As the new year begins, we’re excited to share some incredible opportunities and projects planned for 2025. Whether you’re a student, parent, or community member, there’s something to inspire and engage everyone. Let’s kick off 2025 together with these exciting initiatives!
Youth Voice 2025
A fresh wave of Vincentia High students has been chosen for our Youth Voice 2025 program. These young changemakers are gearing up to make a difference in their community through innovative projects and impactful advocacy. Stay tuned as they embark on this exciting journey to create meaningful change.
Youth Advisory Group
This group will be at the heart of our youth engagement efforts, providing invaluable insights and guidance to ensure our projects reflect the needs and aspirations of young people in our area. Their work will help shape the future of our initiatives and amplify youth voices in decision-making.
Youth Voice Jr Report
Launching early in 2025, this report will provide actionable recommendations for fostering leadership and engagement among primary school students across the Bay and Basin area. The insights will inform our strategies for fostering leadership and engagement among younger students, laying the groundwork for future youth-led projects.
Community Listening
Community listening played a pivotal role in shaping the Firefly project in the Bay and Basin in 2018 and 2019. Since then, our community has grown and evolved, and it’s time to revisit this essential practice. We will conduct new listening sessions to understand current community needs and aspirations. This process will ensure our work remains relevant and impactful.
Curious and Creative
Our partnership with BCR Communities and Vincentia High School will continue in 2025. The Curious and Creative program provides an alternative education pathway, empowering students through hands-on, creative learning experiences. We’re thrilled to build on this initiative’s success and support young people as they explore their potential.
Youth Engagement Projects
In February, Firefly is teaming up with Youth Insearch to help Vincentia High School celebrate Brighter Day. This is set to be a fun event with crafts, workshops and a mental health market. Firefly is hosting a Youth Week event in April at Sanctuary Point Skate Park. This will be run with Shoalhaven City Council and other local youth organisations. If your organisation is interested in being part of either event, please get in touch with us at info@fireflybayandbasin.com
Meet the Team
As we step into 2025, we’re thrilled to introduce some changes and new faces in our team:
Liz Stack: Liz will step up as the Acting Community Impact Strategy Lead for the Firefly Projects (Firefly Bay and Basin and Becoming U). She will split her time between this role and her position as Community Engagement Coordinator for Firefly Bay and Basin.
Tash Busbridge: Tash has returned from maternity leave and will work part-time as a Community Engagement Coordinator. She will support Firefly Bay and Basin and as the lead for lead the Community Voice and Youth Advisory Group initiatives. She will also contribute to national and cross-site strategic communication efforts.
Kate McBride: Kate officially joined the team in December 2024 as Firefly’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist. She will assist the team on all projects.
Christine McInerney-Percy: Christine continues her role as Community Connector and will take on greater responsibilities with Youth Voice.
Kasey Henshaw: Kasey continues her impactful work as a Youth Connector, now taking on a greater role in the Curious and Creative program. Alongside her Firefly responsibilities, she has also started a two-day-a-week role at Vincentia High School. Congratulations, Kasey!
Maiki-Jane Blackeney: Maiki-Jane joins the team on a contract basis as Community Engagement Officer, supporting the team two days a week.
Get Involved
These programs and projects are just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be an inspiring year. We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to participate, support, or learn more.
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Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!