A successful online creative writing project that reaches thousands of young people at schools in regional NSW can continue through a state grant of $8650, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has announced.
Youth Online, run by the New England Writers Centre (NEWC), is a tech savvy venture that uses video conferencing and new smartboard technology to engage young writers in workshops with some of the nation’s leading writers and illustrators.
“This is a great program because it offers equal access to small schools in isolated areas, as in larger centres,” Mr Torbay said.
“Technology breaks down barriers and in this case it gives students an opportunity to interact with professional writers regardless of where they live.”
Since the program started in 2010 as an initiative of the Armidale based NEWC, more than 5000 young people from 50 schools, 15 in the New England region, have been involved.
It began with online typing sessions and phone broadcasts but has progressed to using the more sophisticated technology. NEWC was the first organisation outside the school system to use the technology which has interactive sound and vision and allows writers and illustrators from anywhere in Australia giving live workshops to schools.
“Some are small schools in isolated areas with 20 or less pupils,” Mr Torbay said. “For them to get a workshop with top writers such as John Marsden, John Heffernan and Sophie Masson, in a package of seven workshops at a very affordable price, is a real bonus.
“The state funding makes it possible to subsidise the project for the small schools as well as make it available to larger primary, central and secondary schools.”
The project has been funded through Arts NSW’s Young People program.
Information about Youth Online and other events in the NEWC program is on the website: www.newc.org.au – phone 6772 7210 or email admin@newc.org.au
