A Live4Life Glenelg celebration

Media Release from Glenelg Shire Published 14 November 2023.

On Friday 27 October, more than 225 secondary school students from across the Glenelg Shire were on hand in Portland for Live4Life Glenelg’s annual celebration event.

Year 8 students and Crew from the four secondary colleges in the Glenelg Shire – Heywood District Secondary College, Casterton Secondary College, Portland Secondary College and Bayview College – came together to recognise youth mental health and to celebrate another great year for the Live4Life initiative.

The event included Crew-led speeches at the Portland Drill Hall before walking down to the Portland Foreshore for Crew-led activities, promoting positive mental health and the importance of social connection. Lunch on the day was provided by the Rotary Club of Portland, Admellas Fruit ‘n’ Veg, Upper Cut Butchers, and Bakers Delight Portland.

Glenelg Shire Council Youth Development Officer Jesse Beavis said the event was a great way to capture all the amazing successes achieved this year by our 2023 Crew.

“Glenelg Crew have been able to achieve many things this year, with a variety of events and activities right across the shire, raising money and awareness for Youth Mental Health,” she said.

“We saw immense growth of crew members, not only as mental health ambassadors but in their individual skills and confidence too.”

“Year 8 students across the four high schools also completed their Teen Mental Health First Aid Training, gaining knowledge about their mental health, ensuring they are well-informed moving into their adolescence.”

Youth Live4Life is the only mental health education and youth suicide prevention model explicitly designed for rural and regional communities.

It was first launched in 2017, since it’s implementation, more than 233 young people have participated as crew members and more than 1,900 young people and 305 adults have received mental health training.

The initiative currently has twelve non-for-profit community partners and one major sponsor, Portland Aluminum.

Glenelg Shire Council acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government for this program as part of statewide Engage! Activities.

Photo caption: Live4Life Glenelg 2023 Crew from all four secondary schools in the Shire were on hand for a day to celebration another great year of the initiative.