Echuca Moama Beacon Foundation hosted its first major event of the 2023 school year earlier this month.
The leadership development day at Echuca’s TAFE campus brought together students from the five participating schools — Echuca College, Moama Anglican Grammar, St Joseph’s College, River City Christian College and Twin Rivers Specialist School.
Program events are made available to the students through partnerships developede by the Echuca Moama Beacon Foundation in conjunction with local businesses and community groups.
Echuca Moama Beacon Foundation project manager Catherine Elms said the leadership development day was a significant one on the calendar.
“There’s great energy in the room with the start of a new year,” Ms Elms said.
“We’ve got 23 student leaders in that Year 9 and Year 10 age group.
“The leadership day is that first chance for the students to come together and meet one another for the first time.
“It kicks off the organising of the 2023 Beacon events as a group of leaders.”
A major goal of the Echuca Moama Beacon Foundation is to assist young people to develop an independent will to achieve personal success for themselves, especially in the areas of further education and employment, and their community.
Ms Elms said each school undertook a selection process for students to take part in the program, which has a proud tradition in the twin towns stretching back more than two decades.
“The Beacon Foundation started in Tasmania in 1988, but the first year in Echuca-Moama was 2002,” she said.
“The five schools went through the selection process either late last year or earlier this year after the students put their hand up to be involved.
“The program runs for the totality of the year.
“It is about helping to develop the skills for young leaders to inspire their peers and be great ambassadors, not just for Beacon, but also their community.”
Among the areas covered by the program are public speaking, leadership, teamwork, networking with the community and businesses.
“It is about learning to step outside your comfort zone,” Ms Elms said.
“We hold interview technique sessions and mock interviews for all Year 9 and 10 students with community leaders and businesspeople interviewing, which helps prepare the students for the future.
“The leaders are also heavily involved in organising events and learning what it means to be a leader.”
Two teenagers who form part of the 2023 cohort are Moama Anglican Grammar’s Sarah Duffey and Echuca College’s Riley Wilkinson.
Year 9 student Sarah spoke about why she wanted to be part of the program.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to build on my skills which will stand in me in good stead for the future,” she said.
“I would like to become an obstetrician and am working hard on that goal.
“It is a chance to work with other people your own age, meet and talk with adults in formal settings.”
Fellow Year 9 student Riley has also got his eyes on what lays ahead down the track.
“A few mates told me they were part of the program and really enjoyed it, so I thought why not give it a go?” he said.
“I’m keen to set myself up for a good future.
“My goal is to work in politics, where I think I will be able to make a difference.
“I want to take every opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience in a number of areas.”