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Beyond Borders: Breaking Down the Silos is a practical and inspiring opportunity for the youth sector and community organisations across the Great South Coast to come together, connect and collaborate.
Young people move across every part of our communities and are key to shaping our future. By breaking down silos, working collectively and making the most of shared resources and funding and opportunities, we can ensure young people in our towns have the strongest possible foot forward.
Come to learn, share, collaborate and leave with a plan for working together for our young people.
What to expect
Beyond Borders will explore how regional communities can address the siloing of services and programs for young people, bringing together workers across the Great South Coast and from a range of experience, and help build our sector's capacity and confidence to advocate for meaningful change in our communities.
With keynote speaker and Churchill Fellow, Katie Acheson, who will also deliver an interactive workshop on systems change, the conference will explore how we strengthen partnerships, align our work and learn from one another. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on local barriers, celebrate what’s working, and develop practical strategies for deeper collaboration.
Come to learn, share, connect and leave with a plan for working together for young people in your community.
Event program
Day 1 - Tuesday 9th of June
10:30 am - Registration opens
11:00 am - Welcome to Country
11:20 am - Intention Setting and Strengthening Collaberation session
11:40 am - Keynote presentation from youth sector leader and Churchill Fellow Katie Acheson
12:45 pm - Lunch and networking
1:30 pm - Youth Workers Panel: reflections from young people working in the youth sector
2:00 pm - Advocacy Workshops
3:30 pm - Afternoon tea
4:00 pm - Day 1 closes
Day 2 - Wednesday 10th of June
9:30 am - Opening of Day 2
10:00 am - Young Adult Pannel: Have You Heard? Spotlighting success stories from programs across the GSC
10:45 am - Morning tea
11:15 am - Beyond Borders: Guided table conversations about cross LGA collaboration possibilities and opportunities
12:30 pm - Lunch and networking
1:15 pm - Workshops with Katie Acheson: collective action creating systemic change
2:50 pm - Event reflections and next steps
3:00 pm - Networking opportunities with organisations across the GSC
3:30 pm - Conference closes
Who should attend?
This event is for people who work or volunteer with young people in the Great South Coast and surrounding areas, providing an opportunity to hear from regional young people, learn from experts and peers, and grow your partnerships and networks.
This two-day conference will see doors open for registration on Day 1 at 10:30 AM for a 11:00 AM start, and finish on Day 2 at 3:00 PM to support travel time for workers.
We extend our sincere thanks to Deakin Hydrogen Hub for their partnership on our conference venue.
Conference Logo designed by: Chelsea Crawley-Walsh
YACVic Rural is proud to deliver 'Beyond Borders - Breaking Down Silos' in partnership with:
Acknowledgement of Country and Cultural Safety
Beyond Borders will take place on the Land of the Gunditjmara people. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Bunjil’s lore states that those who walk on this land must care for the Country and waterways as well as for the children and young people. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Child Safety and Code of Conduct
YACVic is a child safe organisation. By attending this conference, you agree to join us in our commitment to child safety.
All participants, including attendees, speakers, staff and supervisors are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct throughout the conference.
Contact us
For further information about the conference or want to know other ways to get involved, please contact Taline Ferreira (she/her), YACVic Rural Events Officer, at TFerreira@YACVic.org.au.
Meet our Keynote Speaker
Katie Acheson (she/her) Churchill Fellow
Katie Acheson is a youth sector leader, Churchill Fellow and former CEO who has spent more than 20 years working across youth services, mental health, justice, advocacy and community systems.
She has built a career helping services work better with and for young people. Her work focuses on practical ways to break down silos, strengthen local partnerships, and make sure young people’s experiences shape the decisions that affect them.
Katie brings a mix of fun, clarity and straight-talking honesty to her work, whether it is with a group of young people or global leaders at the United Nations. She understands the reality of doing youth work in complex environments, where good people are often trying to create change across stretched services, funding pressures, distance and bureaucracy.