Hobsons Bay students have showcased their plans for a cleaner and more inclusive city as part of a new local youth leadership program, the Hobsons Bay Youth Change Makers Challenge.
Students from youth action groups from four local high schools – Williamstown High, Bayside College, Altona College and Laverton P-12 – presented their projects at the Hobsons Bay Youth Change Makers Challenge forum at the Civic Centre on October 27.
The program, funded through an 'Engage!' grant from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, is run by Hobsons Bay Youth Services and focuses on youth empowerment, leadership, project management and teamwork.
The forum heard about the projects each youth action group delivered, including:
Williamstown High: Hosted a Kahoot activity to educate students and celebrate the cultural diversity of Hobsons Bay and their own school. They also developed a lesson plan about cultural awareness which was run in all 11 Year 10 homegroup classes.
Bayside College (Altona North): Ran a 'clean up the school' day, after identifying education was needed about the appropriate disposal of waste and rubbish within the school. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean space for all students. As an incentive to get involved, they awarded prizes to classes that collected the most rubbish.
Altona College: Ran a 'clean up the school' day after identifying students needed educating on the appropriate way to dispose of waste and rubbish. They hoped the students would then take that knowledge to their homes and continue to care for the environment both within and outside of the school. Students who were proactive and collected rubbish "off their own backs" outside the arranged clean up the school day were rewarded.
Laverton College: Organised a breakfast club after identifying some young people were coming to school hungry as a result of not eating breakfast, which affected their ability to concentrate during class due to low energy. They also wanted to address student disengagement by creating a space where they could engage socially. The breakfast club had 65 students attend.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Peter Hemphill, said the projects the students had come up with were inspiring.
"The ideas that have come out of this program show what a caring and compassionate group of young people we have here in Hobsons Bay," Cr Hemphill said.
"Whether it's caring for other people or for the environment around us, these sorts of ideas are just the sort of thinking that will make our city a better place.
"It's always great to see young people showing great leadership by raising awareness and influencing change. It can start within your own circle, whether that's your school or local community, but it can have far-reaching effects.
"I really urge young people to think about joining the program in the future. It will run again in 2023 and 2024 and it will be a great opportunity for them to develop their leadership skills."
Photo caption: Hobsons Bay Mayor, Cr Peter Hemphill (centre), and chief executive Aaron van Egmond (back row, right) with teachers and students from Williamstown High, Bayside College (Altona North), Altona College and Laverton College at the Youth Change Makers event in the Council Chamber.
