Hello happy campers! Council supports youth mental health through Borderline partnership

2 March 2022

Southern Downs Regional Council has thrown its support behind youth mental health with a new in-kind partnership with Borderline Australia in 2022.

Dedicated to changing the lives of teenagers through youth mental health education and programs, the not-for-profit organisation offers free youth camps which will now be hosted at Fred Rogers Camp at Storm King Dam, thanks to the new arrangement.

Southern Downs Councillor Cynthia McDonald was proud to support the initiative, saying Borderline Australia’s camps extended a valuable and supportive lifeline to the younger generation.

“While we continue to demonstrate our resilience in tackling the pandemic and its moving parts, good mental health is important for healthy teenage development, strong relationships and resilience, and supporting our younger generation has never been more critical,” Councillor McDonald said.

“Borderline Australia is a progressive grass-roots community organisation offering social connection activities and it’s wonderful to see some inspiring young leaders at its helm addressing the issues impacting teenagers today.

“Time and time again, I hear from the younger members of our community that there is not enough for them to do and the Borderline Australia Youth Camps strike the right chord with this demographic as they are fun, relevant, real and relatable.

“Fred Rogers Camp is a wonderful outdoor resource and by making the site available to Borderline Australia, Council is helping an excellent community focused organisation with the certainty to provide youth camps for years to come.

“I am proud to be part of a Council that recognises the importance of supporting our youth and the dynamic organisations that champion their cause.”

Borderline Australia Youth Camps accommodate between 50 and 60 teenagers at each meet depending on available funding. Council’s in-kind support covering accommodation site costs will allow the organisation to channel more funds into other aspects of the camping experience.

For more information on attending a Borderline Australia Youth Camp visit https://www.facebook.com/borderlinecamp/.