Our Engage Program aims to work in partnership with young people and the community to increase young people’s confidence and ability to make decisions for and with their community. It also aims to increase young people’s wellbeing, access to employment and training and mental health services.
The program responds dynamically to young people’s needs, as expressed through recent youth specific consultations.
Our annual Youth Ambassadors program brings together students who are passionate about creating positive change in their local community.
In 2022, twenty-two Year 5 young leaders, representing Wahgunyah PS, St Mary's Rutherglen PS, Middle Indigo PS, Osbornes Flat PS, Wooragee PS, Chiltern PS, Yackandandah PS, Beechworth PS, Beechworth Montessori, Rutherglen PS and St. Joseph’s Beechworth PS, joined this 6-week program held in Yackandandah, Chiltern and Beechworth to work on communication, values, mental health, asset mapping, project management and public speaking.
The group of ambassadors was given the opportunity to become the youth voice representing their community, gain skills and mentoring in leadership and have a say about the future of their community becoming agents of positive change.
Sessions were a combination of leadership, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, as well as weekly guest speakers. The program concluded with participants presenting to Indigo Shire Mayor, Deputy mayor, three Councillors and members of the community on each of the areas covered.
The program also included a fundraising component in which the ambassadors of each school organised an activity to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts. This year's program ran for 4.5 hours each Tuesday from 11 October to 22 November.
This program will be part of our 2023 Engage! grant work plan. Watch this space for 2023 dates and details.