Vincentia High School – Thursday 7 August 2025 

Today is International Youth Day, and we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible changemaker work of the Youth Voice students at Vincentia High School. This global day celebrates the power of young people to create inclusive spaces, spark community change, and shape a better future. Last Thursday, we saw that in action. 

The Performance Space was alive with nervous excitement as eleven students from Years 8 to 10 prepared to pitch their big ideas to a room of 30 community leaders, councillors, school staff, and local organisations. Public speaking is daunting for most adults, and for these students, it was a leap into the unknown, but one they embraced with courage and creativity. 

The event began with a powerful moment: Riley delivering a Welcome to Country in Dhurga. It was a proud, significant opening that set a respectful tone for the afternoon. From there, our MC, Oscar, kept the room engaged with his humour and “Dad Jokes,” drawing smiles and laughter. Then came an atmospheric start to the pitches, with Baxter on electric guitar and Ace on lights —a bold, creative choice that instantly impressed the audience. 

The Pitches 

Four groups took the stage, each presenting a youth-led project they had developed: 

• Squids on Show – Creating performing and backstage opportunities for young people. 
• FADIC – Developing a free and safe activity centre for teens to gather. 
• L1Give – Providing students in need with free items so they can succeed at school. 
• Project Skate – Working with the community to advocate for the redevelopment of the Sussex Inlet Skate Park.

Some groups kept their slides simple, others went more in-depth, but all spoke with thought, passion, and purpose. 

Student Voices 

For many, this was their first time presenting to such a large group of adults. Afterwards, students reflected on the experience: 

“I didn’t think I could do it, but now I feel proud.” 

“It went by so quickly! The feedback we got at afternoon tea made me feel like my ideas really mattered.” 

The Audience Reaction 

The community response was overwhelmingly positive: 

“The passion and proactivity of young people pitching these projects was so inspiring to see. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.” 

“I was inspired by the honesty, creativity, and courage of these students.” 

Many guests commented that they’d assumed the presenters were much older, impressed by the maturity, research, and originality of their ideas. 

Gratitude 

A big thank you to Mr Langford for assisting with the setup of the Performance Space, to Mr Hill, who worked with Riley on the Welcome to Country, and Vincentia High School for allowing us to work alongside these outstanding students. Also, thank you to everyone who attended to hear their pitches and show support. 

What’s Next 

We’re only halfway through our Youth Voice journey, and the most exciting stage is still ahead. Over the coming months, these students will take their bold ideas out of the classroom and into the community, learning how to plan, problem-solve, and bring real change to life. 

Opportunities like this matter. They provide young people with a safe space to express themselves, grow in confidence, and discover that their voices can make a meaningful difference. 

We’d love for you to walk alongside them. Join our mailing list and be part of their journey. You’ll get updates on their progress, behind-the-scenes moments, and invitations to celebrate their milestones. 

Stay tuned, the next chapter is just beginning, and we can’t wait to show you what these young changemakers achieve next.