Forum gives youth a voice

A LONG Gully youth forum will take place next week and is aiming to give young people a chance to have a say on where they live.

The neighbourhood’s first community plan is currently being developed which will set out the challenges the Long Gully is facing, and the projects people would like to see.

Community worker Dave Fagg said it’s important young people have the opportunity to be involved in the plan.

“Often these community processes easily get people who don’t work during the day, who have time to come during meetings and often they don’t deliberately reach out to young people to get their views on things,” he said.

“So, we thought it’d be good to invite young people together to connect with each other and give their views on Long Gully, what they think could be better and what they appreciate about Long Gully.”

Eaglehawk Secondary College school captain Mhairi Cornford said it’s pleasing to see more opportunities for Bendigo’s youth to have their voices heard.

“It’s really empowering, it really gets you motivated and also motivates you to reach out to other young people to put your ideas together,” she said.

“It definitely makes you feel like you actually can make a change and are valued in the community.

“Having forums like this is really important because the youth, the things that are happening now are going to be our future so it’s really important we get a say in what that future looks like.”

The forum takes place on Thursday, 23 June at 4.30pm St Matthew’s Church with food provided.