Leading life examples for young community leaders in Western Bulldogs Leadership Project

Western Bulldogs Leadership Project brought together participants from across the region for a speed date-style careers session in Ballaarat Mechanics Institute on Wednesday.

Many also took the chance to ask for general leadership advice, like how visiting guest may have overcome obstacles in their careers.

For Daylesford’s Lucinda Lowe, the experience has made her think more broadly about what she might like to do when she finishes high school.

“It’s been really eye-opening. It shows different opportunities that are out there and new career ideas I hadn’t thought of before,” Lucinda said. “I’m really interested in sports management and the different things you can do.”

The careers session featured representatives from teaching, community work, police, fire fighters, farming, media, hospitality and trades.

Avoca’s Francesca Howe said meeting different professionals helped to ease the pressure of deciding right now, still at school, which career path to take.

“I feel like this shows you don’t have to decide one one career for life,” Francesca said. “Once you start something, you don’t have to do it forever.”

The Bulldogs-led Leadership Project is a program for teenagers to build their confidence and leadership skills and learn from people in their own communities. 

The regional careers session drew participants from Ballarat, Ararat, Hepburn and as far as Inverleigh and Bannockburn in the Golden Plains Shire, and Eynesbury in the Moorabool Shire.

Participants have started forming community projects they can deliver to raise awareness of social issues they feel are important in their towns.

Western Bulldogs Leadership Project is part of a band of development programs the club’s community foundation delivers in Ballarat. This includes children’s literacy program Bulldogs Read and holistic health initiatives Sons of the West and Daughters of the West.

Do you want to make your voice heard? Here is your chance.