Home
Welcome
Hey, you've found our page!
This is where you can find all the information about the Upper Murray Youth Working Group (UMYWG), check out what we're up to, and what's planned for the future.
We'd love for you to hit that + follow button up top as this will keep you informed when youth events, activities, groups, or meetings are happening - and it's the quickest way to to become a member!
Please explore the site and interact where you can! This is an evolving space so hopefully you'll notice new things popping up here and there as we settle into our new online presence.
If you're a member of the UMYWG it's great to see you here. This is our site and that means we want to make it work for us, so if you have ideas to improve or add to the page, don't hesitate to get in touch!
-Peace out groovers
Chat
Projects

Projects
The Youthspace is a multi-functional space with a large living area, wifi, kitchen, and various options for entertainment such as tv, video games, pool table, card games and board games. The only thing was that from a pedestrian's view the Youthspace was just another white walled office building with very little curb appeal. So in mid-late 2021, and with the help of some creative and inspired young people, the mural project was born, and has continued to grow ever since.
Living and growing up in the Upper Murray means that we are always surrounded by nature's beauty, but the destruction caused by the 2019-20 bushfires became a real eye-opener for many. As a result the Upper Murray Youth Working Group decided that they wanted to learn more about the relationship between natural disasters and climate change, as well as ways they can be more sustainable in everyday life and create a positive future.
What started in 2021 as an 'easy little project' to work on in between lockdowns has become much more! We have done plenty of research and experimentation into what it actually takes to pull together a full publication. Moving forward we are trying to create a supportive network of young photographers, journalists, and creatives who are willing to try new things in our community, and tell their story.
Our story
Origin of the high def chicken

You may be wondering why the UMYWG logo is a chicken head... well here's the tale that crept its way into all our hearts.
As the red glow in the sky got brighter, and the hot flames started creeping over Mt Mittamatite, it soon became clear that the bushfire wouldn't be going away. Local residents were forced to decide whether they should stay or go; to help protect their community, or get to safety while there was still the opportunity to do so.
People with animals were also faced with the impossible decision to either take or leave them to fend for themselves. In most cases people managed to bring their cats or dogs with them, however in a rural town there's always more animals than this, and it was people's backyard chooks who pulled the short straw in the end.
Our tale in particular focusses on a small chook shed on the outskirts of town, home to about 5 hens. There were no true witnesses to this next part of the story, yet the miraculousness has no other explaination. By this time the fire had blazed through the paddocks that separate Corryong and the mountain, and soon was licking the sides of the chicken house. It would seem that all was surely lost for the poor girls who were currently trapped inside, yet as the flames raged from every angle, their plastic water barrel suddenly gave way - flooding the pen and extinguishing the blaze! The chickens were discovered shortly after covered in ash, charcoal and smoke, but alive.
Chickens aren't often used as a symbol of resilience or survival, generally because the term has become associated with being scared or unwilling to try things. But after hearing this story at one of the first UMYWG meetings, the group decided to embrace the chicken head logo with full force, as it seemed to represent us more than any traditional symbol of survival ever could.
As for 'high def', well that's another story... (let me give you a hint; it's better than 'low res')
And a big thank you to Hannigan our local artist for designing and refining our logo!
Gallery
Gallery
Members
Meet the crew
Errol Obran
CNC Youth Worker
Adele Miles
CNC Youth Worker
Hannigan Heycox
CNC Youth Artist
Abigail Davis
Makayla Ardley
Paige Heinjus
Ethan Learmonth
Beau Humphrey
Beau Morley
Lane Klipple
Riley Bloom
Darby Whitehead
Rachel Paton
Quinn Obran
Eden Cook
Hayley Drew
Jamie Byrne
Chaise Heinjus
Tom Hewatt
Feedback
Quick Poll
What type of activity would you likely attend?
Tell us what you're into...
We want to run events and activities that you're actually interested in - but we don't know what's cool or not unless you let us know! (max 140 characters).
5 September, 2022
Klein says:
Meditation classes/acting classes/reading group (theres a group like this in melbourne, “Read The Room” thats cool)
1 September, 2022
Emmatt says:
Dungeons & Dragons, Wood working, Video Games
Help
Helpful links
Mental health services
Links to different mental health services for young people.
Youth advocacy
Organisations and committees who assist young people wanting to make a change.