Magic Moments Youth Leadership Summit 

On a cold, wet, and windy morning—the first Saturday of the school holidays—a dedicated group of students gathered at Woodmans Hill Secondary College at 4:30am, ready to begin their Magic Moments journey. Despite the early hour and tough weather, their excitement and commitment set the tone for what would be a truly transformative experience. 

Four of our students—London, Maddi, Amelia and Nixen—were successful in securing scholarships to attend the Magic Moments Youth Leadership Summit in Sydney, thanks to the generous support of the Community Bank Buninyong. Alongside young people from across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, they participated in a five-day program focused on leadership, connection, and personal development. 

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the return celebration, where the 17 students from Ballarat schools who attended the summit shared their experiences with representatives from the Community Bank, the Lions Club, and their families. It was inspiring to hear each student speak about the impact this opportunity has had on them, both personally and as young leaders in our community. 

Reflections from - Maddison Wright Year 10 WHSC Student 

"The Magic Moments Program in Sydney was honestly such an eye-opener. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow more confident-not just in myself, but in how I step up and lead. One of the biggest highlights was when my group, the Shining Stars, voted me “Leader of the Week” for showing the most leadership. Standing up on stage at the end of the week was surreal-I felt proud, capable, and really seen. 

Meeting new people made the whole experience even better. I made some great friends and had plenty of laughs, even though I didn’t stick with Amelia, London, and Nixon the whole time. They actually all caught influenza B, and it hit them hard, but somehow, I dodged it completely. I guess I was lucky! Hearing different stories and connecting with people from all over opened my mind and made me more curious, not just about others, but about the kind of person I’m becoming"