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Gambling, gaming and young people

Teenager gaming

After two years of dedicated effort and success, we are excited to report that we have acquired funding for the extension of The Dee Why Project for an additional three years.

The Dee Why Project is generously funded by the Office of Responsible Gambling NSW and was established to develop a comprehensive gambling and gaming education awareness program, with case management, for the Dee Why community.

Over the past year, The Dee Why Project has successfully organised a Community Forum on Gaming and Gambling, which served as a platform for creating discussion and awareness-building around gaming and gambling.

To navigate children through responsible gaming and gambling, workshops were conducted in the Dee Why region to foster wellbeing and life skills among students. Open Services Days were also organised at secondary schools on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Internal training was provided to all Burdekin staff members, thanks to collaboration with GambleAware. This training significantly enhanced the confidence of staff in initiating conversations with young people regarding potential harm and occasional gambling habits.

Why focus on gaming and gambling?

Today’s generation of children and adolescents face a unique and concerning environment in relation to gambling. With smart phones and social media platforms at their fingertips, the line between gambling and entertainment has been blurred. Games are designed to be immersive, making it easy to lose track of time.

According to a Special Report by Dr. Michael Carr Greg, Child and Adolescent Psychologist, a “considerable number of teenagers are engaging in online gambling, facilitated by the industry’s normalisation of betting practices on the internet. A significant percentage of adolescents are involved in gambling activities and some experience adverse consequences, including diminished academic performance and strained relationships.”

It’s considered imperative by Dr. Michael Carr Greg that caregivers and parents have open discussions about media choices and encourage a balanced approach to screen time, promoting alternative activities for stress relief and boredom, and setting clear family rules for screen and internet use, including the establishment of spending limits for online gambling and in-game purchases. The aim is to empower children and young people to make informed and responsible decisions in the digital age.

What strategies can be used?

  • Start early – begin the conversation about gambling at an age-appropriate level. Young children can understand the concept at an early age.
  • Be a good role model – demonstrate responsible gambling behaviours and explain the importance of setting limits.
  • Educate yourself – understand the various forms of gambling the young person may be exposed to.
  • Be non-judgemental – create an open and safe environment where the young person feels comfortable to discuss their thoughts and experiences with gambling.
  • Discuss risks and consequences – talk about the potential risks and negative consequences of gambling, such as addiction and strained relationships.
  • Set boundaries – establish clear family rules about gambling, including age restrictions for engaging in different forms of gambling.
  • Teach online safety – educate the young person about the risks of online gambling, including the importance of not sharing personal information or engaging in illegal activities.
  • Monitor online activities – keep an eye on the young person’s online activities, including their gaming and gambling apps and raise any concerns.
  • Talk about advertising – discuss the influence of gambling advertising and its impact on decision making.
  • Seek help if needed – if you suspect a young person has a gambling problem, or is at risk, seek professional help from a counsellor or therapist.

Warning signs to look for

What are some of the warning signs that a young person is gaming, gambling or using technology too much? An expert – Brad Marshall, Director of the Screen and Gaming Disorder Clinic, has compiled some common red flags when it comes to teens and kids gaming and using technology.

What difference will the extension of The Dee Why Project have?

The extension of the Dee Why Project will allow The Burdekin Association to expand the reach of our work on gambling and gaming awareness to encompass the entire Northern Beaches region of Sydney. Alongside this, we’re excited to report that a Peer Education Program will be targeted at Year 11 students that will focus on gambling prevention, early intervention, and referral pathways for young people living on the Northern Beaches.

For more information on The Dee Why Project and the Parent Forum on Gaming and Gambling, click here.

Community Matters

Justene Gordon, Graham Bargwanna and Emelia Weaver of The Burdekin Association at the 2023 Annual Northern Beaches Breakfast Fundraiser

We are always saying how much our community matters to us, especially at Christmas – because we mean it. The Burdekin Association can honestly do so much, because of you.

