Ballarat youth score hat-trick at Council award ceremony

BALLARAT, VIC – Ballarat’s Youth Empowerment Program team has been recognised thrice-over for its its efforts towards social transformation in the community at the annual City of Ballarat Youth Awards. 

Held annually since 2005, the awards celebrate the positive contributions young people make across the Ballarat community. 

The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) was nominated in the Group Project category and was recognised for building “a stronger, more connected and vibrant community through reflection, learning, consultation and meaningful action”. 

Over the past year alone, the youth have led projects addressing food insecurity, homelessness and education, including community breakfasts, fundraising initiatives, school garden projects, moral education classes, and a free tutoring program.  

“By planning and delivering these initiatives, young people have developed leadership skills while creating positive and lasting outcomes for individuals and families across the community. Through their commitment to service, YEP participants are demonstrating the power of young people to drive meaningful change,” the award hosts said. 

Ballarat youth and member of the YEP Lara Khosh received an award at the ceremony under the Positive Leader category. 

Lara was recognised for her regular volunteering with the YEP, helping deliver community breakfasts, clean-up projects, food accessibility programs and educational workshops that support vulnerable members of the community.  

“She has also played a key role in establishing a free tutoring program at the Ballarat Library, helping younger students build confidence and skills in maths, english and music. Her dedication to community service has created positive outcomes for people of all ages.”

YEP facilitator Dellaram Vreeland also walked away with the Influential Adult – Volunteer award for her work accompanying youth along their path of service. 

Ceremony hosts read that “as animator of the Delacombe Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, Dellaram meets with youth weekly and has supported the group in facilitating community dinners, tree-planting, moral education classes, and fundraisers for the Soup Bus and Uniting. Recently, Dellaram has assisted a cohort of young people to deliver regular free tutoring at the Ballarat Library.” 

Dellaram said it was an honour to support the youth as they reflected, planned and acted together, in unity, to contribute to the betterment of their community. 

She said the recognitions reflected the tireless work of many individuals in the community who had put in years and years of love, dedication and support into these community-building efforts. 

“It’s a privilege to walk alongside our young people as they find their role in service and to observe an inner transformation and the broader transformation that comes as a result of them building the capacities and qualities to contribute to society.”

The Baha’i community leads social action efforts in a diversity of settings. The aim of these efforts is to promote the social and material well-being of people of all walks of life, whatever their beliefs or background. Such efforts are motivated by the desire to serve humanity and contribute to constructive social change. 

This year’s awards theme was Making Ripples, Making Waves and reflected the positive influence young people have in their schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and communities, and how their efforts inspire meaningful and lasting change. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves congratulated all nominees and winners on their achievements. 

“It is inspiring to see so many young people stepping up, supporting others and pursuing their passions while creating positive change around them,” she said.