment to a community or service group

• Appreciate the diversity of needs of members in a community

• Show that they can trust and be trusted as a caring member of community

• Experience a sense of self-esteem derived from feeling good about helping others

• Learn about TAFE and University courses associated with service industries

• Understand the advantages of a diverse culture thereby overcome prejudice

• Generate positive community action in a sustainable community context

• Accept responsibility for community well being through showing common sense and initiative

• Observe career opportunities associated with service industries

Vocational Educational Training:

The aim of the (VET) section is to encourage participants to learn social and practical skills that prepare them for career paths.  These activities will also encompass skills, which address personal needs as these young people establish sustainable futures.  Qualified professionals and trades people will act as mentors in this process providing young people with the opportunity to:

• Develop their abilities and discover new talents

• Meet new people and develop relevant social and communication skills

• Develop practical skills in a working environment

• Discover how to research information and be organised

• Make real progress by try something new

• Learn to appreciate working with skilled adults

• Value the experience of mature professionals and trades people

• Aspire to a career that previously may not have seemed possible

• Learn about TAFE and University courses associated with the profession and industry of interest

ü      Cultural Appreciation:

The aim of this section is to encourage participants to explore their own individual creativity.  By focusing on self-expression through the creative arts, participants will experience ways of directing their energies in a manner that is constructive and beneficial to self and others. Participants will have the opportunity to: 

• Learn about self expression through the arts

• Experience work in a theatre production

• Learn skills relating to other cultures

• Experience traditional indigenous knowledge, dance and crafts

• Use a potter's wheel, turn wood or sculpt stone

• Learn skills relating to other cultures through hospitality industries

• Participate in activities involving other cultures

• Observe career opportunities associated with the entertainment or arts and crafts and hospitality   industries  

Physical Fitness and Well Being:

The aim of this section is to encourage lifelong participation in physical fitness activities and improve knowledge and understanding of maintaining health and well-being.  Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Extend personal goals to improve fitness

• Experience enjoyment associated with keeping fit

• Learn about the nutritional aspects associated with health, fitness and obesity

• Explore new recreational activities and discover new abilities

• Engage in group activities that raise self-esteem

• Discover personal strengths and weaknesses

• Attend first aid training classes

• Respond to physical challenges previously not thought possible

Gold Medal Award

Having completed the Silver Award Certificate participants are then prepared to embark on the Gold Medal Award program.  Gold medals will be awarded to those who satisfactorily complete this program.

Gold Medal Course Components:

Part A Residential

The aim of this activity is to provide involvement with others in a residential setting.  In this situation young people will see how much they rely on each other in a day-to-day context and thus experience how a community works.  Group activities will include in-depth discussions on community leadership.  The aim is to help young people develop an appreciation for their role in community.  At this residential at least 30 hours must be devoted to discussions and design of individual community projects, the theme of which must be drawn from one of the five sections in the Silver Award section.

 OR

Group Activity

Where schools or organisations are unable to organise a residential group discussions can be held on a regular basis in a committed group supervised by a program supervisor.  At this activity at least 30 hours must be devoted to discussions and design of individual community projects, the theme of which must be drawn from one of the five sections in the Silver Award section.

Part B Community Project

This is the practical part of the Gold Medal Award where participants produce and implement their individual projects.  A minimum of 120 hours must be spent on implementing and completing the project.

Part C Report

A written journal must be kept of the entire project and this must include video footage and/or still photos.  Once the report is finished the project is assessed by program co-ordinators.

During the gold medal program participants will have the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate enterprise and the ability to focus on a community outcome

• Develop leadership skills

• Consider the well being of others and self

• Work towards a shared goal

• Enjoy working with others

• Feel good about contributing to community

The Nardu Young Australian Achievers Award program is a comprehensive program designed to provide participants with an array of skills and experiences helping them achieve their potential.  The focus is to extend each individual beyond their limits with a view to exposing their true potential.  The invitation is extended to each individual during the course and on completion to continue achieving in the areas mentioned.  Essentially a community benchmark of achievement is experienced so that the community as a whole is aware of the great contributions of our youth.  Here young people begin to feel tremendous incentive to continue to develop their potential throughout their adult life.

 The Nardu Young Australian Achievers Award program aims to deliver a national program that empowers individuals to help build sustainable community.  Employers can sponsor young employees to do the program as an incentive for promotion and reward and by way of professional and personal development training.  Community organisations can offer the program to achieve their own aims and objectives.  This however is not made obvious to participants encouraging all young people to participate.  The intention is to deal with marginalisation experienced by young people in an integrated way.  It is also designed to support youth from different cultural backgrounds, broken families, with disabilities and indigenous, to experience and build functional community.  

The program provides experiences of collaboration and community contribution that enable participants to feel a great sense of worth, purpose and sense of belonging.  This emphasis on self-reliance building in young people is supported by a mentor component where graduates of the program assist new participants in each stage of the award.  Action research and review and evaluation are an essential component of the program.  

There is also a great opportunity for promotion in the “Community Project” section of the course.  Here young people have the opportunity to perform on stage, excel in many different arts and crafts and produce and create resources for the community.

    The Nardu Young Australian Achievers Award Gold Medal