On Wednesday 1 August the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) announced the inaugural YACVic Rural Youth Awards. The Awards create a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the young people leading change in rural and regional Victoria.
“We want to celebrate positive and inspiring stories of young people and youth work in rural and regional Victoria,” Leo Fieldgrass, YACVic CEO said, “YACVic is excited to lead the Victorian youth sector in celebrating the achievements of young people and youth workers in our country towns.” Mr Fieldgrass said.
YACVic is the peak body and leading policy advocate on young people’s issues in Victoria. Generous funding by the Andrews Government has allowed YACVic’s Rural initiative to expand state-wide advocacy for young people in regional communities and the rural youth sector.
“The Awards will highlight models of effective youth engagement and participation currently taking place in regional Victoria,” Mr Fieldgrass said. “They will recognise the hard working and responsive youth workers making a difference in rural communities, and celebrate the achievements and contributions to community made by some of regional Victoria’s most talented young people.”
Rural and regional communities will be given a chance to celebrate their amazing youth workers and innovative youth projects from across country Victoria.
The Awards have three categories, with prizes on offer for each category:
- Young people leading change in rural or regional Victoria.
- Youth workers making a difference in rural or regional Victoria.
- Innovative youth projects or programs in rural or regional Victoria.
Awards will be presented by special guest the Minister for Youth Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Mikakos.
Nominations for the Awards open at 9am Wednesday 1 August. Young people, youth workers and those involved in youth projects or programs in rural or regional Victoria are encouraged to nominate. An awards ceremony will be held at Queens Hall at Victoria’s State Parliament House on Wednesday 26 September from 12.30 to 2.30pm.
Further comment: rural@yacvic.org.au.
Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate for young people and the sector that supports them in Victoria.