Young Leaders 2011
30.05.2011
Last month, 36 year 10 students from throughout Maroondah took part in Council’s annual Young Leaders Program which is coordinated by our Youth Services Team.
The five day, interactive personal development program aims to empower young people to participate more confidently and effectively in their school and community by assisting them to develop and refine their skill and knowledge in regards to:
- leadership
- communication
- participation
- group dynamics
- decision making
- public speaking
- assertiveness
- conflict resolution.
The following schools nominated students to attend the program: Ringwood Secondary College, Heathmont College, Norwood Secondary College, Aquinas College, Parkwood Secondary College, Luther College, Maroondah Secondary College, Tintern Girls Grammar, Croydon Secondary College and Southwood Boys Grammar.
Here is what some of the participants said when they were asked what they got out of the program:
- A lot!
- confidence and communication skills
- I became a better leader
- made heaps of new friends and learnt lots of new stuff
- I learnt more about myself, i got better leadership skills and i am now more confident with talking to new people
- New friends, confidence in more areas of leadership
- I learnt many different skills and had a great time
- I got the confidence to voice my opinions and ideas in a positive way
- the ability to overcome my fear of public speaking
- a lot more confidence in my leadership abilities and being able to work in a group
- making friends & good life skills
- more confidence about being a leader
- I got my self esteem back and feel confident
The Young Leaders presented their new skills at a Presentation Evening to Family, Friends, Teachers and Local Government Councillors, here is some of the feedback they got about the night:
- Reassurance that there are young people who want to learn about leadership and who obviously gained from it.
- I can see all the youth have increased confidence
- More information about what the local government and the programs they offer to young people
- Good to see community work that makes a real difference
- it’s great to see this type of program in the current way of hectic life
- love to see young people taking on a challenge and stepping out of their comfort zone
- some amazing young people growing in confidence
- Young people transforming into young leaders
- What a fabulous program and mentors being offered to our teenagers
- Just how much the program has meant to young people & how valuable it was
- I was impressed by the courage and achievement of the group
- A great initiative for all concerned
- I want to attend the program when i’m older because it looked great
- Watching how much the young people were enjoying themselves
- It was great to see the young people being so positive
- This program was very worthwhile it was thrilling to see that they all had such a great week
- It was great to see them teaching our young people valuable life skills
- The reassurance that there are still wonderful young people coming through in our community and the young people supporting them through this program
- A better understanding of the inner workings of EV’s youth centre
- A great sense of community and pride in our youth
- A future for the youth of Australia
- A son that is confident, happy and a future leader
For more information about the Young Leaders program check out the Young Leaders page.