Future leaders hone their skills at summit

SEVENTEEN Ballarat secondary students recently spent five days in New South Wales developing their personal and business skills at the Magic Moments Youth and Business Leadership Summit.

The renowned event, run by the Magic Moments Foundation, helps students aged 14 to 17 develop leadership, entrepreneurship, health and wealth through a live-in program of content and learning activities delivered by speakers and facilitators from around the world.

Up to 300 young people attend each year, participating in sessions on entrepreneurship and money, living a healthy lifestyle and effective communication, gaining a range of leadership and teamwork skills and tools.

The Ballarat contingent was drawn from Mount Clear College, Phoenix P-12 Community College, Ballarat High School and Woodmans Hill Secondary College.

Twelve of them will return to next year’s summit to complete a graduate program to continue their learning and skills development.

The trip, to Collaroy, was funded by Community Bank Buninyong, the Buninyong-Mount Helen Lions Club and Soroptimist International Club of Ballarat.

Buninyong Community Bank partnerships lead Kelly Bevan said the bank was a return supporter of the Magic Moments program because of the personal transformations and impact it has on individual students at this stage of their lives.

“It’s such a pivotal experience and can be the light bulb moment for what comes in the future,” Ms Bevan said.

“It’s wonderful we can play such a part in the development of these emerging leaders. For many, Magic Moments is a life changing experience.

“Most kids didn’t know each other before attending the program, and they have all created friendships beyond the program.”

Community Bank Buninyong has contributed more than $2.2 million to local projects through its Community Investment Program.

Community groups and other organisations interested in applying for project funding can find out more by asking at the branch in Warrenheip Street, Buninyong, or visiting the program website at communitygrowshere.com.au/investment.