By NATALIE GALLENTI
AN upcoming community forum will target young adults and their families in a bid to prevent gambling before it becomes a problem.
Melton City Council will host the forum as part of this year’s Responsible Gambling Awareness Week in May.
The event is aimed at young people and their families in Melton and will feature guest speakers from Gamblers Help Western, Isis Primary Care, Health West Partnership and Gamblers Anonymous.
“I urge all residents who gamble to heed the over-riding message of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, which is to take a balanced approach and stay in control,” Mayor Kathy Majdlik said.
“What is a recreational and social activity for most is unfortunately a serious issue for a number of people within our community. Problem gambling can have a devastating impact on families so I implore everyone in our community not to let gambling take over their lives.”
In the lead-up to the event Years 7 and 8 students have been invited to participate in a competition by creating a piece of art which will be exhibited at the Caroline Springs Library during the week. The theme for the art competition is: ‘A community without problem gambling looks like…’.
The winning entry will be printed on postcards which will be distributed throughout the Melton area.
Cr Majdlik said the art project was a great way of connecting with young people and encouraging them to discuss the issue of problem gambling with their families.
The forum will be held at Caroline Springs Library on Friday, 24 May from 3.45 till 5.15pm.
