But it is the young people’s eagerness to address these issues that inspire adults like Mr O’Connell.
Someone else inspired by their contributions is youth engagement office with Headspace Larelle Kuczer, who said it was “incredibly powerful” to watch a young person in action.
“Often young people are not given the credit they deserve for their ideas,” she said.
“People don’t seem to think young people have a lot to add. But they are incredibly connected to the world.
“Young people are mindful … they are so socially aware of the plight of people around them and the world.”
As an example, Ms Kuczer said it was young people who came up with the idea to include an online self-referral form on the Headspace website.
She said the online self referral form, which was the first to go live in Australia, now makes up 40 per cent of referrals.
“They are very in touch with things that are the real issues.”
Ms Kuczer said many people who don’t regularly have any involvement with young people are often the first ones to pass judgment.
She said the ability for a young person to feel included, which is sometimes something neglected by adults, has positive outcomes for everyone.
“I think it’s about self development and them feeling like they have been listened to.
“Young people want to make a difference and contribute.”
While statistics for youth unemployment, which shows Ballarat is sitting six per cent higher than other regional cities, are concerning, other issues Ballarat youths face include bullying, high drug and alcohol use, and homelessness.
These are areas of disadvantage likely to impact on young people, but the city’s young people are not sitting back and watching.
According to the city’s youth workers, they’re doing all they can to make the city a better place.
As part of National Youth Week, which celebrates the contributions of young Australians between 12–25, Headspace Ballarat’s Youth Reference Group have created the Our Youth Our Community media campaign to celebrate the work of the city’s youths.
Ms Kuzcer said the campaign was designed to recognise the work, no matter how big or small, young people were doing in the community.
“Let’s see if we can get young people recognised and remind people there are great young people out there,” she said.
“(National Youth Week) is a week we can reflect and celebrate what young people do and broaden people’s perspectives of young people.”
During National Youth Week (April 8-17) The Courier will publish a series of profiles of the city’s youths to celebrate the extraordinary things they are doing.
The first series of profiles will be published on Monday.
