Photo 1: From left, Chris, Michael, Tim, Nathan, Hugh and Karan all enjoyed a game of pool whilst checking out the live bands at the Tamworth Youth Centre on Friday 19th June.

Photo 2: Local band “Romero’s” delivered the goods performing at the Youthie on Friday 19th June.

Photo 3: Goorie (on left) beat Shaquille in the final of the pool competition on Saturday 20th June, both players donned their Winter accessories for the final.

Coming up:Saturday 27th June: Pool competition at 2pm and table tennis competition at 4pm.

July School Holiday Program: The program of activities and events for the July School Holidays at the Tamworth Youth Centre is now available for viewing and downloading at our website – www.theyouthie.org.

Young people & the criminal justice system: New insights & promising responses - Mission Australia. Programs designed to divert young people from offending behaviour and entering juvenile detention can not only be more effective than putting a young person in custody but up to 50 times cheaper to run according to the community service organisation Mission Australia. Mission Australia says diversionary programs designed to keep young people from re-offending can cut rates by more than half and reduce serious offences by close to two-thirds. Mission Australia has called on state and territory governments to set targets to reduce the numbers of juveniles in detention and expand the number of successful diversionary programs. Mission Australia's spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said an upturn in the number of young people in custody, high levels of recidivism and the significant cost of locking young people up highlighted the need for alternatives to addressing offending behaviour. The full report can be viewed at www.missionaustralia.com.au.

Housing NSW Youth Scholarships 2010: applications open. Young people living in social housing, who will be studying year 11 or 12 at a NSW high school or TAFE college for the HSC or TAFE equivalent during the 2010 academic year, are encouraged to apply. Each scholarship is a one off payment of $2,000 to be used on educational related items. The funds are administered by the school or TAFE College on behalf of the student. The Housing NSW Youth Scholarship Program assists eligible young people living in social housing to complete their HSC or TAFE equivalent. Applications close 5.00pm 10 July 2009. More information can be found on the website at www.housing.nsw.gov.au.