We’d like to shout out a big thank you to the following organisations and people…

2023 Northern Beaches Annual Fundraiser Business Breakfast

Thank you to the 2023 Northern Beaches Annual Fundraiser Business Breakfast for announcing in November that The Burdekin Association is a recipient of their fundraising efforts. We are so grateful to be one of the three organisations to be a beneficiary! We received $4,000 during the fundraising event.

Addi Road Community Organisation

We are so thankful to the Addi Road Community Organisation, who once again has provided our young people with deluxe holiday hampers, as part of their ‘Hampers of Hope’ program. Last year, 66 of our young people received a hamper. They were brimming with chocolates, gifts, toys and other luxury items. Thank you so much Addi Road Community Organisation!

Palmolive ANZ

It’s amazing the difference that one donation can make! We received a donation of many bottles of lovely shampoo to give to our young people. Thank you Palmolive ANZ.

Palmolive Shampoo

Share the Dignity

Thank you to Share the Dignity. They donated some beautiful handbags filled with essential items, everyday luxury goods and handwritten notes for young women, girls and those who menstruate to feel a little bit of love and hope this Christmas.

Hillsong Church

Thank you Hillsong Church for your generous donation of hampers. Staff from our Youth Services team gratefully received them and the children and young people in our care will truly appreciate the gifts that you have so generously provided. Merry Christmas!

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Over the past five weeks, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles sought donations of gift cards for children and young people at Burdekin. We are truly grateful for the numerous gift cards that were donated – often these gifts are the only ones that a young person will receive at Christmas and the joy that it brings is immeasurable. Thank you to our community partner, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles!

Energize Health Club Belrose

Thank you, Energize Health Club Belrose, for donating some amazing Christmas presents for our young people! We are truly grateful!

Our Supporters

We couldn’t do the work that we do without our many generous supporters. We thank you and appreciate the trust that you put into us. We strive to do our very best by our young people.

The house diagram below features our supporters from the 2022/23 financial year.

We’ll be updating this post as more Christmas hampers, goodies and gifts arrive at our head office, to be distributed to the young people we support.

In the meantime, if you would like to give a gift card to a young person this Christmas, you can purchase a gift card from JB Hi-Fi, Rebel Sports, Kmart, Big W, Priceline / Sephora, EB Games, Westfields, Myer or David Jones and email it to us to at: burdekin.admin@burdekin.org.au.

Often these gifts are the only gift that a young person will receive at Christmas and the joy that it brings is immeasurable.

Our Golf Day is finally HEEEEERE!!!!

Burdekin Annual Charity Golf Day

After one of our busiest years and multiple postponements, for reasons beyond our control, our Annual Charity Golf Day is almost here!

Held in the unique and natural surroundings of Cromer Golf Club, the day brings us together as a community with the common goal of wanting to do something for vulnerable youth in our community, alleviating youth homelessness, improving transitions to adulthood and providing the skills necessary for a viable future.

The morning starts with the buzz and excitement of what’s ahead. The order of the day is meeting new people, reconnecting with friends and acquaintances, engaging with like-minded people, building relationships, meeting potential customers, sharing ideas, not to mention playing golf and possibly winning some amazing prizes!

Our true power lies in our connections within our community, which is why this event is so important to us. We are thankful to those who have stuck with us throughout the various postponements of the day. We can’t wait to see you all! And did we mention it’s a full house?

Take a look at who our sponsors and supporters are on the day and a big huge thank you to those who made it possible!

Local Artists Trail supporting youth

Local artists supporting The Burdekin Association

We are very lucky to have the support of the community. This time from the organisers of The Pittwater Artists Trail who conducted a fundraiser for our young people. A local artists trail supporting local youth.

In March the Pittwater Artists Trail group exhibition took place at Newport Community Centre. The event aimed to celebrate some of the Northern Beaches most talented artists. Exhibitors on the day are mentioned below, check them out and maybe attend future events by Pittwater Artists Trail.

