clubCREATE Magazine O12E1 - FINAL WEB

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clubCREATE
NEABY goes to
Parliament
Magazine
Fresh Year. Real Voices.
Creating Change.
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Hamper worth
over $100
Edition 1 2026

Welcome to the
clubCREATE
magazine
EDITION 1 2026
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Hi clubCREATE crew!
Welcome to Edition 1 of clubCREATE Magazine for 2026!
This edition is all about real voices and how speaking up can create change - in care, in
community, and in your own life.
Inside these pages, you’ll see what it looks like when young people are listened to and taken
seriously. You’ll learn about IDAHOBIT, a day that reminds us that everyone deserves to feel safe,
respected, and free to be themselves. You’ll hear honest feedback from young people about what
care settings need to do better, especially when it comes to feeling seen, affirmed, and supported.
You’ll also read about ways young people are turning their experiences into action. Programs like
Speak Up are helping young people build confidence, back themselves, and share their ideas with
the people who make decisions.
At CREATE, we believe young people are the experts in their own lives. This magazine is a space for
your stories, your opinions, and your power. Whether you’re ready to speak up loudly or you’re still
finding your words, you belong here.
Here’s to a fresh year and to young people
leading the way!
Imogen
CEO, CREATE Foundation
Your voice
matters
survey!
5
10
2 Welcome
4 ln the Loop
6 Speak Up. Stand Up. Be Proud
8 Got Something to Say
10 NEABY Takes on Canberra!
12 Competition Central
16 Snap That Stigma!
18 CREATE's Highlight Reel
20 You Rock Spot
We love your feedback!
Send suggestions into clubCREATE@create.org.au
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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3

In the loop World Care Day 2026
Voices in Action 2026
OUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.
?Darwin Convention Centre, Larrakia Land
? Thursday 1 – Friday 2 October 2026
Big news! Voices in Action is officially locked in for
October 2026, and this year it’s all about young people leading the way.
This conference puts you right at the centre. Not just as speakers, but as co-designers,
facilitators and leaders. We’ll be sharing updates along the way that spotlight young
people speaking up, being heard, and leading change.
? Voices in Action
World Care Day 2026 was a huge success and this year’s
theme, Breaking Barriers, really hit home.
Across the country, young people, carers, CREATE staff,
sector partners, and communities came together to
challenge stigma and celebrate your strengths. From
smashing stigma balloons to sharing stories online, young
people showed how incredible they are.
Walking Together:
Reconciliation in Progress
CREATE is continuing our Reconciliation journey, and recently we
were invited on a cultural tour in Far North Queensland by Kuku
Yalanji Elders and Traditional Owners, where CREATE was gifted a
special Message Stick on Country.
Created by Kuku Yalanji artist and CREATE friend Karleen, and gifted
in the presence of Community Elder Aunty Lizzie, the artwork
represents family, relationships, community and travel.
The Message Stick is designed to travel across the country, visiting
CREATE teams and milestone events, connecting our people, our
work and our vision, and reflecting our commitment to cultural
safety, respect and reconciliation.
Its journey begins with the QLD team, before travelling to the NT in
2026, where it will be part of Voices in Action on Larrakia Country in
Darwin. This is one meaningful step as CREATE continues developing
our Reconciliation Action Plan, and there’s lots more to come.
4 5

Speak Up.
Be You.
Stand Proud.
Your Rights
You deserve to be safe. You deserve respect. And you deserve to be you.
• Feel safe – physically and emotionally
• Be respected – by carers, workers, teachers and other young people
• Be yourself – including your gender identity, sexuality, culture and beliefs
• Have your voice heard – especially in decisions that affect your life
What is IDAHOBIT?
IDAHOBIT stands for the International
Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia,
Interphobia and Transphobia and it’s on
17 May. IDAHOBIT is about calling out
discrimination, standing up to bullying,
and making sure everyone feels safe to
be themselves - at school, in care, online,
and in the community.
What CREATE wants?
Gender diverse children and young
people said they don’t feel heard,
affirmed and safe in care settings. Young
people also said there is a need to use
gender affirming language, and for carers
and other adults to be friendly and
approachable and to build trust and
rapport.
“What’s safest is saying hey I
know this is a tricky subject
(identity), but what do you go by
at the moment is it ok for me to
call you by this name or should I
call you by another name.”
“I felt judgement from child
safety and family.’’
Everyone deserves care environments
that are safe, supportive and affirming.
That’s why CREATE advocates for
inclusive service models – so systems,
workers and carers understand and
respect every young person’s identity.
If something doesn’t feel right, you have the right to speak up and ask for support.
Kids Helpline
? 1800 55 1800
? kidshelpline.com.au
(24/7 phone and webchat, ages
5–25)
QLife
?1800 184 527
? qlife.org.au
(LGBTIQA+ peer support, 3pm–
midnight)
6 7

