There is much to be excited about in the City of Greater Geelong’s youth development space.
We’ve recently celebrated the annual Geelong Youth Awards at a gala award ceremony at Geelong West Town Hall.
The awards celebrate and promote the incredible work, stories and achievements of the region’s youth aged between 12 and 25.
This year, 89 young people were nominated across 10 categories in the areas of leadership, cultural awareness, community work, sport, arts, music, and youth development.
I was honoured to speak at the event, and I was inspired to see many young people stepping up to make significant contributions to our community.
From arranging support groups for their peers to promoting inclusion and cultural awareness or fundraising in their communities, the passion of our young people is contagious.
With their contributions, our region certainly has a bright future ahead, and I am sure our category winners’ stories will inspire other young people in the Geelong community.
Each of the winners received a personal trophy and a $500 contribution to support their ongoing interests and education.
You can find more information on the awards and the winners at geelongaustralia.com.au/youthawards
Meanwhile, another of the City’s youth development programs, Youth on Board, has been nominated for a local government award.
The LGPro Awards for Excellence promote and celebrate the outstanding work being delivered by individuals and teams working in local government in Victoria.
The Youth on Board program has been devised by the city’s Youth Development team to contribute to a unified approach to the youth sector between the state and local governments.
It also aligns with the recently released Victorian Youth Strategy, which aims for an increased number of young people on boards.
The innovative program recruits young people aged between 18 and 25 and coaches in them in board management.
They are then trained in governance, matched with a mentor, and supported to be placed on the boards of management in local organisations.
Our young people are the leaders of tomorrow, so it’s vitally important that we have an authentic youth voice in the planning and decision-making of local organisations.
Their fresh perspectives will challenge the status quo and will allow organisations to broaden their appeal and create new consumers.
Finally, expressions of interest are open for the inaugural Geelong Youth Advisory Board (GYAB).
The program will allow young people to make valuable contributions to help shape the future of our region.
The program is open to those aged between 12 and 25 who would like to have an opportunity to raise issues affecting them and their peers.
The work of the GYAB will also inform the work of our Youth Council and help shape youth activities and events in Geelong.
The Geelong Youth Advisory Board will meet bi-monthly and be an important forum for our region’s youth to influence decisions and actions relating to themselves and their communities.
If you are interested in connecting with other youth in the region and having your voices heard, please see our website for more information yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/GYAB
