clubCREATE Magazine O12E4 2024 - FINAL WEB

PRIZES TO BE WON INSIDE! ENTER THE COMPETITIONS FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
clubCREATE
Magazine
YOUR RIGHTS EDITION
Inspiring Stories:
Meet Young People
in Care
Know your
rights
Competitions and
more!
Edition 4 2024

Welcome to the
clubCREATE
magazine
EDITION 4 2024
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the Your Rights Edition!
At CREATE, we’re all about making sure your voices are heard loud and clear. Recently, we asked you what
we could do better, and your feedback has been incredible. You shared some great ideas, from more
regional activities and cultural events to more inclusive programs for young people with disabilities,
neurodiversity, and LGBTQIA+ pride events. We also heard your request for more support beyond leaving
care and for leadership programs and life skills workshops.
We’re really committed to making these changes a reality. We’re excited to continue working together to
ensure CREATE meets the needs of everyone in our community. Keep an eye out for updates, including our
new Strategic Plan. Your feedback has shaped our new directions in a big way!
We’re also thrilled to announce new episodes of the Voices in Action podcast, where our South Australian
team talk with young people and sector friends about their experiences in care and how we can do better.
Finally, a big shout-out to the talented CREATE Young Consultant from NSW who created the cover art for
this edition. The artwork beautifully incorporates the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
flags and reflects a powerful cultural expression.
Enjoy the magazine, and stay connected!
Imogen
CREATE CEO a.k.a CREATE Captain
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We love your feedback!
Send suggestions into clubCREATE@create.org.au
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2 Welcome
4 In The Loop
6 Looking after your wellbeing in
the holidays
8 New Year, New Goals
10 Human Rights day!
12 Learning to Speak Up
14 Snap that Stigma
16 Competition Central
18 State Snapshot
20 Competition Winners
clubCREATE’s Editorial Policy
clubCREATE Magazine is produced by
CREATE Foundation for children and
young people in care. This magazine
contains information about CREATE
programs that create a better life for
kids in care and also has articles and
artworks by clubCREATE members.
It’s really important to us that children
and young people in care are safe and
protected and we do our utmost to
ensure their privacy. For safety
reasons state laws don’t allow the
faces of kids in care to be published
without proper permission. So please
understand that if these young
people are not reflective of the story
or blurred it is for safety and legal
reasons. All contributions to be
considered for the magazine can be
submitted by email:
clubCREATE@create.org.au
or post: Reply Paid 87694, Spring
Hill QLD 4004. If you do not want
to receive newsletter and program
information from CREATE
Foundation please email
clubCREATE@create.org.au or phone
CREATE on 1800 655 105 to have your
address removed from our mailing
list.
Acknowledgement of Country
CREATE would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first people
and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures,
identities, and continuing connection to country, waters,
kin and community.
GET SOCIAL! Facebook: /CREATEfnd Instagram: @CREATEfnd
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In the Loop
CREATE's PULSE CHECK
We asked young people and the sector how CREATE can do better, and
here’s what you shared! You told us you want more regional activities, cultural
events, fun stuff for all ages, and creative family connection events. You also
want inclusive events for young people with disabilities and neurodiversity,
LGBTQIA+ pride activities, leadership programs, and life skills workshops.
Plus, more support for leaving care and even beyond age 25! CREATE is
grateful for all your feedback and is committed to making these
improvements. Stay tuned for updates, including our new Strategic Plan!
Read more here: CREATE Pulse Survey Outcomes
GET READY FOR
WORLD CARE
DAY
World Care Day is coming up in
February, and this year’s theme is
"Celebrating Every Journey!" It’s all
about recognising the different
stories of young people in care and
celebrating everyone’s
achievements. Look out for state-run
events and competitions, and join us
as we work to #SnapThatStigma
New Episodes of
voices in action
podcast
Exciting news—new episodes of
the Voices in Action podcast have
just dropped! This time, we’re
chatting with young people and
sector friends in South Australia
as they share their stories,
experiences, and what matters
most to them. Listen where you
get all your favourite podcasts
from!
Cover art
acknowledgement
This edition’s cover art was created by a talented CREATE Young Consultant
from NSW! The artist proudly shared, “The colours I chose represent those on
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and the dot painting reflects the
traditional style of my culture.” We’re thrilled to showcase this beautiful artwork,
not only here but in the NSW CREATE office too.
4 5

Looking after your
wellbeing in the holidays
let's keep busy and
creative these holidays!
The holidays can be a tricky time for anyone, for whatever reason.
Here are some ideas, advice and words from other kids in care.
“Christmas is one of the most exciting days of
the year. But for some of us, it can be one of
the hardest. I know myself, when you’ve been
placed in out-of-home care it’s time when you
miss your loved ones the most. Even though
you’re surrounded by people that do love you,
I found that not having your mum, dad,
brothers and sisters there makes a difference.”
