The Nazarene

Wellbeing Report

Youth Empowerment Conference

On Wednesday 21 August Nazareth College, partnering with Wooranna Park Primary School, hosted the Youth Empowerment Conference. This conference was an event run by children for children, aiming to inspire and empower young people to ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’.

The event saw over 500 primary and secondary students from the south east region come together for a day of inspirational speakers and discussions, encouraging young people to find their passions and become involved. Most speakers were young people, showing that you do not have to wait to become involved and make a difference.

Some highlights from the conference included:

  • Minister for Youth and local member Gabrielle Williams MP opened the conference, encouraging students to become involved, as young voices are important.
  • Local member Cr Maria Sampey also addressed the conference, supporting the Minister's call to become involved in opportunities.
  • Dr Amanda Caples, Victoria’s Lead Scientist, who amazed the audience with her diverse and interesting background. Dr Caples informed the conference of current scientific research and development, exciting the audience to follow their passions and dream big.

Nazareth students, past and present, engaged and inspired the audience:

  • Luke and Sarah Gonsalves speaking about their experiences building a house in Cambodia
  • Ronan Lobo and Daniel White discussing their entry and overseas trip to the International Silent Film festival
  • Emma Xerri sharing her experiences and journey to Oxford University for a writers course
  • Emma Eager discussing her animal activism activities
  • Ms Rania Aboujaber (former Nazareth student)inspiring through her MS journey
  • Bridgette Veneris (daughter of past staff Mr Steve Veneris and Ms Sharon Armstrong) inspiring through her cancer journey and winning the Young Inventor competition.

We should be so very proud of the efforts of these students! Their presentations were so professional and well presented. They were incredible!

Also involved were our musicians, Year 11 and 12 students leading the breakout discussion sessions, and our tech crew who were brilliant. All our students involved in the Conference showed the many guests the quality of the students in our community.

 

Special mention must go to the core Student Action Team members who have been working behind the scenes on this event since last November – they are Sophie Xerri, Alessia Alifano, Gabriella Brusco Malshani Hettiarachchi, Anna Proctor and Ronan Lobo.

 

The Youth Empowerment Conference truly is about inspiring children so that they can do well in their lives, reach their potential and develop self-belief and courage.

 

Ms Jakcie Kol & Ms Mirella Venturini

Wellbeing Co Directors