Welcome to the second e-newsletter for National Youth Week 2007.

Welcome to 2007 and the countdown to National Youth Week. April 14-22 is set to be huge with plenty of events and activities happening throughout the week. You can find out what’s new and what’s happening with National Youth Week 2007 at www.youthweek.com.

The theme for National Youth Week 2007 is Launch Yourself, so share your creativity, get onboard and most importantly - have fun.

In this issue:
1) National Talent Competitions - Now Open!
2) Win Free Stuff Competitions - Now Open!
3) Organising an event for NYW 2007
4) Have your say
5) Coming soon – Calendar of Events
6) Thanks to our sponsors and supporters

1) National Talent Competition & Win Free Stuff are now open!

The National Talent Competition - RockIT, WriteIT, ShootIT, SnapIT and DesignIT – is NOW OPEN and is your chance to put your creative talents on display.

The National Talent Competition is divided into five categories. RockIT is for the budding musicians, WriteIT for those creative with words, ShootIT for the talented filmmakers, SnapIT for the upcoming photographers and DesignIT for those handy with art and graphics.

Conditions of entry, prize details and entry forms are now available from the NYW 2007 website.

Who can enter?

You can enter on your own or with a group of friends in the junior (12 –17 years) or senior (18 – 25 years) categories.

How will it work?

There are two different award categories: You could be up for either an Industry Award or a People’s Choice Award for your creative efforts!

From all the entries we receive, our judges will select a winner in each age and competition category to receive an Industry Award. They will then select another four entries in each age and competition category to be in the running for the People’s Choice Award.

You’ll be able to check out the four entries and vote for your favourite online during May to decide who the winners will be.

Need inspiration? Check out last year’s talent comp winners.

When do the entries close?

Entries are open now until 5.00pm (AEST) on Monday 23 April 2007. All winners will be announced in June.

2) Win Free Stuff Competitions are open

NYW 2007 brings you heaps of chances to WIN FREE STUFF!

All you have to do is go to the NYW 2007 website and answer the simple question associated with that prize group. It’s that easy! There are lots of cool prizes on offer… so check it out!

Some of our Win Free Stuff supporters include Electronic Arts, Scouts Australia, Inspire Foundation – Act Now, Inspire Foundation – Reach Out!, Australian Volunteers International and Australian Sports Commission.

The Win Free Stuff competitions close at 5:00pm (AEST) on 23 April 2007. Winners will be announced in June.

3) Organising an event for NYW 2007

Have you thought about holding your own event and becoming an Official NYW Event Organiser? It’s a great way to get involved in your community, meet other young people and most importantly, have fun!

The NYW 2007 website – www.youthweek.com - provides all the information you need to set up your own event, including resources available to you, tips to make your event great and details of how to register your event on the What’s On Guide.

Go on, get involved and help make NYW bigger and better than ever before!

4) Have your say

The National Youth Week team are interested in hearing about issues that are important to you.

The National Youth Week on-line polls are open and are a great way for you to have your say and let us know what you think about a wide range of issues. Check out the NEW online poll on the website.

If you have an issue that you would like to see addressed as part of the NYW on-line polls, email your idea to youthweek@facsia.gov.au or call the NYW hotline on 1300 663 500.

5) Coming soon – Calendar of Events

With hundreds of events happening across the nation the NYW Calendar of Events helps keep you informed about what’s happening in your backyard.

Stay tuned, the calendar will be up and running in late February.

6) Thanks to our sponsors and media partners

NYW 2007 enjoys excellent support from its sponsors and media partners. In 2007 we are delighted to thank the source, Channel Ten, Imparja, Poprepublic, Australian Sports Commission, Allan's Music, JoyFM, Teds, JobJuice, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Scouts Australia.

This e-newsletter is produced by the Communication and Media Branch of the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA).

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