We are thrilled to announce that the Youth Voice Project, a collaboration between Vincentia High School and Firefly Bay and Basin, supported by Uniting, has been selected as a finalist in two categories at the 2025 Australian Council for Student Voice (ACSV) Awards!
- Student Voice Impact Award – Youth Voice Project: A Model of Cross-Sector Collaboration Empowering Students and Driving Change — Firefly Bay and Basin
- Partnership for Change Award – The Youth Voice Project – Amplifying Student Voice — Vincentia High School
This recognition for the Youth Voice Project is not just a milestone achievement, but a celebration of the power of genuine student leadership. When young people are given the opportunity to lead, contribute, and shape their communities, the impact is transformative—not only for them but for the entire community.
About the Student Voice Conference
The 2025 Student Voice Conference will take place on Friday, 30 May and Saturday, 31 May at Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus in Geelong. This national event brings together educators, students, and community leaders to amplify student voices and share innovative practices that foster youth-led change.
We’re excited to announce that Tash and Christine will be presenting at the conference on the project, delivering a session titled: “Youth Voice: Ask, Amplify, Act – A Participatory Approach to Youth-Led Change”
Tash, Firefly’s Community Engagement Coordinator reflected, “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase the amazing work the students did in the pilot of this project and highlight the power in partnerships in community. The Youth Voice Project has proven that when young people are empowered to take action, they truly become leaders and changemakers.”
We’re also excited that Ruth Winfield, Principal of Vincentia High School, will be attending the conference with us, further highlighting the strong partnership that makes this project possible.
Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters
This national recognition would not have been possible without the strong collaboration of the following partners:
- NSW Government / Liza Butler MP
- Our incredible local community
- Firefly Bay and Basin Team
The work done through the Youth Voice Project is the result of deep community engagement and the dedication of everyone involved, especially the students who led this project in 2023 and 2024. This recognition affirms what we see every day: that young people are not just the future, they are leaders and changemakers right now.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to celebrate this achievement alongside other inspiring finalists and changemakers at the ACSV Student Voice Conference 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for this important event .