“Stay occupied by volunteering or
working can be great way to keep busy
and earn some money too! Socialise by
seeing family or friends, or even look for
public Christmas events near you.”
“Tell someone in your support network how you feel and they can talk through it and find
the best help for you. Just remember you are never in this alone. It’s okay to feel a bit upset,
however, if you start to feel overwhelmed or just want someone to talk to here are some
great resources to reach out to.”
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Jars!
What you need: Small jars, cocoa powder, mini
marshmallows, chocolate chips, candy canes
Instructions:
1. Layer cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and
2. marshmallows in a jar.
3. Crush a candy cane and add it on top for extra flavour.
4. Seal the jar and tie a ribbon around the top.
5. Attach a tag with instructions: “Add 2-3 tablespoons to
a cup of hot milk or water, stir, and enjoy!” These make
cosy gifts for friends and family.
If you need support:
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
24/7 support for young people aged 5-25. They also offer web chat and email
counselling at kidshelpline.com.au.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Available 24/7 for anyone in crisis or feeling overwhelmed. You can also chat
online at lifeline.org.au.
Headspace
Offers free online and phone support for young people aged 12-25. Go to
headspace.org.au for more info on support options and chat services.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Available 24/7 for mental health support. You can also access online chat and
forums at beyondblue.org.au.
Christmas Wishes
Jar Lid Photo Ornaments!
What you need: Jar lids, photos or pictures from old cards,
glue, ribbon, and paint.
Instructions: Cut a photo or image to fit inside the jar lid.
Glue the photo inside and paint or decorate the rim if you like.
Hot glue a loop of ribbon to the back for hanging. These make
sweet and personal ornaments for your tree!
Imagine you could make three Christmas wishes, but they’re not for you—they’re for others.
What would you wish for, and why? Who do you help, and what impact does it have on their
lives?
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eheadspace
Specifically for young people aged 12-25, they offer free, confidential online and
phone support. Visit headspace.org.au/eheadspace to connect.
Send in a picture of your creations to clubCREATE@create.org.au
to go into the draw to win a $50 voucher!
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New year, new
goals
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Give It Time
Some goals mean building a new habit, like
waking up 30 minutes earlier to work out.
Don’t sweat it if you slip up a bit—it takes
time for your brain to get used to new
routines. Stick with it, and you’ll get there!
Got a big dream? Want to make something awesome happen
this year? It all starts with setting some solid goals! Whether
you’re aiming to learn a new instrument, get those grades up, or
save up for your dream car, goals help you map out the steps to
make it real. Here’s how to get started!
1
Be Realistic & Specific
A clear plan works best! Try something
like, “I’m going to recycle all my plastic
bottles and cans” instead of “I’m going to
help the environment.” Specific goals are
way easier to tackle!
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Do It For YOU
Use Sortli!
Your goals should be things you actually
Sortli is a free app made by young
care about. Don’t pick goals to impress
people in care, just like you. It helps you
friends, teachers, or anyone else—this is
set, track, and crush your goals! With
all about what you want to achieve. When
Sortli, you can find resources, stay on
you’re into it, you’ll be way more motivated!
track, and get inspired. Download it and
start smashing those goals. Sortli is funded
in Queensland, South Australia, & Victoria
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with easy to find information but
ANYONE can download Sortli and use the
cool features like the goal setting – no
matter where you live.
8 9

Human Rights Day!
Know your Rights and
Speak up
Your Rights in Care in your State or Territory
On Human Rights Day, remember that your rights are there to protect you! Understanding these
rights is the first step towards ensuring you’re treated with respect and care. Celebrate your rights
and the positive changes that come from advocating for yourself and others!
Your rights in the NT
Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10th, and it reminds us that
everyone has rights that must be respected and protected. For young people in
out-of-home care, knowing your rights is super important! These rights help ensure
that you are safe and cared for.
Your rights in WA
Your rights in QLD
“Not everyone was shown
their rights in care.”
(clubCREATE
member)
“It’s okay to speak up. You can sometimes feel silenced by
the adults when growing up in care. If you feel like something
needs to be addressed, don’t feel afraid to say it. Otherwise it
will hold you back.”
(clubCREATE member)
“Your privacy can get invaded so
much in care, sometimes carers
don’t know when to back off when to
leave it alone. You don’t have to tell
them what you don’t feel comfortable
sharing. You have the right to
feel safe.”
(clubCREATE member)
Your rights include
things like:
“It was weird to show up in, like, semester
one and find out everyone knew that I no
longer lived with a certain carer or things like
that. I think it's because my teachers were
given a briefing and they told my peers to be
nice, I think. But like, I still should have been
asked whether or not that was information
that is fair to share and same goes for other
things.”