Here is the list of the local artists in the trail supporting young people: @nicolawoodcockart @karenhick @romandaceramics @jancristaudo @helen_mackay_art_ @silverplus.studio @steftarasov @lauriemckern @lisabrummerart @amandafullerart @gogeorgiegirl @annespencerart @bensartworld @helendrew_art @joannagambotto @markkingstonart @artfromthebeach

Would you like to partner with us? We would love to hear from you, please contact us.

Christmas 2020 Appeal – Youth Support Fund

Family crisis support Sydney

Young people experiencing homelessness are just like us. They have aspirations for a better life. The emotional, social and practical benefits of receiving Youth Support Fund support is clearly evident.

See what the Burdekin Youth Support Fund is.

The Burdekin Association Inner West and Northern Sydney
A small donation can go a long way

Dependence becomes independence

In order for young people experiencing homelessness to gain independence and self-sufficiency, we need to focus on inclusion and challenge traditional stereotypes like: ‘why should they have (a mobile phone, new clothes, access to the internet, driving lessons) if they’re in receipt of benefits.’ Why shouldn’t they?

Who is at fault?

We shouldn’t blame children and young people for being in state care, for a lack of affordable housing, the loss of a job, family breakdown, illness, substance abuse and abuse or neglect. We should invest all our efforts into supporting them.

Exclusion becomes inclusion

Limited financial support can mean exclusion from education and employment related things like the internet, books, stationery, school clothes/uniforms, shoes, transport; from social activities like birthdays, recreation and sports classes, from health related things like eye glasses, hearing aids and assessments and the list goes on. With targeted support from the Youth Support Fund our young people set out on the right path.

Take a look at the Burdekin Youth Support Fund and see if you can donate today.

We provide youth accommodation and support in Sydney
Without access to the internet it is difficult or impossible to study, find work and stay in touch.

Inclusion works

We want to enable young people to be independent and successful, whatever that means for them, access to education and training, life and financial skills, someone to believe in them and opportunities to thrive.

  • Our outcomes for young people are significantly above the state average in areas of educational achievement, transition to independence, secure housing, increase in family contact as well as an improved mental well-being.
  • Our rates of young people entering stable accommodation, or out of the welfare system, is a complimentary 67.2% compared to the NSW state average of 24.81%.
  • Upon exiting our youth housing program 80% of clients leave the welfare system or enter stable housing.
  • Of our young people 95% are engaged in education or employment when leaving our Out Of Home Care program.
  • We have supported 3,140 young people and their families over 10 years.

‘The total cost to the Australian economy of additional health and justice services for homeless young people aged 12-24 is estimated at $747 million annually. These costs do not include additional lifetime impact of early school leaving and low engagement with employment.’

Based on current research, the estimated lifetime savings are up to 26 times the amount invested up-front in our preventative work.

We work with families and young people who are in crisis and need support
Young people can ask us for money for items that are important to them.

What we would like from you

We appreciate any help you can offer. A single donation, a regular monthly donation or workplace giving with co-workers, friends and family are all options. Take a look at the Burdekin Youth Support Fund and donate today if you can.

$1,500 pays for a fridge and washing machine for a young person in need

$2,500 pays for furniture & white goods to fit out one flat for our young people

$5,000 contributes to University fees and textbooks for one young person

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people of the Cadigal and Gayamaygal Clans. We acknowledge the Country on which we live, work, and gather as being Aboriginal land.

We acknowledge the lands, waterways and skies that are connected to Aboriginal people. We honour them and pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

We respect their rightful place within our communities, and we value their ancient cultural knowledge and practices.

Aboriginal Flag
Torres Straight Island Flag

We deeply respect that this will always be Aboriginal land and we will honour and follow the first peoples’ values in caring for the Country and for preserving their culture.

We deeply value that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the oldest living culture in the world and we will continue to work with their peoples and communities to ensure their cultures endure and remain strong.