Peter Slattery

There is something obviously marvellous about the work of Julian Beaver. It’s clever, it’s aesthetic, it’s compelling, it’s engaging…and I think one of the things I like most about what he does is that it is out-of-the-box different. It has required effort and long hours and much failure and much faith and much endurance. There is something wonderful here for those of us involved in working with children and young people…something about encouraging the not-quite-as-we-expect, something about applauding the unlikely. Especially when someone is engaged in an adventure in its early stages and ‘can you make a living out of this?’ will almost certainly get a ‘no’. Well, Julian plugged on anyway. And aren’t we glad he did!

I am happy to keep on singing the praises of Bernie Shakeshaft, Backtrack and the amazing work that goes on with the boys up in Armidale New South Wales. Here is a beaut vid of the dogs programme PAWSUP…take a look.

And just to remind you in case someone has blocked your access (because clearly you are untrustworthy), here are a couple of pics here of what it’s all about…

…boys looking after the dogs, expecting the best from the dogs and encouraging them to jump high, getting up REAL early and going to comps, being together, developing relationships, skills, confidence, faith in self and others…

It’s not possible to talk too much about these programmes. They are just amazing, and a joy to be part of in action. Led by Bernie Shakeshaft up in Armidale doing some of the best youth work stuff around. Two Projects: PawsUp (Training dogs and competing at shows)

 And Ironman Welders

(a viable commercial welding shed) underway for some long time now, and a third programme AgLads (rural employment matching needs to interests to training).

Something like 95% completion of  TAFE or Green cards…accredited programmes. Lots of parts to what happens: the circle work with the boys before things get started; the boys talking about how their day is, working out what each person needs that day; making sure the older boys take on a mentor/leadership role; talking about what is happening that day (the shed, travel, a show…) and working out what is expected of each person and how that will be reached…

This is some of what the boys had to say about the success of the programmes:

‘come out better for it

skills learnt

willing to look for work

better team work/communication skills

give fuck about each other

develop friendships

old whitefellas come up to us down the street and ask do ya do dog/welding shit

community comes out better. No one ever says you can’t go dog jumping etc

proud of what boys make down there’

Remarkable stuff. Good onya boys…good onya Bernie.

Let me tell you why I am putting these two vids up on my website.

This first one because:

1. It’s about something important.  Ie encouraging people to get involved in the process of democracy
2. It does this in a really engaging way
3. The hiphop stuff is just sheer brilliance in itself.

This second one because:
1. The hiphop stuff is again just sheer brilliance
2.Funny is good
3.It continues, in its own way, to remind us of the political process.

Both of them are posted here because they continue to remind me that a really really useful way to present ideas of importance is through humour, lightness and useful and relevant spectacle. And if we want young people to be active in their worlds then these are good things to remember for those of us who work with young people. Especially those living on the edge.

Whether you love Richard Florida or love him less, he does say interesting things from time to time. In ‘Rise of the Creative Class’ he has the following to say….

‘As we have seen, most people do not quest after some workplace zen:They desire challenging work, good pay and reasonably competent management that does not get in their way.’  P 133

and…

‘…creative people and knowledge workers respond well to organizations with solid values, clear rules, open communication, good working conditions and fair treatment.’  P133

and…’failing companies’ are:

‘…beset with near constant stress, continuous uncertainty, chronic management turnover, frequent changes of direction and general chaos.’  Page 141

Would I be drawing too long a bow to ask just how might this all apply or not, to communities, to community work? To agencies in the welfare/youth sector? To the work we do with young people? To families? To how we spend out daily time? Hmmm…would it be time for coffee?

Ian Plowman, helpful and friendly person that he is, sent me an email in response to me referring on my website, to the terrific research he has done about what helps country towns flourish. I have cut and pasted Ian’s email below. Interesting stuff. And I am always keen to think about what these specific ideas mean for young people, for youth work, for the community sector in general, for running a school, for living in an apartment block……???…!!!…???

Thanks Ian. Keep it coming.

Hi Peter,

I’m pleased to see that my research still has currency.  Here is a summary of the main findings plus a link to the full report.

Given your blog entries on communication, you might also be interested in my current work, aimed at improving the resilience, creativity and dialogue within communities.  If you’d like to email me, I’ll send you an overview of a suite of techniques collectively known as ‘Meetings without Discussion’ and subtitled ‘Productive meeting techniques for helping people to contribute willingly, to listen respectfully, to consider deeply and to decide wisely’.  It has found effective use with teenagers, with government executives, with communities and with desert-dwelling indigenous peoples.  They all love it.

