President’s Report

Learning for Life

The Y Ballarat Community Impact Report 2024/2025

RETURN TO REPORT

President's Report
Peter Harrison

Report for the Y Ballarat

It is my great pleasure to introduce our Community Impact Report for 2024-2025.

First and foremost, I would like to recognise the incredible staff and volunteers whose dedication ensures our organisation continues to provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive programs and services across our communities. The reach and impact of the Y is only possible because of the teams working on the ground every day, and I extend my deepest gratitude for their commitment.

We are also grateful for the ongoing support of our stakeholders and partners. Their contributions through grants, donations, and collaboration allow us to deliver on our mission and extend our reach and impact. Together, we continue to create opportunities that strengthen community connection and improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

This past year has seen exciting growth across several areas:

  • Kindergartens
    • Y Kinders continue to expand with Dorrington Child and Family Hub opening in February 2025 in partnership with the City of Monash.
    • In addition, the introduction of the Pre-Prep program in Ararat has been a success, with all six services now offering 30 hours of kindergarten each week to more than 150 children in the community.
    • 6 Kinder refurbishments have created additional capacity for enrolments and modernized the facilities at East Ivanhoe Preschool, Lucas Kindergarten, Ashwood Memorial Kindergarten, Dover St Preschool, Red Cliffs and Ward Avenue Kindergartens.
  • Outside School Hours Care: Our programs continue to grow in influence and impact, supported by strong partnerships with local schools.
  • Our Long Day Care offerings continue to provide pivotal community impact in rural areas including within the Buloke Shire and at our Mirboo North Early Learning Centre.
  • Our flagship Y Learn and Swim centre continues to establish itself within the community, with increased kindergarten, long day care and swim school enrolments through 2025.

Our Board and Leadership came together during the year to review the progress of our strategic plan “Towards Vision 2030” and formulate the final year of this 4-year plan. This process guided the development of our business plan for the year ahead, ensuring we remain responsive to external trends and sector directions while keeping our mission at the centre of our work.

I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Y’s Men’s Club, who chose to unincorporate this year. Their decades of contribution—through fundraising, program support, and community events—have left a lasting legacy at the Y.

Director Acknowledgements

I also wish to recognise the dedication of our Board of Directors. Your commitment and expertise, given generously in a voluntary capacity, underpin the strength of our governance and ensure we continue to provide safe, educational, and inclusive environments for children and young people.

This year, we farewell and thank three valued Directors:

Colin Thompson, former President and long-serving Director, whose leadership guided the merger of YMCA Ararat and YMCA Ballarat, and whose steady presence has been vital through times of growth and challenge. We wish Colin the very best in his future endeavors.

Donna Ludvigsen, Director since 2019, whose contribution has been significant, particularly in her role as Safeguarding Sponsor and in sharing her knowledge and expertise from the education sector. Donna has been a voice of reason, for children and staff, ensuring the board deliver on its safeguarding commitment. We also can’t fail to recognise Donna’s efforts during our Board and Leadership strategy day in 2024, creating the “YMCA BassBell” strategy submarine, heading on an underwater strategy adventure.

Daniel Wilson, joining the board in late 2024, has supported the Board with his skills and knowledge in Risk and Governance in his short tenure. We thank you for the time you have spent with our Board.

On behalf of the Board, I extend my sincere thanks to all who contribute to the Y—our staff, volunteers, partners, and community. Together, we continue to create safe, inclusive, and positive spaces where children and young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

Congratulations and thank you.

Report for Y Ballarat Youth Services Inc

Financial Year ’25 has been a year of continued impact for Y Ballarat Youth Services with our education programs continuing to grow in profile and reputation:

  • Our Jump Start automotive education program continues to be a popular engagement program, showcasing a different learning pathway and we are seeing increasing levels engagement to further study and learning through a connection to Federation University Automotive courses, and through employment partners.
  • Our ReCranked in Schools’ program is seeing booking requests surge, with our team stretching their travel to accommodate schools from outside of Ballarat.

The Youth team has also created meaningful connection events for young people seeking platforms to express themselves or connect with peers – our annual Youth Art Exhibition continuing to see an increase level of engagement from aspiring artists, with an incredible display of artwork showing the Y how young people in the community are feeling in today’s society.

Our annual Pride in Schools event demonstrated our continued impact and support our Ballarat’s LGBTQIA+ community, connecting school staff and students together to create stronger support networks and solidarity to ensure each and every participant feels a sense of belonging in our community.

Behind all of this impact, is our incredible staff and I would like to recognise dedication and passion of the team that ensures our organisation continues to provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive programs and our community.

We are also grateful for the ongoing support of our stakeholders and partners. Their contributions through grants, donations, and collaboration allow us to deliver on our mission and expand our reach. Together, we continue to create opportunities that strengthen community connection and improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

Again, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the departing Directors –

Colin Thompson, Donna Ludvigsen and Daniel Wilson. On behalf of the Youth Services Board, I extend my sincere thanks to all who contribute to the Y—our staff, volunteers, partners, and community. Together, we continue to create safe, inclusive, and positive spaces where children and young people can learn, grow, and thrive. 

Congratulations and thank you for an incredible year, and we look forward to an inspirational Financial Year ’26.