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Young people from across the region will come together for the first Warrnambool Youth Environment Summit from May 2-4.
The summit aims to demonstrate some of the many ways you can get involved in helping the environment locally, while building skills and knowledge to empower young people to have their voices heard.
The free event kicks off with a tour of the Hycel hydrogen research facility at Deakin University with discussions and hands-on workshops over the course of the weekend.
There will be a “water bug” survey in the Hopkins River with Nature Glenelg Trust and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, conservation work with native plants, kayaking on the Merri River while searching for platypuses, sewing for sustainability, a beach clean-up plus sessions on digital storytelling, advocacy, careers in sustainability and the power of music.
Amelia Dumesny is one of the young people organising the event, and encouraged anyone aged 12-25 with an interest in the environment and sustainability to come along.
“Whether you’re new to environmentalism and you’re just starting out, or you have some experience and you want to find out how you can branch out further, it’s an amazing experience,” she said.
“Even if you turn up and only find one thing you like, that would be incredible help for one, our environment, but also for you, because it’s a wonderful team and everyone who I’ve ever met in this field is so friendly and so welcoming.”
To find out more and to register visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/warrnambool-youth-environment-summit or contact Warrnambool City Council Youth Engagement Officer Lauren Brown on 0409 449 556.
Following the summit, attendees have the option of getting involved in the Green Futures Now program. Running in the second half of 2025, this will see participants come up with their own initiative and get support to make it happen.
The Warrnambool Youth Environment Summit is brought to you by the Warrnambool City Council Youth Engagement team and Green Futures Now Ambassadors. Funding has been provided by the Victorian Government’s Engage program, with kind sponsorship from Hycel Deakin, Youth Affairs Council Victoria and Brophy Family and Youth Services.
Additional funding support has been provided by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA with funds through the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust program and the Victorian Government's Our Catchments Our Communities Program.