The Buninyong Youth Advisory Council made up of students from Mt Clear, Phoenix P-12, Woodmans Hill and Loreto, held a food drive across Ballarat Secondary schools to collect food for vulnerable community members.
Members of the Buninyong Youth Advisory Council and the Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle met with Craig Schepis, President of the On-Track Foundation, to hand over the collected items to The Soup Bus to be distributed.
The idea for a food drive started at the first youth council meeting, where councillors identified food insecurity as their focus topic. Members of the council met with local food security groups to learn about the environmental and economic impacts of food wastage, and to learn about what is being done in the Ballarat region to support those in need.
Members of the youth council created a booklet aimed at young people to talk about how they can minimise food wastage in fun and creative ways. The councillors researched simple recipes using common ingredients found in most house hold pantries. The booklet will be available at community centres, as well as secondary schools. Download the flyer here
The Buninyong Youth Advisory Council is made up of ten young people aged 16-22 from the Buninyong electorate which includes Ballarat, Moorabool and Golden Plains Shires. The Council is designed to empower young people to play a more active role in public life - it provides participants with the opportunity to build their understanding of government and the role and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament.
The group meets monthly to discuss local issues, learn about the democratic system and how they can more confidently participate in the decision-making processes and more importantly give them the opportunity to meet community leaders and develop their own campaigns such as the food drive and food insecurity booklet.
Quote attributable to Eve Joyce Buninyong Youth Council
"We chose the Soup Bus and the International Student Pantry at Federation University as recipients of our collected donations because they cater to our most vulnerable community members. Given the hardships many have faced due to COVID-19, we thought the food drive was an invaluable way to assist organisations in meeting the increased demand for emergency food relief.
"Before I nominated for the Youth Council, I didn't know I could make a difference, but now I know I can lead and how to contribute to issues I care about. It has been a great experience."
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle
“Establishing the Buninyong Youth Council was about giving young people an opportunity to network and build their skills.”
“Food insecurity is a wicked problem, and I’m incredibly impressed how the group identified a practical way that they could make a difference in the lives of others”.
Quote attributable to Craig Schepis Director of the On-Track Foundation
“On behalf of the On-Track Foundation I would like to thank the Buninyong youth advisory council for their amazing efforts to assist us in assisting those in need within our community through our Soupbus service. We are truly grateful as there is no better gift than the gift of giving”