(clubCREATE member)
✅ Participation in decisions that affect your
life
✅ First Nations communities having a say on
decisions surrounding First Nations kids
✅ Being looked after physically and mentally
Your rights in SA
Your rights
in the
ACT
✅ Participation in social activities like sport or
community events
✅ Support to safely stay in touch with family
✅ Access to records and information about
yourself
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Your rights in NSW
Your rights in VIC
Your rights in
TAS
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Speak Up is one of our key empowerment programs. This is where you can become
a Young Consultant and advocate alongside CREATE. There are three levels to this
training and you’ll learn about the care system, about advocacy and how to speak
up about what’s important to you.
We sat down with clubCREATE member Joseph, who recently completed the
Speak Up training.
"Speak up in my words means if you are feeling
unsafe or not comfortable in child safety you are
not alone and they can talk to different people if
they need to.”
What made you decide to take part
in CREATE’s Speak Up Training?
"To help the CREATE Foundation and also to have
a positive impact on all of the young people and
make them feel like they are welcomed to CREATE
with open arms."
What’s one of the most important
things you learned during Speak Up
Training?
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Learning to
SPEAK UP!
"That all young people have a say in what they
want to do in care and that child safety should
treat all kids with the same amount of respect and
make sure they listen."
How did the training help you
become more confident in using
your voice?
"CREATE has helped me feel more confident
talking on stage with very large crowds of people."
Since completing the training, have
you had an opportunity to speak
up or advocate for yourself or
others? How did it feel?
"I have been able to share some of my experiences
whilst in care myself. And it made me feel like I am
not the only one in care that feels the same."
Did you make any new
connections or friendships
during the training?
"I have met a lot of different people and have
been able to socialise with other kids my age
or around the same age. The friendships have
made me and other people happy because us
kids were not alone."
What would you say to other
young people who are
thinking about joining the Speak
Up Training but are unsure if it’s
for them?
"I reckon they should come and give it a try
and see if it works for them if not they have
tried and possible gained experience for later
on in the future if they are considering working
with kids."
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SNAP THAT
STIGMA
Meet Tim, our awesome Young Consultant from the Northern Territory! Recently, he caught
up with two clubCREATE members, Ishmael and Eric, to chat about #SnapThatStigma and
the stereotypes young people face in care.
Meet Ishmael and Eric
“My name is Ishmael, and my favourite hobby is playing basketball!”
“I’m Eric, and I love playing AFL and Rugby.”
What do people often get wrong about kids in care?
Eric: “Sometimes kids in care when they go to school, they think and feel different from other kids.
They see other kids getting more things and love from their families, I think that’s why kids in care
feel different. Kids in care need more loving and care and someone to be there for them.”
How does being judged for
being in care impact your
confidence?
Eric: “School, I think school is one of the biggest places
that you get bullied, you know, people look at you
different and they bully you and stuff. It breaks your
confidence down. It made me feel sad.”
What would you like others
to know about their
experiences in care?
Ishmael: “I want people to know that, you can achieve
your goals with the support that you have in care
system, you can reach out to your case manager, your
carers, friends and family, youth programs like CREATE.”
What do you see yourself
doing in the future?
Ishmael: “I see myself playing basketball and continuing
to do the sports that I love to do to achieve more with
what I can do.”
Eric: “I haven’t set my career or goals yet, I feel like,
there’s still more pressure and I need a bit more time for
myself to figure out a lot of stuff.”
If you have a #SnapThatStigma
story to share, please email
marketing@create.org.au
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competition central
SOLVE THE RIDDLES
I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when
I’m old. I come out at Christmas and give
warmth in the cold. What am I?
I have keys but no locks. I have space but no
room. You can enter, but you can’t go
outside. What am I?
What can travel all around the world without
leaving its corner?
Are you ready to WIN?! Check out
the awesome vouchers we have
up for grabs!
Cooking Challenge
with Sortli
Looking for a fun and delicious activity to enjoy over
the holidays? Check out the Sortli app from
CREATE! Under the Life Skills section, you’ll find
a category called “I Want Recipe Ideas from Other
Young People.”
Try your hand at one of the tasty recipes listed
there, and don’t forget to snap a picture of your
finished masterpiece to share with us! If you have
a favourite recipe of your own, we’d love for you to
send it our way so we can add it to our collection.
SMILEY SURVEY
Fill in this survey to
go in the draw for
prizes
Share your story for world care day
Share your story of personal achievement—big or small—that makes you proud. This
is your chance to celebrate your unique journey and inspire others! Send in your
story for a chance to be featured and go into the draw to win some vouchers to
awesome shops! Let’s celebrate every journey together! clubCREATE@create.org.au
To enter this competition:
1. Send your entry via email to clubCREATE@create.org.au
2. Send us a message on Instagram @CREATEfnd or Facebook /CREATEfnd
3. Enter on our website at www.create.org.au/competitions
4. Post it back to us free of charge! Send to Reply Paid 87694 SPRING HILL QLD 4004
Entries close 24 January 2025. Make sure you include your name and age, and if you know it your
clubCREATE ID number. GOOD LUCK!
