2011 Census Media Release: Census urges youth to OWN IT (Media Release), 2011

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      2011 Census News Release


Census urges youth to OWN IT!

7 April, 2011
CO/11

Australia’s youth are being urged to OWN IT! when the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts the centenary Census, on Tuesday 9 August, 2011.

At the launch of National Youth Week on Saturday 2 April, young, talented Australian musicians had the opportunity to wow the crowd on the Census OWN IT! stage at Birrarung Marr in Melbourne.

More than 1,500 Melbourne youth made their way to the launch of the annual week-long event, highlighted by performances from The Vines, Jebediah and Tim & Jean.

Victorian Census Director, Sam Thomas says the event kick started a great week for Australia’s next generation.

“This year’s theme for National Youth Week is OWN IT! and this is what the Census is all about," Mr Thomas says.

“Just as the artists on the Census OWN IT! stage gave us a snapshot of their musical talent, the Census will give Australia a snapshot of where we are now and where we are going as a nation.”

The under representation among men and women aged 18-34 has grown each Census since 1996.

“Supporting events like National Youth Week is a positive way for us to spread the message about the importance of the Census, and encourage Australia’s young people to participate," Mr Thomas adds.

Australian Youth Forum Steering Committee Chair, Tahlia Azaria, says that many young people fail to recognise the importance of completing the Census.

“The Census is the most effective way for decision makers to find out who we are as a generation,” Ms Azaria says.

The ABS is encouraging Gen Y to OWN IT! and shed some light on Census night on Tuesday 9 August, 2011. For more information check out www.abs.gov.au/census