Last Thursday, over 80 Year 8 and 9 students from Ararat College, Marian College, and Lake Bolac P-12 came together at Ararat's Gordon Street Recreation Reserve for two big days of innovation, creativity, and community impact.
Over the two days, students collaborated in teams to develop "crazy good ideas," founded on the issues that matter to them most.
Student groups then built early prototypes and pitched their concepts to a panel of local partners, which included Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong, as well as representatives from AME Systems, Central Grampians LLEN, Greater Ararat Business Network, Acacia Caravan Park, East Grampians Health Service (EGHS), Ararat Neighbourhood House, Gason, Elders Finance and Bakers Delight Ararat.
Delivered by Crazy Ideas College (CIC) in partnership with Ararat Rural City Council, the Social Innovators program is a key initiative of CIC's Ararat Youth Activators (AYA), a bold initiative designed to equip the municipality's young people with creative problem-solving and crucial leadership skills to shape the future of the region.
Entering its third year, CIC's programs aim to ensure that student ideas are valued, bolstered by real partnerships, and woven into a broader vision for youth-powered civic and economic transformation.
Throughout the school year, CIC will continue to offer programs for Ararat's high school students, nurturing their problem-solving skills, originality, and social responsibility as they become our community's future changemakers.
"Witnessing the incredible innovation and passion from our young people is truly inspiring," says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong.
"The ideas they presented weren't only creative, they were also very well considered, demonstrating a genuine understanding of community issues. We're incredibly proud to support the Social Innovators program and the wider Ararat Youth Activators initiative. Together, they empower our young people to become genuine leaders and help shape the future of Ararat Rural City."
