Thirty-five teenagers will ‘takeover’ Ballarat, sharing their stories as part of the ABC’s Regional Takeover Youth Summit.
Takeover is a place-based initiative that amplifies the voices of young people across the ABC and within their communities. Through school workshops, original storytelling, a youth Summit and a community grants program, the initiative shines a spotlight on regional communities and supports lasting, positive change.
Takeover Ballarat is made possible through our partners VicHealth, the Federal Office for Youth and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), with support from the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the City of Ballarat.
ABC Director of News Justin Stevens said the program provides a rare opportunity for regional young people to shape national conversations.
“Takeover gives young people in regional communities a genuine platform to share their perspectives with the rest of the country,” he said. “We’re looking forward to hearing how young people in Ballarat see their future; the challenges they face; and the ideas they have to strengthen their community.”
VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters AM said the initiative plays an important role in empowering young people to lead the conversation on issues impacting them.
“Takeover creates a platform where young people are heard, valued and supported to turn their ideas into real change in their communities. As a long-term partner, we’re proud to have seen the incredible things young people have achieved through Takeover and can’t wait to see what Ballarat students deliver.”
Audiences will hear a diverse range of stories. Ella Sapiano is using photography to promote reptile awareness and conservation, while 15-year-old Kai Van Duin transformed her passion for drumming into launching her own drumming school for girls.
Patrick McGee reflects on building confidence and connection through his weekly community radio program, ‘Events and Weather Forever’, where he presents local weather with his own unique ‘Ballarat’ spin.
“Radio helped me understand what it feels like to be heard,” Patrick said. “More young people deserve a chance to do that. We’re the future after all!”.
Minister for Youth Dr Jess Walsh said programs like Takeover are vital in supporting young Australians to develop skills and contribute meaningfully to society.
“These programs give young people the tools and confidence to speak up about the issues affecting their lives, from mental health to identity and inclusion,” she said. “They are not just participants in the conversation; they are helping to lead it.”
The Takeover Ballarat summit will culminate in a red-carpet screening and ideas presentation, where participants will showcase their stories and propose initiatives to make Ballarat an even better place to grow up.
Through FRRR, funding will be available to help bring these youth-led ideas to life within the community.
Takeover Ballarat participants and their stories will be featured across the ABC throughout June.
The Takeover Ballarat Summit begins Monday June 1, with young people showcasing their ideas for change at the Civic Hall in Ballarat on June 4 at 4:15pm.
Find out more information about the program at: https://www.abc.net.au/takeover
| Name | Story Summaries |
|---|---|
| Marley | Marley and her mum have logged 180+ volunteer hours at Sovereign Hill, stepping into 1850s costumes as a mother-daughter duo. They support deaf visitors with Auslan, and Marley is even learning skills at the blacksmith shop. |
| Mason | Mason’s life was shaped by grief after losing his father, leaving him with anger and a sense of emptiness. But time with his stepdad in car rides soundtracked by Metallica and joining Army Cadets helped him. |
| Andre | Spartan can feel like torture but it’s also driven by the challenge and fun. Andre is preparing to compete at the Spartan Kids World Championships in China later this year. |
| Bailee | Bailee is calm on the footy oval, but if you disrespect her culture, she won’t back down. She wants to keep travelling and learn as much about Indigenous cultures as she can. |
| Eloise | Medieval riding is huge in Ballarat and Eloise has jousting in her blood. Some of the world’s best professional jousters live in Ballarat, and she wants to join them. |
| Favour | Favour is one of the few girls of colour doing Calisthenics in Ballarat. She was self-conscious about the way she looked but her coaches and club embraced her. Their support taught her self-acceptance. |
| Kai | Kai’s been drumming since she was eight. It makes her feel powerful. At 15 she transformed her passion for drumming into her own drumming school for girls. |
| Sophie | Sophie and her crew are determined to win the century-old Head of the Lake race, but her crew are the underdogs. She rows for Ballarat High, the only public school that offers rowing in Victoria. |
| Xavier | At Ballarat City FC, Xavier said a tough season at the bottom of the junior National Premier League left the team drained. But through new recruits, harder training and a shift in mindset, the team turned things around. |
