Why a Youth Forum?
Throughout the 2021 Village Conversations, it was evident that communities across Alexandrina were conscious of the need for more activities, future-planning and amenities for our young people. The A2040 team conducted small workshops with student groups across the region and insights gathered from the 2021 Community Wellbeing Advisory Forums to share back at the Village Conversations.
However, during the Village Conversations, the voice of youth was not present enough to validate or contribute to what was shared as key needs for young people living in the region.
In collaboration with Goolwa Secondary College (GSC) and the aligning with the school’s pillars (Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence), Council Administration worked to co-design a meaningful day with and for the students to learn, be inspired and share their ideas to create a liveable, green and connected future.
The Youth Forum provided a platform for GSC students and leadership groups from Mount Compass Area School and Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School to participate and share their ideas.
About the day
Students experienced a full day of interactive workshops based on themes that were identified as important early in the planning process. Workshops were designed to educate, inspire and motivate students to live a healthier, balanced and more connected life. Students gathered at the Goolwa Stadium for Welcome to Country and an inspirational speech by Amy Springhall then rotated through a series of workshops.
Shaping Our Local Place - A2040 Workshop
The Youth Forum provided an authentic and meaningful opportunity for youth to contribute their ideas, solutions and values when it comes to future-planning for their ‘villages’ and for the Alexandrina region as a whole. The ‘Shaping Our Local Place’ was designed to listen, learn and capture the voice of youth through the lens of the A2040 vision of a Liveable, Green and Connected future.
This session also provided an opportunity for youth to share their views directly with community group representatives, community leaders and specialist Council staff to enhance understanding and build cross-generational connections.
Special thanks
Thank you to Goolwa Secondary College for hosting, Mount Compass Area School and Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School for ensuring school leaders attended, thank you to our facilitators, keynote speaker Amy Springhall and event partners David Basham MP, Ezra Coaching and Roar Speech.
Thank you to the following businesses and organisations that contributed to the ‘goodie bags’ that students took home with them:
- LGA South Australia
- Mountain Fresh Juice
- Sun and Surf - Middleton
- David Basham MP
- Rebekah Sharkie MP
Community leaders in attendance 
Student leaders