The most innovative country town had:
• The highest proportion of new residents,
• The highest level of home ownership,
• The highest average level of education,
• A high level of overseas travel,
• The fewest leaders,
• The highest proportion of people who had knowledge and expertise they were willing to contribute when required,
• A number of strong civic bodies in addition to Council.
• A Council that preferred to support civic projects in partnership with community groups rather than initiate or lead projects.
• A high level of passion and a low interest in the pursuit of funding.
• A higher proportion of professional people,
• Strong support for and pride in the artistic and creative dimension of its town.

In general innovative towns:
• Are not innovative because of a particular size, geographic location or particular industry,
• Are highly tolerant of diversity,
• Are very welcoming to visitors,
• Take pride in and contribute to their community, (participative democracy)
• Have a low dependency upon leaders and a high dependency upon idea and responsibility sharing,
• Have a low dependency upon governments.

A fundamental truth.  Most people have mobility choices: to move towards something that is attractive, away from something that is unattractive and to stay somewhere that is sufficiently attractive.  People who are the most mobile are commonly the most creative.  The innovative talent that most towns crave, they already have.  Intolerance will chase it away.

Recommendations:
• Invest heavily in diversity in every dimension,
• Invest heavily in leadership rotation, responsibility sharing and the growth of civic responsibility,
• Make all visitors feel welcome.  In particular, welcome the weirdo’s.  Form a visitors welcoming group.
• Promote your town shamelessly; talk it up; invest in it socially and financially; make it easy for others to want to do the same.

More information:
http://www.business.uq.edu.au/display/research/Research+Reports

Perhaps our paths might cross someday.

Warm regards,

Ian

I recently had the joy of another Beyond Empathy camp in northern NSW. A group of young people, carers, workers, young people and in some cases the children of young people…in on a Monday and out on a Friday…

with music, dance…

the river, rock-climbing, painting, walking, conversations and I think even an argument or two (oh no!). Ahh twas challenging…

hard work, fun, intriguing, testing, enjoyable, laugh-filled, and above all…totally worthwhile.

 Thanks to everyone. And hope to see you again…

There are ongoing discussions about young people comparing today with times that have gone before and asking is ‘IT’ all better or worse? Are young people the same? Different? And if different then in what ways? All good conversations to have. And of course the ‘S’ topic comes up frequently. And I have heard this question a few times lately: ‘Is there a new sexual revolution?’  It’s not the be-all-and-end-all but there is, for Australia at least, the 4th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health, and my reading of the stand-out points about what is happening with young people and sex, led me to the following. Check out the original source for more details.

• More young people sexually active
• Some with more partners
• More young people engage in oral sex
• Oral sex with three or more, has increased
• Increase in unwanted sex
• Connection: alcohol + unwanted sex
• More non-drinkers since 2002
• More young people binge drinking

I recently spoke at a conference for youth workers in the Illawarra. I was asked to speak about young people and sex, is there a sexual revolution? the latest national survey, which gives us interesting data…

In preparing for this I was in touch via email with Melissa Kang Senior Lecturer Department of General Practice The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital. All round good person I reckon. In amongst a lot of other very useful things, she had this to say:

 ‘We’ve given young women the ‘right’ to feel and want pleasure from sex, but I’m not convinced they know what that is a lot of the time. Young men are still expected to want pleasure and not feel too much, and they often want intimacy and love just as much.’

Something to think about.

If you can’t access the following video show then you might just go find a computer where you can. It is a homage to PAWS UP which is just one terrific idea put together by Bernie Shakeshaft in Armidale.

Working with border collies, the boys look after the dogs, train them, take them to shows and with detailed care, encourage the dogs to jump as high as they can. It is competitive…and they often win.

The music as you might hear, from Uncle Martin of Bowraville, is the same piece I used on my tribute to him. Seemed to fit.

If you don’t have flashdrive then really…download it.
In the meantime, here are a couple of pics that might give you an idea of what it’s all about.

There are both spoken and unspoken elements of this programme.

With the dogs
If you want the dogs to jump high…they need to look up
If they try a jump and don’t make it, they are caught by one of the boys

If they can’t make the height after three jumps, then they are pulled out for that day

If they do make the jump, when the go over the top, instead of facing a 9 foot drop, they land over on bales of hay and as before, are looked after by helpers

In conversation
How is your dog travelling today?
How are you travelling?
Hey crazy thought…might be some connection between the two?
Hey another crazy thought…does the way you act for example, towards your teachers, have anything to do with the way they act towards you?

Within the overall programme
The boys are involved in something fun and interesting
They have responsiblity for the dogs and for each other

They have a role and place in the programme
They have an identity within the programme

The boys respect themselves, the dogs, each other…

The boys are respected by others for what they do and how they present themselves

There is partnership and participation

This is something meaningful and challenging…a chance for everyone to shine

A wonderful programme. Well done Bernie. Good onya boys.