Live4Life Southern Grampians Celebration
As spring arrives in the Southern Grampians, what better time to stage a 'Spring Carnival' celebration for our Live4Life community?
Packing out the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre on October 25th, we saw over 200 Year 8s (including students from right across the region) come together with Crew members and the wider community for some well-deserved recognition of the commitment, determination and creativity these young people have demonstrated in their schools and community.
There were plenty of interactive games and art & craft activities, and a bit of face-mask fun too. The Hamilton Spectator was there as well and put us on their front page!
The event was hosted by our superb contingent of 24 Crew members — including 12 graduating Crew members from Year 10, who have provided two AMAZING years of hard work, outstanding ideas and enthusiasm.
Local youth services Brophy Family Youth Services, Southern Grampians Shire Council and South West TAFE also attended, as well as Sandy Shaw, CEO of Newsboys Foundation. A big thank you to Sandy for her continued support of Live4Life!
Everyone was treated to an informative, hands-on talk from Guest Speaker Kate Couchman (local Youth MHFA Instructor and Director of Student Wellbeing from Monivae College). Kate spoke about her experience as a school counsellor over 15 years and highlighted some practical ways she's learned along the way for looking after your own wellbeing. She also had some great suggestions for who to speak to in your community if you have any concerns and included a practical demonstration by asking all the adults in the room who had completed the Youth MHFA training to stand up!
Live4Life CEO Bernard Galbally gave a shout out to the leadership of Western District Health Service, saying, "It's really by working together that we can make real changes, especially in rural communities."
A BIG thank you to Chloe Wilson from WDHS, who is departing from her role as Youth Engagement Officer. Chloe has given much support to the local implementation of Live4Life and we will miss her. We wish her all the best!
Celebrations are important events in the Live4Life calendar and Southern Grampians Crew really took the opportunity to shine. Congratulations everyone!
IMAGE DESCRIPTION - Jane Coshutt, Chloe Wilson, Bernard Galbally & Sandy Shaw having fun with cardboard hats, glasses, and moustache