Brimbank Young Leaders 

Twenty two young leaders from across six Brimbank secondary schools are participating in a Brimbank Community Safety project. Funded by the Department of Justice and supported by Victoria Police the 14 and 15 year olds meet weekly to explore and discuss community safety and crime prevention.

YouthNow has designed the program to develop personal resilience and an understanding of issues that impact community safety. Concurrently throughout the program YouthNow has designed activities to develop leadership skills as well as providing opportunities to develop social and networking skills. Sessions have included presentations  followed by discussion on topics that include cyber safety, bullying, legal health, cultural diversity, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse.

The project is supported by Victoria Police staff and Brimbank Police officers and Inspectors who also join in sessions and activities. The group will present messages for community safety to their peers, their schools and the Brimbank Community Safety Network in October.

Half the group meets weekly at the Sunshine Library and the other half meets weekly at Sydenham Library. During the school holidays the full group meets together for excursions and to develop the messages to deliver to the community and their peers. During the last school holidays the group traveled to Melbourne's CBD observing safety visited Sunshine Police Station and Brimbank City Council chambers. During the next school holidays the group will view a production of West Side Story at the Sydney Opera House.