Thirty-five teenagers will ‘takeover’ Ballarat and share their stories as part of the ABC’s Regional Takeover Youth Summit.

Takeover amplifies the voices of young people where they live with school workshops, original storytelling, a youth Summit and a community grants program. The chosen winners are featured across the ABC.

For Takeover Ballarat the ABC has partnered with VicHealth, the Federal Office for Youth and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), with support from the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the City of Ballarat.

ABC Director of News Justin Stevens said:

“Takeover gives young people in regional communities a genuine platform to share their perspectives with the rest of the country,” he said. “We’re looking forward to hearing how young people in Ballarat see their future; the challenges they face; and the ideas they have to strengthen their community.”

VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters AM said:

“Takeover creates a platform where young people are heard, valued and supported to turn their ideas into real change in their communities. As a long-term partner, we’re proud to have seen the incredible things young people have achieved through Takeover and can’t wait to see what Ballarat students deliver.”

Stories include Ella Sapiano who is using photography to promote reptile awareness and conservation and Kai Van Duin who transformed her passion for drumming into launching her own drumming school for girls.

Patrick McGee reflects on building confidence and connection through his weekly community radio program, ‘Events and Weather Forever’, where he presents local weather with his own unique ‘Ballarat’ spin.

“Radio helped me understand what it feels like to be heard,” Patrick said. “More young people deserve a chance to do that. We’re the future after all!”.

The Takeover Ballarat summit wraps with a red-carpet screening and ideas presentation. Participants showcase their stories and propose initiatives to make Ballarat an even better place to grow up. It was recently voted Australia’s happiest city. FRRR funding then helps bring these youth-led ideas to life.

Takeover Ballarat participants and their stories will be featured across the ABC throughout June.

The Takeover Ballarat Summit begins Monday June 1, with young people showcasing their ideas for change at the Civic Hall in Ballarat on June 4 at 4:15pm.

Story Summaries 

Marley

Marley and her mum have logged 180+ volunteer hours at Sovereign Hill, stepping into 1850s costumes as a mother-daughter duo. They support deaf visitors with Auslan, and Marley is even learning skills at the blacksmith shop.

Mason

Mason’s life was shaped by grief after losing his father, leaving him with anger and a sense of emptiness. But time with his stepdad in car rides soundtracked by Metallica and joining Army Cadets helped him.

Andre

Spartan can feel like torture but it’s also driven by the challenge and fun. Andre is preparing to compete at the Spartan Kids World Championships in China later this year.

Bailee

Bailee is calm on the footy oval, but if you disrespect her culture, she won’t back down. She wants to keep travelling and learn as much about Indigenous cultures as she can.

Eloise

Medieval riding is huge in Ballarat and Eloise has jousting in her blood. Some of the world’s best professional jousters live in Ballarat, and she wants to join them.

Favour

Favour is one of the few girls of colour doing Calisthenics in Ballarat. She was self-conscious about the way she looked but her coaches and club embraced her. Their support taught her self-acceptance.

Kai

Kai’s been drumming since she was eight. It makes her feel powerful. At 15 she transformed her passion for drumming into her own drumming school for girls.

Sophie

Sophie and her crew are determined to win the century-old Head of the Lake race, but her crew are the underdogs. She rows for Ballarat High, the only public school that offers rowing in Victoria.

Xavier

At Ballarat City FC, Xavier said a tough season at the bottom of the junior National Premier League left the team drained. But through new recruits, harder training and a shift in mindset, the team turned things around.

Aayat

Punjabi School eases Aayat’s worries while she learns about her language and culture. Bhangra, an Indian dance style, is where she finds joy.

Bentley

Bentley has a fear of heights but isn’t trying to overcome it. Feeling scared drives him. Bentley is part of his dad’s hot air balloon crew. The higher he rises, the more grounded he feels.

 Aimee-Lee

When Aimee-Lee’s farm was struggling, her Nan bought a tuckshop in Linton and they moved towns. Her Nan’s looked after her since she was a baby, so as long as they’re together, she knows everything will be okay.

 Gabi

Growing up the only place where Gabi felt safe was at her childcare facility. Now she’s studying to be a childcare worker because she knows the difference it can make.

Patrick

Patrick hosts a weather and events segment for his school’s radio program called Events and Weather Forever. He’s recorded over 25 shows and aspires to be a radio presenter.

Toby

Toby bowls for the Superstars, a league for people with disabilities. Bowling with the Superstars helped him find his spark.

Christian

Christan spent hours stargazing with his great-grandad’s binoculars, but moving to Ballarat brought more light pollution. He’s joined his local astronomy club to help preserve the night sky.

Liam

Liam and his grandma had a shared ritual of playing chess. Even after her passing, the game remains a source of strength.

Beau

Beau is not defined by a genetic condition that makes his body swell. Despite not being able to play contact sports, he feels most free riding trails on his mountain bike.

Ella

Ella is using photography to promote reptile awareness and conservation. She hopes to become the first female president of the Victorian Herpetological Society.

Gabriela

Gabriela’s grandfather was a part of the stolen generation but rarely talked about it. She grew up not knowing about her culture. But that changed when she joined Aboriginal groups and found belonging.

Zana

When Zana’s family aren’t busy with on their egg farm, they drive out of town and attend Albanian cultural events. Her’s is the only Albanian family that they know of in Ballarat.

Federico

Federico believes anything can be an instrument if you try. Making beats has inspired him to learn new instruments and see the world differently.

Miley

Miley used to think dirt was gross and engineering was for men. But joining a Girls in STEM academy ignited her dream to become an engineer.

Madeline

Madeline’s horses helped her find her voice after struggling to speak. Her horses help her anxiety, and her selective mutism has improved.

Reuben

Reuben practices the saxophone and listens to jazz when days are tough. He has a disorder that causes tumours to grow near nerves but neurofibromatosis doesn’t make Reuben feel different – just unique.

Micah

Lawn bowls is in Micah’s blood, with his great granddad playing for Australia at the Commonwealth Games. He’s competed at the School Sports Australia Games and hopes to one day follow in his granddad’s footsteps.

Paige

Paige was homeschooled after struggling with separation anxiety. But after putting on an 1850s inspired costume and volunteering at Sovereign Hill her world opened and she became more independent.

Ollie

Ollie makes masks that represent animals. Making masks helps Ollie maintain calm, when their senses become overwhelmed by Autism and ADHD.

Anja

Anja uses art to communicate emotions she can’t say out loud because of her Autism. Drawing became her refuge and she was recently awarded an art scholarship.

Bonnie

Bonnie carries a rich musical legacy as a singer, guitarist, drummer and music teacher. A Cresfest busking finalist, she performs in Creole, her grandfather’s language, keeping culture alive.

Charlie

Charlie’s Pop didn’t find out he was Aboriginal until he was in his thirties. His Pop and Dad are now ensuring Charlie knows his history and together they’re keeping his people’s stories alive.

Indyra

Indy struggles to stick to hobbies – but roller derby is different. Once the game starts, her anger and anxiety disappear. The adult team is called the Ratpack, she skates with the Mischiefs – a group of baby rats.

Samirah

Samirah used to hide her Turkish culture because she was afraid of being different. Cooking traditional food with her family has helped her embrace it.

Allysa

Allyssa is the first student in her school’s history to graduate with a year 12 certificate and the first in her family to finish year 12. She knows she can achieve great things and is excited for what’s next.

Sebastian

Sebastian was removed from his Mum when he was four. After a tumultuous childhood, he ran away from home and reunited with his Mum. Now, he’s back living with her and they’re best friends.