Got Something
to Say?
Check out these CREATE Young Consultants across
Australia who have shared their stories in the media,
calling out what needs to change, and helping adults
understand life in care from a young person’s point of
view.
Ever had a thought like “Adults making these decisions don’t really
get what it’s like”?
That’s where Speak Up comes in.
Speak Up is a CREATE program for young people with a care experience. It’s not about
changing who you are - it’s about backing yourself, building confidence, and learning how
to use your voice in ways that matter.
It runs over three interactive sessions. No lectures. No pressure. Just real conversations with
other young people who get it.
After you finish the program, you can become a CREATE Young Consultant.
That means you can:
• Share your opinions with the people who run the care system and other related systems
• Help train workers and carers
• Help CREATE run events for other young people
• Represent CREATE at big events, forums and sometimes even on the radio or in the news.
QLD Young Consultant,
Jordyn, speaks about
conditions of children held
in a Cairns watchhouse in
The Courier Mail
IMAGE
IMAGE
NSW Young Consultant,
Lachlan talks about his
experience in emergency
accommodation in NSW and
how it’s ‘not suitable’ for
children in ABC News
NT Young Consultant, Eric
chats about teenagers in
residential care turning 18
and how that can be a
confusing and scary time in
ABC News
IMAGE
8
Reach out to your local team to chat
about the next Speak Up Session!
9

NEABY TAKES
ON CANBERRA
YOUNG PEOPLE LEADING CHANGE AT THE
HIGHEST LEVELS.
At the end of 2025, something pretty powerful happened in Canberra.
CREATE’s National Experience to Action Board (Youth) — also known as NEABY —
headed to Parliament House in Canberra to share their ideas directly with senior
government leaders. And trust us… they made an impact.
NEABY is CREATE’s national youth leadership and governance group, made up of bold,
passionate young people with lived experience of out-of-home care from every state
and territory. Their role? To help guide CREATE’s advocacy, policy positions and
strategic directions, making sure decisions are shaped by the people who know the
system best.
While in Canberra, NEABY met with leaders including Tanya Plibersek, Minister for
Social Services, and Michael Lye, Secretary of the Department of Social Services. And
NEABY didn’t just tell their stories — they also shared real solutions to real problems.
PASSPORT TO SUCCESS:
A BIG IDEA FOR THE
FUTURE
One of NEABY’s standout ideas is the Passport to
Success, a national support package to make leaving
care fairer, safer and more achievable.
NEABY believes that when young people leave care,
they shouldn’t be starting from behind. Their call
includes:
• Guaranteed housing
• Priority access to disability, health and mental
health supports
• Free tertiary education with HECS fees waived
• Direct pathways into graduate employment
• Automatic access to all identity documents
It’s about young people and the solid foundations they
deserve to build independent, successful lives.
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Competition
Central
Have you spotted the
cheeky Easter bunny
hiding in these pages?
Take another look and count how many times you can
find it! The correct answers will be entered into a draw
for a chance to win a delicious Easter chocolate
hamper worth around $100!
Happy hunting! Once you’ve got your
answer, email the number to
clubCREATE@create.org.au
Design the next
CREATE merch
We’re handing the design power to YOU. CREATE is inviting young people to help
design our next official merch drop — and your idea could be worn by young people, staff
and supporters across Australia.
What can you design?
Choose one (or more!):
• T-shirt
• Hoodie
• Tote bag
• Sticker pack
• Cap or beanie
What should it say or
show?
Your design could:
• Break a stereotype
• Show strength or resilience
• Celebrate identity
• Share a powerful message
• Be bold, funny, proud or quiet
How to enter
You can submit:
• A drawing or sketch (photo is fine)
• Digital artwork
• A slogan or phrase
• A short explanation of your idea (optional)
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All competitions in the mag: Entries Close 2nd may 2026.
To enter any of these challenges/competitions:
1. Send your answers/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
The vouchers will come through via Gift Pay so you can spend it at over 100 different retailers!
No design skills needed.
Big ideas matter more than perfect artwork.
The winning Merch will receive $100 GiftPay
Voucher to use at your fav store.
13

