Melanie Poole and Elizabeth Shaw were in Tennant Creek as part of an Australian-wide consultation tour to gather opinions and concerns from young people throughout the country.

The two plan to take their gleanings all the way to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

After running workshops with students from Grades 10 through to 12, Melanie and Elizabeth reported that the biggest issue for Tennant Creek youth is the lack of suitable activities.

“They all want something to do, somewhere to go,” Elizabeth said.

“We’ve had similar discussions with other young people from all every remote area we’ve travelled to so far.

Melanie said the youth also expressed concern about the proposed nuclear waste dump and the NT Intervention.

“The students had a lot to say about the Intervention. They said it was really unfair and was causing problems for their families, tarring everyone with the same brush.”

On a positive note, the students told Melanie and Elizabeth they really enjoyed living in Tennant Creek because it was a close-knit community.

“Many of them said it was a very supportive place, friendly and helpful,” Melanie said.

Melanie and Elizabeth will spend two months at the United Nations during which time they will deliver an address to the General Assembly.