| Aayat | Punjabi School eases Aayat’s worries while she learns about her language and culture. Bhangra, an Indian dance style, is where she finds joy. |
| Bentley | Bentley has a fear of heights but isn’t trying to overcome it. Feeling scared drives him. Bentley is part of his dad’s hot air balloon crew. The higher he rises, the more grounded he feels. |
| Aimee-Lee | When Aimee-Lee’s farm was struggling, her Nan bought a tuckshop in Linton and they moved towns. Her Nan’s looked after her since she was a baby, so as long as they’re together, she knows everything will be okay. |
| Gabi | Growing up the only place where Gabi felt safe was at her childcare facility. Now she’s studying to be a childcare worker because she knows the difference it can make. |
| Patrick | Patrick hosts a weather and events segment for his school’s radio program called Events and Weather Forever. He’s recorded over 25 shows and aspires to be a radio presenter. |
| Toby | Toby bowls for the Superstars, a league for people with disabilities. Bowling with the Superstars helped him find his spark. |
| Christian | Christan spent hours stargazing with his great-grandad’s binoculars, but moving to Ballarat brought more light pollution. He’s joined his local astronomy club to help preserve the night sky. |
| Liam | Liam and his grandma had a shared ritual of playing chess. Even after her passing, the game remains a source of strength. |
| Beau | Beau is not defined by a genetic condition that makes his body swell. Despite not being able to play contact sports, he feels most free riding trails on his mountain bike. |
| Ella | Ella is using photography to promote reptile awareness and conservation. She hopes to become the first female president of the Victorian Herpetological Society. |
| Gabriela | Gabriela’s grandfather was a part of the stolen generation but rarely talked about it. She grew up not knowing about her culture. But that changed when she joined Aboriginal groups and found belonging. |
| Zana | When Zana’s family aren’t busy with on their egg farm, they drive out of town and attend Albanian cultural events. Her’s is the only Albanian family that they know of in Ballarat. |
| Federico | Federico believes anything can be an instrument if you try. Making beats has inspired him to learn new instruments and see the world differently. |
| Miley | Miley used to think dirt was gross and engineering was for men. But joining a Girls in STEM academy ignited her dream to become an engineer. |
| Madeline | Madeline’s horses helped her find her voice after struggling to speak. Her horses help her anxiety, and her selective mutism has improved. |
| Reuben | Reuben practices the saxophone and listens to jazz when days are tough. He has a disorder that causes tumours to grow near nerves but neurofibromatosis doesn’t make Reuben feel different – just unique. |
| Micah | Lawn bowls is in Micah’s blood, with his great granddad playing for Australia at the Commonwealth Games. He’s competed at the School Sports Australia Games and hopes to one day follow in his granddad’s footsteps. |
| Paige | Paige was homeschooled after struggling with separation anxiety. But after putting on an 1850s inspired costume and volunteering at Sovereign Hill her world opened and she became more independent. |
| Ollie | Ollie makes masks that represent animals. Making masks helps Ollie maintain calm, when their senses become overwhelmed by Autism and ADHD. |
| Anja | Anja uses art to communicate emotions she can’t say out loud because of her Autism. Drawing became her refuge and she was recently awarded an art scholarship. |
| Bonnie | Bonnie carries a rich musical legacy as a singer, guitarist, drummer and music teacher. A Cresfest busking finalist, she performs in Creole, her grandfather’s language, keeping culture alive. |
| Charlie | Charlie’s Pop didn’t find out he was Aboriginal until he was in his thirties. His Pop and Dad are now ensuring Charlie knows his history and together they’re keeping his people’s stories alive. |
| Indyra | Indy struggles to stick to hobbies – but roller derby is different. Once the game starts, her anger and anxiety disappear. The adult team is called the Ratpack, she skates with the Mischiefs – a group of baby rats. |
| Samirah | Samirah used to hide her Turkish culture because she was afraid of being different. Cooking traditional food with her family has helped her embrace it. |
| Allysa | Allyssa is the first student in her school’s history to graduate with a year 12 certificate and the first in her family to finish year 12. She knows she can achieve great things and is excited for what’s next. |
| Sebastian | Sebastian was removed from his Mum when he was four. After a tumultuous childhood, he ran away from home and reunited with his Mum. Now, he’s back living with her and they’re best friends. |
For further information contact:
Swathi Shanmukhasundaram
Producer, Community Impact
0430 652 003
shanmukhasundaram.swathi@abc.net.au
