National Young Leaders Day is an annual event founded in 1997 to develop strong leadership values amongst young Australias. The Program consists of keynote talks, multimedia presentations and interactive learning that seeks a range of specific outcomes for young people who aspire to lead themselves and others as well.
To continue and broaden the learning of our graduates, Youth Opportunities sponsored 100 program graduates of 2014 to attend the 2015 National Young Leaders Day Event. Past Graduates travelled to the Adelaide Convention Centre from Craigmore, Salisbury, Woodville, Karoonda, Balaklava, Kapunda, Renmark and Willunga High Schools.
The event hosted some inspiring guest speaker including Paralympian Matthew Cowdrey, Musician and The Voice Finalist Rachael Leahcar and South Australian of the Year 2015 finalist, Andrea Boyd. Our graduates, along with an audience of 1,200 Adelaide primary and secondary students received the opportunity to hear the courageous journeys of guest speakers while interacting with other students from across South Australia.
YO Training Services Team facilitated an Expo Stand which buzzed with activity from our graduates and students from other schools. It was an opportunity to reconnect with our graduates and reaffirm the concepts of the program, such as sending stars to unsuspecting attendants, communication and understanding of current issues facing youth. Youth Opportunities and the Halogen Foundation worked within the same concept to deliver thought provoking questions, challenge current thoughts, and inspire youth to achieve their best.
This annual event is hosted by the Halogen Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to inspire a generation of people to lead themselves and others effectively through events such as this one that tours through major cities around Australia. The Halogen Foundation is home to major initiatives that have spread through social media, such as the 10,000 ideas campaign that has run each year since 2010. Each year, the foundation asks young people to state their thoughts on how they would make the world different – the result is a powerful picture of what is of concern to this generation, and an encouraging vision of their desire to alter their future. This year’s theme was “Getting Started”, aiming with the notion that “nothing significant, enduring or amazing ever began that way”. You can read more about the Halogen Foundation, view Adelaide’s inspiring photos from the event, or view the 10,000 ideas video at www.halogen.org.au.