It was back to the classroom for former Dungog High School captain Jonathan Atkins last week as he engaged a number of hand-picked year 11 English students for an ABC Radio project.
Mr Atkins, who graduated in 1998 and completed a communications degree at the University of Newcastle before joining the ABC in South Australia, is now the producer of Heywire.
“It is an opportunity for 20 young kids in a country town to access a media professional who is hearing what is important for them and telling them it is important,” Mr Atkins said.
“Heywire gives them a platform to have their say and to tell their stories.
“There has been a wide range of stories coming from these students, some are very personal and moving.
“This is an opportunity to give something back to the school.
“This is a great school and Dungog was a wonderful place to grow up.”
Drama teacher Louise Rowley said the students were English extension and advanced English students from year 11.
“Having Jonathan, an ex-student here, to help these students is great,” Ms Rowley said.
“They have some wonderful stories to tell but they can be very isolated and their voices just aren’t heard.
“I have $5000 from the NSW Minerals Councils so will be using some of their stories to make a film.
“There has been some wonderful stories to come out of this room.”
Participant Amber Ruddy said Heywire was a wonderful avenue for their stories to be heard.
“Our stories are important to us, it’s a way of belonging,” she said.
“A few of us don’t think our stories are important, but they are.
“I enjoy living in a small town, it’s very close knit but the bush is close so you can also be on your own if you want to.”
Prue McDonald wrote about learning to drive.
“I live in an isolated area and there is no public transport so getting my licence is important to me so I can be independent.”
Georgia Snowdon loves her mini-sausage dog Dinky.
“He’s made my life very happy – he’s my love on legs,” she said.
“I have so much fun with him and I couldn’t imagine life without him.”
Sophie Simmons’ entry was filled with both joy and sadness.
“I wrote about my friend Katie Rumbel who died a while ago,” she said.
“There are elements of sadness in my story but there are many happy memories of the times we spent together.”
Mr Atkins said they were looking for personal insights of triumphs and challenges and ideas that will make regional Australia better for young people.
The participants can enter as many times as they like in any format, text, video, audio, photography or song.
The best 40 entrants from around Australia will get an all-expenses paid trip to the Heywire Youth Issues Forum in Canberra.
Participants will debate issues with industry and ABC mentors, brunch with politicians and attend a reception in their honour at Parliament House.
The 2011 Heywire competition closes on September 19.
For more information go to facebook.com/abcheywire or phone toll free 1800 26 26 46.
Email a friend