Snap That Stigma
with Chey-Anne!
My name’s Chey-Anne, and I grew up in foster care with my twin sister, Tori.
Together, we moved through 16 homes and 8 schools before finally finding
stability. I’m 26 now, working as a Correctional Officer and a Detention Services
Officer, two challenging roles that also remind me how far I’ve come.
On stigma and
assumptions
There’s a lot of judgement around being in care. People assume you’re “trouble” or
“broken” before they even know your story. I was once labelled “difficult”, when really, I
was just hurt and trying to be understood.
Even as an adult, those stereotypes don’t disappear. Sometimes people make comments
like: “Better hide your wallet” or “Be careful, she might steal it.”
I’ve never stolen anything in my life, but those words stick. They show how unfair and
deep stereotypes run.
14
Overcoming stigma
I overcame stigma by owning my story. For
years, I tried to hide it. But when I stopped
being ashamed and started sharing it, the
stigma lost its power. I used negativity as
motivation to do everything I was told I
couldn’t.
What needs to change
If I could change three things about the care
system, they’d be:
• Better emotional support – not just until
18, but until someone is truly stable.
Therapy and check-ins shouldn’t only
happen after a crisis.
• Trauma education for carers – carers need
real training on PTSD, anxiety, anger, and
attachment issues. Kids often get labelled
“difficult” when they’re actually struggling.
• Focus on homes, not just beds – healing
takes emotional safety, care, and being
seen. Kids need carers who listen, not just
meet minimum standards.
Thanks so much for sharing your
story Chey-Anne! If you would like
to tell the clubCREATE community
how you are smashing
stereotypes email:
marketing@create.org.au
15

CREATE’s big highlight reel
South Australia
Guided by Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna
Artist Brooke Rigney, our clubCREATE
members explored culture, self and
community through art.
Victoria
CREATE had an end-of-year
celebration for our Youth Expert
Advisory Group (YEAG) at Holey
Moley to thank everyone for their
awesome ideas, big efforts, and
hard work!
New South Wales
Strikes, games, and Christmas
treats! Our CREATE NSW
Connection crew wrapped up the
year with bowling, Timezone fun,
and these very yummy Christmas
cupcakes.
Office fun on the last day! Ending
the year the best way - together,
laughing, and not taking ourselves
too seriously.
Northern
Territory
Important conversations and
good food. Young people
met with senior leaders to
advocate for better after-care
supports, ending the night
with full bellies at a seafood
buffet.
There was plenty of laughs, teamwork,
and friendly competition at our YAG,
ending in mini golf!
16
Want to know what events are on
near you?
Call your local state team or check out all
our events at: create.org.au/events 17
17

Western
Australia
Gus with Hon. Jessica
Stojkovski MLA, WA Minister for
Child Protection, at the 2025
Signs of Safety Conference. Our
moorditj Young Consultants
took the stage, interviewed
attendees, and helped keep the
vibes high all day long!
Queensland
Soaking up the fun at Wet’n’Wild! Our
end-of-year Connection Event was all
about laughs, water slides and
celebrating a big year together.
Christmas Connection at Adventure
World! Over 120 clubCREATE members
came along for a super fun day
enjoying the pools, roller coasters,
and Christmas pressies together.
Tasmania
So much fun at our end of year
Tasmania Connection Event at
Bonorong that this roo came over
to say hello! Lots of smiles,
animals, BBQs, and a visit from
the Big Guy in Red.
Australian
Capital
Territory
Would you go
down this giant
slide? Our ACT
young people
braved the drop
at our Questacon
Christmas Party!
Gus dropped by to surprise
our young people with
special Christmas gifts,
generously donated by The
Book Warehouse.
We always do a fun activity after
our CREATE Your Future
Workshops. This time it was
young people versus CREATE
staff in a go karting race!
18
Want to know what events are on
near you?
Call your local state team or check out all
our events at: create.org.au/events 19

YOU ROCK!
Edition 4 2025 Winners
OUR COMP WINNERS FROM LAST MAG ARE
(DRUMROLL PLEASE!):
Kahlieisha
Glen
Azalea
Caleb
Nevaeh
Azariah
Dominic
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
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.