Empowering our Youth: Highlights from the Wingecarribee Youth Forum
Published on 19 June 2024
On Tuesday, we hosted the 2024 Wingecarribee Youth Forum, bringing together young minds from across the region to shape our community's future. Held at the Council's Theatrette from 9 am to 2 pm, the forum was facilitated by The ASE Group, an organisation led by young professionals dedicated to empowering youth through workshops and summits.
"The Wingecarribee Youth Forum was a unique event that provided secondary students with a platform to express their ideas and experiences, contributing to the development of our next Youth Action Plan," said Corinne Buxton, Coordinator of Community Development at Wingecarribee Shire Council.
The forum commenced with an opening address by Lisa Miscamble, General Manager of Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC). Attendees were also inspired by speeches from Kate Munro, CEO of Youth Action, and Mackenzie Isedale, Wingecarribee's Young Citizen of the Year. Their words set the tone for a day focused on leadership, advocacy, and social change. Mackenzie shared her inspiring journey of finding her passion and advocating for the change you want to see.
Participants engaged in various workshops designed to enhance their leadership skills and foster creative thinking. These sessions covered:
- Networking Skills
- Identifying Leadership Qualities
- Pitch Writing and Public Speaking
- Ideation and Innovation
Following the workshops, students had the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of local leaders, including Patrick Nellestein River Road Academy, Leila Varga ASE Group, Kate Munro Youth Action, and Kathryn Baget-Juleff, Council's Manager Community Life and Libraries. Students presented innovative ideas for local events and initiatives aimed at creating a youth friendly shire and ways to enhance youth engagement.
"The insights and ideas gathered throughout the day will play a crucial role in shaping Wingecarribee’s new Youth Strategy, 'NextGen Wingecarribee'," Corinne emphasised. "This event marks the beginning of the strategy's development, ensuring that the voices of young people are at the forefront."
In conjunction with the forum, we launched the Youth Survey, inviting all young people in the community to share their views on the most pressing issues they face in Wingecarribee Shire. The survey is open until Friday, 2 August 2024. Participate and make your voice heard by visiting the NextGen Wingecarribee Youth Action Plan.
A big thank you to The ASE Group for facilitating the forum and to Kate Munro for her inspiring talk on youth advocacy. The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the participants were truly remarkable.