Leadership and Personal Development

Our Youth Advisory Group has been meeting fortnightly since 2023. Consisting of a group of 10 young people from across the shire the group has:1

  • Planned and delivered a variety of youth led events, including Unite Indigo in Yackandandah in 2023 and Unite Blak, Loud and Proud Edition in Wahgunyah in 2024 to celebrate NAIDOC week
  • Provided advice to council on strategic plans including the 2025-2029 Council Plan and Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan
  • Participated in a variety of training and capacity building workshops, including 'Delivering great workshops', 'Youth Participation 101' and training with our local CFA and DEECA. 
  • Created a community emergency preparedness resource
  • Created stalls at a variety of community events including Spring Ditch, Pride fair Day, Yack Folk Festival and more
  • Delivered community consultation at a range of youth events including the North East Skate Park Series, Makers & Milkshakes and Library After Hours, hearing the priorities of other young people in our community
group of young people

 

In 2025 we will be recruiting for new members to join this group of engaged and inspiring young people. Check back here for application details, coming soon. 

The aims of the Youth Advisory Group are:

To amplify the voices of young people in our community by:  

  • talking with young people to understand their wants and needs, and bringing this information to activities we create, such as workshops and events.  

  • checking in with young people who attend our events to find out what's working well and what could be better, then use this feedback to improve future programs.  

To ensure Indigo Shire Youth Programs:  

  • are safe and welcoming for everyone, especially First Nations and LGBTQIA+ young people, by designing programs that celebrate and respect all identities and cultures  

  • are interesting, relevant and reflect the needs of young people in our community  

 

To build skills and confidence in:  

  • Consultation: Listening to young people in our community  

  • Co-Design: Designing activities with young people  

  • Evaluation: Gather feedback about activities and suggest improvements  

  • Grant funding: what is it and  how does it work 

 

1. Overview

Our Engage Program aims to work in partnership with young people and the community to increase young people’s confidence and ability to make decisions for and with their community. It also aims to increase young people’s wellbeing, access to employment and training and mental health services.

The program responds dynamically to young people’s needs, as expressed through recent youth specific consultations.

2. Youth Ambassadors Program

Group of young people seated in circle

Our annual Youth Ambassadors program brings together students who are passionate about creating positive change in their local community.

In 2022, twenty-two Year 5 young leaders, representing Wahgunyah PS, St Mary's Rutherglen PS, Middle Indigo PS, Osbornes Flat PS, Wooragee PS, Chiltern PS, Yackandandah PS, Beechworth PS, Beechworth Montessori, Rutherglen PS and St. Joseph’s Beechworth PS, joined this 6-week program held in Yackandandah, Chiltern and Beechworth to work on communication, values, mental health, asset mapping, project management and public speaking. 

The group of ambassadors was given the opportunity to become the youth voice representing their community, gain skills and mentoring in leadership and have a say about the future of their community becoming agents of positive change. 

Sessions were a combination of leadership, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, as well as weekly guest speakers. The program concluded with participants presenting to Indigo Shire Mayor, Deputy mayor, three Councillors and members of the community on each of the areas covered. 

The program also included a fundraising component in which the ambassadors of each school organised an activity to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts. This year's program ran for 4.5 hours each Tuesday from 11 October to 22 November. 

This program will be part of our 2023 Engage! grant work plan. Watch this space for 2023 dates and details. 

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