Corangamite Shire's Year 12 Winter Ball returns in 2026, with students taking the lead to host the celebration.
After a standout debut in 2025, the ball is back in winter 2026, offering a chance for Year 12 students to celebrate their final year of secondary school alongside their peers from across the shire.
Corangamite Shire Council started the Winter Ball last year after students raised the idea of an inter-school event to connect with each other and celebrate Year 12.
A committee of Year 12s will help organise the 2026 Ball, choosing the theme, the music, and more.
Council's Youth Officer Arron Graham-Exelby said committee members didn't need event planning experience - just ideas and a willingness to get involved.
"If you've ever said 'they should play this' or 'it would be better if', this is your moment to create the kind of night you actually want to go to - from the music to the vibe and everything in between," he said.
"You'll walk into the ball knowing you had a hand in creating it, and that's what makes it special."
Arron said he looked forward to seeing what a new group of Year 12 students would create for the 2026 Winter Ball.
"Year 12 can be a tough year for students, and we want to celebrate their achievements and give them a fun night at the halfway point of the year," he said.
"We're proud to trust our young people to lead something like this and bring their ideas to life.
