Youth Summit
On 21 March 2024, around 90 young people from local secondary schools convened at Woodend Community Centre alongside Council’s Youth Services team, Councillors, Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, Woodend Rotary, headspace, and Djaara Balaki Wuku, for the 2024 Youth Summit.
The day-long summit provided an opportunity for young people in the shire to come together to have their voices heard and give valuable feedback on key issues outlined in the ELEVATE – Council's Youth Strategy 2018-2028, including:
- Public transport and isolation
- Environment and global warming
- Physical activity, art and leisure
- Mental health and wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) matters and body image
- Career and education
- School holiday program, tech space and coding
“It was the first time I had been invited to an event like this and I have enjoyed being asked about my ideas and suggestions and I feel heard.” - Gisborne Secondary College Student.
“I’ve had so much fun. My favourite key issues were mental health and also physical activity. I enjoyed sharing ideas around these topics.” - Salesian College Student.
What's next?
The Youth team are now analysing the summit findings to ensure the ideas, opinions, concerns, and aspirations raised are included in relevant future plans and actions, with Council committed to supporting ongoing engagement with children and young people.