Amplifying Youth Voices

Dear Y Ballarat,

We, the Youth Action and Advisory Group (YAAG), would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible opportunities that have been provided us as part of the Y. We want to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation for the amazing experiences we have been extended.

Over the course of the past year, we have been quite busy with many different initiatives that have allowed us to expand our skills including our fantastic and enriching retreat. Here we were able to participate in YACVic media, advocacy and running workshops training. Our work on the mapping and planning out the “Things No One Told You” initiative has further allowed us to develop new skills. This included creating short form content, and training for long form content in the format of a podcast. We’ve had the amazing experience of recording an episode and will continue to record more. Furthermore, the YAAG recently enjoyed the “Things No One Told You” financial literacy and pottery session. This along with the other opportunities have equipped us with invaluable skills.

Our collaboration on events like Bags of Joy, which led to the fundraising event Joypardy, where we were able to raise nearly $3,000 for Bags of Joy last year, was amazing. Working with the entire Y Ballarat Youth Team running the event showed us how to work effectively together. We are looking forward to running Joypardy again.

Grow You Good Things is another event we participated in with the Youth team. With many different activities including Kokodama and terrarium making, and art activities such as zine making and up-cycling, music and Food is Free planting was a great day. These events have fostered both our community spirit and connection.

The intersectionality and Auslan training, along with the consultation for headspace’s mental health resources, have deepened our understanding and commitment to mental health advocacy. Being able to be the experts at the consultation forum was an experience we would not have had without the Y. We have a new appreciation for the importance of communication and to stand up and support everyone as much as can.

We’ve especially enjoyed all the moments spent with various youth groups, mental health workers, and the broader Ballarat community that we’ve met and worked with along the way, including young people from pride groups, participating in safeguarding meetings bringing a young person’s voice to this area. Having the Y provide us the ability to meet such awesome, inspiring people is a real favourite aspect that we all love.

Each of these opportunities, including our YAAG member Lachie’s radio debut, has allowed us to collaborate, learn, and connect with our community in ways we never anticipated and has further enhanced our skills to continue to interact, collaborate and support our community.

These experiences have not only empowered us as individuals and given us skills we can use forever, and have also strengthened our collective voice as a group.  This has profoundly impacted our growth and development as people. We are truly grateful for the support of the Y, which has made all of this possible. Giving us the opportunity to provide our collective voice to influence programs and decisions at the Y is something that we never anticipated. 

Thank you for supporting our growth and for believing in the youth of Ballarat.We look forward to continuing this journey together.

Warm regards,

Youth Action and Advisory Group (YAAG)