The State Government is celebrating young people and youth workers who have made a difference in rural and regional Victoria, including The Hangout Swifts Creek and Omeo District.
Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman last week presented seven awards at the 2024 Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) Rural Youth Awards, recognising young people from across rural and regional Victoria who have helped to shape their communities.
The YACVic Rural Youth Awards are held once every two years and recognise young people and youth workers for their achievements and contributions in creating positive change in rural and regional Victoria.
Recipients of the 2024 YACVic Rural Youth Awards are:
– Outstanding youth project promoting diversity and inclusion: The Hangout Swifts Creek and Omeo District
– Young person leading change: Lana Pagram and Layla Sheedy, Ocean Mind Inc., Greater Geelong
– Youth Worker making a difference: Adam Walsh, Junction Support Services
– Outstanding youth participation in mental health and wellbeing: Isabella Gilliam, headspace Geelong
– Outstanding youth participation in community-based disaster resilience: The Resilient Alpine Youth Squad, Bright
– Young people producing outstanding content: Gippsland Youth Advisory Group, Centre for Multicultural Youth
– Young peer worker of the year: Zoe Tizard, headspace and Geelong Head to Health
“I’m so pleased to celebrate the contributions these young people and youth workers have made in rural and regional Victoria. Congratulations to the winners, finalists and nominees for their contributions to their communities and our state,” Minister Suleyman said.
The State Government has a long history of working with YACVic, to support its mission to elevate the voices of young people and build the capacity of the Victorian youth sector.