The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation congratulates 74 young people on their graduation from the Youth Leadership Project (YLP).
Designed to equip participants with leadership skills and the confidence needed to make a positive impact in their communities, the 2024 YLP program included expert-led guest presentations, workshops and group activities.
The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF) is a nation-leading organisation that uses the power of sport to deliver life-changing programs and create impact that inspires.
YLP is part of WBCF’s broader mission to foster community development through a range of social and educational initiatives from Melbourne’s Inner West through to Ballarat and the South Australian border.
For Lucy, it was a presentation from the Country Fire Authority that opened her eyes to new career opportunities.
“There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference,” she said.
Maggie Toohey leads YLP as the Youth Development coordinator at the WB Community Foundation, in which a key part is the Social Impact project.
“Young people are so passionate about making a change in their community,” she said.
“That’s why a core focus of the program is to empower the participants to work in small groups to identify an issue that they see in their community and work to address it.”
From across Melbourne’s Inner-West, Melton, Moorabool and Ballarat, participants planned, developed and executed their projects to raise money and awareness for a variety of issues, such as mental health, and equal opportunities for women in sport.
Mental health is a concern on the minds of many young people, so one of the groups raised $1630 for Headspace by organising a raffle basket and a wear your footy colours to school day. A group based in Moorabool organised a community BBQ, to raise awareness around the need to initiate tough conversations.
Another of the small groups, motivated by their passion for creating equal opportunities for women to participate in sport, organised a "guess the lollies" competition at a Western Bulldogs AFLW home game, raising over $100 money for Women Sport Australia.
While the Social Impact project has a tangible impact on the community, it also encourages these young leaders to grow in their communication and teamwork.
“I wasn’t very social before, but week by week, my confidence kept building,” said Georgia, a graduate of the program.
Lucy has already noticed the Youth Leadership Project having a positive impact elsewhere in her life.
“It’s easier to participate in group activities at school now,” she said.
To mark the successful completion of YLP, each of the four cohorts came together one last time for separate graduation ceremonies. These events were a testament to the hard work and dedication that each young person brought to the program, and it marked the beginning of their next steps as emerging leaders.
The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation are deeply grateful for the continued support of Major Partner WorkSafe Victoria and program partners VRGF, Kings Trust and Plenary Health.
The mark of a true leader is their ability to look to the future through the lens of what’s best for the people around them and from first-hand experience, recent graduate Olivia, knows the value of YLP.
“I’d definitely encourage other young people to join. It’s not just about leadership skills - you connect with people outside your usual circles,” she said.
