Scenic Rim Regional Council has marked the 10th anniversary of its Youth Leadership Program.
Established in 2011 in response to community feedback, the Youth Leadership Program has provided an opportunity for Council to engage with the youth of the region to develop their self-awareness, leadership skills and their ability to collaborate in a group working environment.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Council is passionate about the Program, which has enabled many of its 400 participants to go on to hold key leadership roles in their schools and communities.
“This Program helps our emerging leaders connect with their dreams and gives them the courage to pursue them, and it is wonderful to see the participants grow in self-confidence and maturity,” he said.
The program’s facilitator, former Olympian Selina Scoble, has built a career as an entrepreneur and inspirational speaker and has worked closely to bring out the best in participating students from Boonah State High School, Beaudesert State High School, Tamborine Mountain College and Tamborine Mountain State High School.
Boonah State High School Principal, Cheryl Bullion said Council’s Youth Leadership Program is not about leadership badges, it focuses on developing leadership skills and most importantly, supporting them to become responsible citizens.
“Here at Boonah, it is an essential segue between the school’s junior leadership program in Year 9 and our senior leadership program at the end of Year 11,” she said.
Tamborine Mountain State High School Principal, Tracey Brose, congratulated Scenic Rim Regional Council on the initiative and the value it delivered to the community and said the program had become a keenly anticipated event on the school calendar.
“I have students every year come and ask to put their name down for next year’s leadership workshop after they hear from other students what it was like,” she said.
“Everyone involved in the program does the most amazing job.”
Cr Christensen said the program represented an investment in the future of the Scenic Rim region.
“The Youth Leadership Program provides an excellent forum for an exchange of views between Council and the young people who represent the future of our community,” he said. “By helping to develop the leadership qualities of our young people we are also providing a foundation for the future of healthy, engaged and resourceful communities.”