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'Lights, Camera, Action' for South Sydney's Koori youth April 22, 2002 A SOUTH Sydney Council initiative is helping launch indigenous teenagers into television and film employment and in doing so break down social barriers. The council's Lights, Camera, Action program is targeting the wealth young people in the Indigenous community with acting talent. So far more than 100 young people have registered. The program is not only helping provide part-time employment opportunities but it is developing a visible increase in self-confidence and pride among its participants. Lights, Camera, Action identifies and registers Indigenous participants; acquires parental or guardian permission; organises personal identification and bank accounts. Professional head and shoulders photos are taken and information sheets written. Participants are even taken to their first few appointments until they feel comfortable with the process. The program has cost about $1500 but has already raised close to $5000 for a number of Aboriginal youth who have appeared in advertisements such Westpac Bank and voice overs for TV current affairs show 4 Corners. The program has been featured on national ABC and JJJ radio stations, BBC World News and the German mass daily newspaper Berliner Zeitung. The council has is also working to establish a community youth talent agency. The agency is in the final stages of development and will ensure that the 10 per cent agents fee will go straight back into community development. Indigenous actor Ernie Dingo, presenter of 7's Great Outdoors, and Debra Mailman from the Secret Life of Us have been approached to act as agency patrons. Creating an agency allows support from youth and indigenous friendly workers who can provide program participants with support all the way first interview to the shoot. "Lights, Camera, Action will help overcome the current 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' media treatment of Aboriginal Australians which has certainly contributed to the lack of awareness of Indigenous issues in the wider community," said South Sydney mayor John Fowler. "Social change doesn't just happen by itself. Somebody has to initiate it. I am very proud of our Council's work, in particular that of Cindi Petersen our Youth Officer who is continually finding imaginative ways to help young people in South Sydney."	Government News Government News April 2002 features: State & Local Government Partnerships ... LA21 ... Cleaning Up Graffiti ... Gold Coast City Council ... OUT APRIL 11 Subscribe to Government News (GeN) Join more than 10,000 local government and public sector decison-makers across Australia who read GeN, Government News, every month. Packed with news, features, product information and industry events, it is a must-read for government professionals who need to keep up to date.