pt_issue 1 - City of Greater Geelong

3
We are the Youth Future Crew and we meet fortnightly to discuss health issues for young
people in our region. We really wanted a way to get the message out to all the young crew
Y
around Geelong and here it is!
F Each issue we will give you youth health updates and more!
This newsletter C is written by us for you guys so if you have any ideas or suggestions on health
please email them through to:
youthfuturecrew@gpageelong.com.au Or you can add us on myspace at
www.myspace.com/youthfuturecrew
Seeing A Doctor
Most doctors are very busy so
you most likely need to make
an appointment. When you see
the doctor the visit will likely
run between 10-15 minutes.
If you require a longer visit or
have lots of problems ask for a
longer appointment when you
book in. Be sure to call and
cancel if you cant make your
appointment
Confidentiality
Your information is safe with
your doctor and protected
by privacy laws The doctor
will discuss with you anytime
they feel they need to pass on
information to another person
or they may need to act in
cases where they think you
are in danger. Eg. Subjected to
child abuse
Newsletter
Going to Doctors
How do Doctors
Help?
Doctors help with all types
of problems including if you
need help or advice about;
feeling down or upset, drugs
and alcohol, not sleeping well,
relationships, S.T.I.s (sexually
transmitted infections),
contraception, other sexual
health issues, or if you
are being hurt or sexually
assaulted. Doctor may refer
you to another health worker
or youth/social worker but only
with your consent.
Medicare
Where the doctor bulk bills,
instead of having to pay just
show your Medicare card and
no payment is needed. If you
don’t have a Medicare card
ask the receptionist to ring
the Provider Hotline for your
Medicare number. If you do
pay, keep the receipt and go to
a Medicare office and get some
re-fund. You can get your own
Medicare card as soon as you
turn 15.
Choose a Doctor
Who
Y
F
C
Supports your healthcare decisions
and doesn’t pressure
you. Seeks your permission
before examining you or
asking personal questions Is
kind, understanding and reassuring.
Will be non judgmental
and treat you with respect.
Where can you find
a Doctor?
To find a doctor in Geelong look
under ‘Medical Practitioners’
in the yellow pages Or for
youth specific doctors ring
Clockwork Young People’s
Health Service on 52226690 or
Jigsaw Young Persons Health
Service on 52792754 and make
an appointment or just drop in!
Discrimination
The
Discrimination Discrimination
toward
Local
Street
Kids
Written By Georgia Zwilling
environment of Geelong’s youth is particularly
stereotypical and over-all hypocritical. The adolescent
community has been separated by generalised groups or
cliques based around clothing and individual interests.
A particular group which can be bought to attention is
that of the ‘goths’ or ‘town rats’ of Geelong. This group is
primarily found loitering around Little Malop Street with
the ‘intention to offend’. This group have received cruel
insults that have ranged from ‘goth pigs’ to ‘reckless
hoons’.
In this situation the actions and behaviour of very few
individuals wearing the colour black has singed the
reputations of others. Understandably, in all groups or
cliques there are either one or numerous people who
will not conform. In relation to this, mistreatment and
judgemental allegations should not be used simply
against one group in the Geelong’s area. In many cases
the term ‘kids will be kids’ should appropriately be used.
The brutal accusations which are frequently made by
victimising individuals in society has created a deceptive
classification of this group and its members. This has
not only affected the people but has increased the
discriminative treatment they receive from both the
community and the authorities.
The ‘reasons’ or ‘motives’ for this group, or any group
for that matter, to be meeting and simply socialising in
a public place should not be questioned or immediately
criticized.
Particularly, intolerable disrespect has been shown
by the local areas shopping centre’s security guards.
On one instance the group were informed that they
are “banned from the public area and if not removed,
the police will be called.” Accusations against their
individual characters were made as well as threats
relating to “further action”.
Why do these adolescents deserve to be continually
persecuted? More importantly, what makes them a
greater target than other groups who ‘hang’ in the same
area? They have the same rights as any other individual
in Geelong’s region. Regardless of this, there are
numerous people who prefer to judge and undermine
rather than accept and tolerate. Misinterpretations of
their intention to gather in this particular area should
be over-looked before making a pre-judgement or
discriminative threat.
All individuals in this group are unique and should be
treated like any other person, in spite of what clothing
they choose to wear. The colour of clothing that a person
wears should not justify an individual’s personality or
alter their rights when compared to others.
4