Leadership opportunities

A trip to Sydney for some lucky Year 10 Leaders

The Magic Moments Leadership Camp in Sydney offers an incredible opportunity for students to develop essential leadership skills through engaging workshops and activities. We were fortunate to send four students to this transformative experience, thanks to the generous support of the Community Bank in Buninyong. Erica Jones, Isabelle Strawhorn, Lana Wilson and Jenna Archibald were the lucky representatives who applied and were successful in being able to attend the Sydney experience. Attached below are some reflections from the students. 

Isabelle Strawhorn

On Saturday 29th June, 4 of us braved the early morning to get on a plane to Sydney where we embarked on a 5-day leadership and business camp. This camp was amazing. We learnt new things, met amazing people, did some really fun activities and listened to some inspirational speakers. I would have to say that this is one of the best things that I have done in my life. 

Throughout camp we listened to many speakers. These included Marlon Smith, Heather Yelland, Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, Matt Searle, Wil Massara, Lexy McDonald and Dale White. These speakers were very inspirational and spoke to us about many different things from mental health and how we view the world, to what we should be eating to stay healthy, oh yeah and even how to run a business! 

The activities were so fun, especially the ones that happened at night. Night one, we wrote the thing that we don’t like about ourselves on a piece of wood and then we had to go and break that piece of wood in half to show that we are better than those thoughts. On night two, we started working on business pitches based on a topic that teens face in this current world. On night three, we had a candle lighting ceremony where we were shown that one light can pass onto another person and then that person’s light can be passed onto the next person until everyone’s light is shining bright. 

On day three, we participated in the team Olympics where every team was trying to earn as many points as possible by doing a series of activities. Unfortunately, my team did not win. On our final night we had a disco, and it was one of the most fun times, it was so awesome seeing everybody dancing like nobody was watching. The last day was by far the best, it was the day where we all reflected on the amazing time we had just had over the past 5 days. It was very emotional having to leave the people that we now view as a second family, but it was all worth it. 

Arriving back in Melbourne was very good knowing that I could go and sleep in my own bed. My one take away from camp was how I view the world as Heather said, “you have two options, either look at the world through poop glasses or look through the world through love glasses''. I now look at the world through love glasses. I highly recommend Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit to everyone aged 14 – 17.

Erica Jones

I enjoyed the Magic Moments Leadership Camp. Not only was the energy electric, but all the people from the other leaders, speakers and helpers to make Magic Moments possible, were amazing. 

We always started the day by dancing as a group and listening to fun music. Then we learnt about everything from creating and running our own businesses to healthy habits to overcoming grief and talking about dark places in our past which was very emotional.  We had a fun session with all females and the males had the same, it was a very empowering and eye-opening session. On the last night, we had a dance party with the whole team and it was so much fun. The last day was the worst because no one wanted to leave but it was an experience I will never forget. 

Lana Wilson 

One thing that stood out was Marlin’s quote. He was one of many inspiring speakers.

“There is greatness within you.” - Marlin Smith

Well done to the students on an incredible, life changing experience. 

Sarah Mackenzie

Student Leadership Coordinator