The vouchers will come through via Gift Pay. You can choose to spend it at the locations stipulated or you can choose
another store.
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To enter this competition:
1. Send your entry via email to clubCREATE@create.org.au
2. Send us a message on Instagram @CREATEfnd or Facebook /CREATEfnd
3. Enter on our website at www.create.org.au/competitions
4. Post it back to us free of charge! Send to Reply Paid 87694 SPRING HILL QLD 4004
Entries close 24 January 2025. Make sure you include your name and age, and if you know it your
clubCREATE ID number. GOOD LUCK!
The vouchers will come through via Gift Pay. You can choose to spend it at the locations stipulated or you can choose
another store.
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State SNAPSHOTS
SA had its VERY FIRST leaving Care Expo and it was
an awesome day! Over 50 services came together to
help young people in care get ready for independent
living. There were mini-workshops on life skills,
career tips, and health advice – plus, free pizza,
coffee, and the chance to win an iPad thanks to the
transition from care app, Sortli! Thanks to Key
Assets Australia, for helping us make this day one to
remember!
CREATE young people in WA met with
some super important people! CREATE
organised a Roundtable (this means
sitting around talking) with the Office
of the Minister for Child Protection and
the Chief Practitioner. Our Young
Consultants talked about their
experiences with health services and
suggested ideas to make things better
for everyone. Thanks to everyone for
speaking up and listening!
NSW teamed up with VIC for an adventure! They went
on an exciting trip together to Albury/Wodonga, meeting
new friends (furry ones included) and trained 19 workers
from five different organisations, so they know all about
the awesome work we do here to CREATE. Plus, we’re
excited to welcome some new Young Consultants who
will be representing Albury/Wodonga region! We’ll be
back in April 2025 for Youth Week – can’t wait to see you
all again!
Amazing young artists in QLD showed off
their creations at the QFCC Art Showcase!
The theme was “Connection with Family (or
Chosen Family),” and the artworks included
paintings, drawings, and even sculptures. Each
piece told a unique story, and it was an
absolute hit! Can’t wait to see what they create
for the next showcase (which is now open by
the way). Visit the website for more info.
The NT Youth Advisory Group (YAG) had a rap-tastic
time with Riley P! Riley taught everyone how
to rap (which stands for Rhythm and Poetry!), and
together they made an original song. They shared
beats, stories, and laughter. A big shout out to Riley
P for making it a day to remember! Stay tuned to
listen to amazing piece put together.
ResiROCKS in VIC rocked the house! CREATE set
up a stall, meeting with residential care workers
from all across the state. These connections help
us bring more fun events and programs to kids and
teens in resi care. Our very own CREATE member,
Ruby chatted to a room full of people about her
personal experiences and what needs to change.
Way to go Ruby!
Young Tasmanians got creative for Child
Protection Week! They shared their thoughts
on this year's theme, “Every conversation
matters” and turned their ideas into a
beautiful piece of art. This will be gifted to
a Child Protection Office in TAS to remind
everyone of the power of listening. Great job,
team TAS!
ACT has been busy speaking up for young people! CREATE has had
meetings with politicians and decision-makers, focusing on making sure
kids in care have a say in their own lives. The “Listen to Me” report is
getting attention, and we’re excited to keep making changes for the better!
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Want to know what events are on
near you?
Call your local state team or check out all
our events at: create.org.au/find-an-event
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YOU ROCK!
Edition 3 2024 Winners
OUR COMP WINNERS
FROM LAST MAG ARE
(DRUMROLL PLEASE!):
James
and
Sommer
CONGRATULATIONS! WE HOPE
YOU ENJOY YOUR PRIZES!
Thank you to the young people who helped put this magazine
together as part of the editorial group for this edition:
Timothy, Eric and Ishmael.
HOW TO STAY
CONNECTED WITH CREATE
CREATE Foundation Limited
National Office
Level 6, 80 George Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
Tel 1800 655 105
ABN 69 088 075 058
If you do not wish to receive
newsletters and program
information from CREATE
Foundation please email
clubCREATE@create.org.au or
phone CREATE on 1800 655 105 to
have your address removed from
the mailing list.
If you want to attend awesome events with
CREATE make sure you are a clubCREATE
member so you can automatically receive
invitations and information. Other ways to
contact CREATE:
1. Become a clubCREATE member and join up at
www.create.org.au
2. Call your local CREATE office on 1800 655 105
and talk to one of the team about what’s
3. coming up.
4. If you are already a clubCREATE member – make
sure your clubCREATE membership details are
up-to-date.
5. Visit www.create.org.au to find out more about
how we can support you.