SYDNEY: The newly-elected Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Tro Committee has declared the next two years as the 'Time for Youth' for the 120-year-old organisation, and for all the organisations that serve the Armenian-Australian community.

The 'Time for Youth' ('yeridasartaganatsman sherchan' in Armenian) will see the Tro Committee work with affiliate bodies to help attract Armenian-Australian youth into the ARF and organisations such as the Armenian Youth Federation, the Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkaine and Homenetmen.

"The Armenian-Australian youth community is the largest it has ever been but numbers of active young people in our organisations are much lower than they were in the 1970s," said ARF Tro Committee Chairman Onnig Soghomonian.

"We, the Committee, understand the reasons for this. Youth today have busier lives than they did 30 years ago but this does not mean they are less passionate Armenians. Therefore it is up to us to conform in order to meet their needs and ensure they can contribute. We are committed to doing this.

"Our organisations need younger leaders, fresher ideas and youthful energy. We strongly believe our declaration that this is the 'Time for Youth' will help lower the average member age of all Armenian-Australian organisations."

In coming weeks, the ARF Australia Tro Committee will meet with the leadership of all community organisations in order to coordinate activities.

Soghomonian added: "We will also meet with gatherings of young people across NSW and Victoria to listen to their needs and explain to them that it is time to take their passion for all things Armenian to the next level and join one of our organisations.

"We encourage families to help us by urging their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to accept our invitation and begin contributing towards the realisation of our common goals."