Youth Awareness Resource Network

The Future We Are Creating

"I believe if we really want Australia to change, it requires all Australians to realise they need to be actively apart of the direction it must take. Like any relationship between two people, it requires good communication. Through relationship building between Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians, we can change the Australian story. From the shrimp on the BBQ, to having all Australians tell the Dreamtime stories of their local town or suburb where they grew up. With this knowledge every Australian plays a role and is very much a part of the oldest culture in the world. By doing so, you all play a vital role in keeping this oral culture and history alive. Y.A.R.N believes through the power of a story, along with a respectful space, meaningful relationships can be built. By doing so, we can all be proud of country we all would like Australia to be. To do this I know it is bigger than me, and I need likeminded people like yourself to stand with a brother to make this happen. Today I ask you to make that stand, walk with me until we seek this change we all dream of". Warren Roberts CEO & Founder of Y.A.R.N

How We Are Creating It

We are established at a number Universities around the country. We strive to break down the divide between Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians by providing a safe space where non Indigenous Australians can ask the tough questions. We believe if we do not provide the opportunity for all Australians to engage with Indigenous culture, through a meaningful and respectful space Indigenous culture will be lost. To inspire our future leaders our program was established at Australian Universities, those students at University will shape the nation’s future. Ultimately these leaders will be making the tough decisions in 20 years’ time. By providing an opportunity to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we all can help shape the nation’s future together.

Youth Awareness Resource Network:
We are young Australians who are raising awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and their culture, through the right resources like books, articles, and most importantly the power of individual stories. Y.A.R.N began with a hand full of students; we are now a part of a greater network expanding across Australia impacting on more than 300 people and growing.

YARN strives to building and Maintaining:
·         A safe space for both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students on campus
·         An opportunity for greater understanding of Indigenous culture.
·         Support networks between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students
·         Links to the local Indigenous communities

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

Y.A.R.N began in a tutorial group at the University of New South Wales within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course in 2007. I notice that many of the students were being respectful and suggested great ways of engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As I sat in the room and thought to myself, this opportunity to discuss and build an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture should be more available for everyone. After weeks had passed by I asked two questions of the group. Are we suggesting all these great ideas, for a good participation mark? Or are we making these suggestions because we really want to see change within our communities? The latter was chosen. I made a suggestion we catch up after the tutorial and have weekly discussion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The unique idea about this was we allowed students to ask questions on what they would like discuss and learn about. The power of allowing students to ask the question became the foundation of the group. Each week would be a different topic. After the discussion we would ask everyone to share what they learnt with their friends, family members, work mates, and anyone who would listen. Whilst furthering our discussions in our own time we were engaging with the wider community. As a result people wanted to know how they could get involved too. We then decided we would give our group a name. It was suggested that the group be called Yarn. Then I went away thought about it and came up with Youth Awareness Resource Network. That is how Y.A.R.N was born.

The foundation of this program is the People. The unique idea about this is we allow non-Indigenous students to ask questions on what they would like to discuss and learn about. By doing so we are engaging with people who have never had the opportunity to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, people, and their experiences. If no such space exits more stereotypes are formed, more problems arise, and the ignorance will continue. Having a respectful and meaningful space can only enhance our communities, our workplaces, and our Nation. Stand up and be counted today, as we can make a difference, but the first step starts with our willingness to listen, understand, and most importantly to share.

Your help will ensure more Australians can be a part of the Y.A.R.N Dream to Build Relationships through the Power of a Story to inspire all Australians to share the Stories and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Your support will help us establish our website and our marketing brand, this will include:

Website:

Provide information on the future events that is happening at Universities around Australia

Provide information on Past events

Contact information

Profiles of the Staff, Ambassadors, Patrons and Board Members

Most importantly it will provide information how you can get involved with Y.A.R.N at a University near you.

Marketing Brand designed and Printed they include:

Business Cards

Letter Head

Flyers

Marketing Booklet

T-shirts

Your support will help reduce our administration costs like:
- Book keeping.

Y.A.R.N is made up by volunteers having this website and the our Marketing Brand produced will provide a great way all Y.A.R.N groups to collaborate and have a consistant marketing approach. Our website will be a point of contact for the wider community and a great avenue to find out how you can get involved.