Participants in Tomorrow Today’s Connect9 program took to the skies above Benalla on Saturday July 16, in a celebration to mark the end of their 10-week mentoring program. Nervous excitement was palpable as each participant clambered into a glider and buckled in for the experience of a lifetime. The glider flights tracked different paths over Benalla and its surrounds, with the pilots handing the controls to their passengers for part of each flight. The nerves invariably gave way to wide-eyed grins on landing, with many participants keen to glide again.
Connect9 matches local volunteers (mentors) with a Benalla student in Year 9. They meet weekly to participate in a range of activities either individually or as part of the whole group. Each week has a different focus including art, cooking, robotics and flight simulations, Venturers/Scouts, a huge lakeside Scavenger Hunt, and exploring future careers, volunteering opportunities and new hobbies. The program is designed to build confidence and wellbeing, encourage healthy lifestyles and connect participants to Benalla and the local community.
Connect9’s final celebration also included a barbecue, prepared by Rotary Club of Benalla volunteers, and a certificate presentation where each mentee and mentor expressed a few words about their Connect9 experience.
“Connect9 has been amazing! It’s kind of sad to see it end, it’s probably the best program ever. If you’re thinking about doing Connect9 you should definitely do it – it’s nerve-racking at first meeting new people but you’ll get used to it and make some really great friends”, participant Ruby shared.
“I have loved being a mentor, this is my third time!” says Ash; “It is such an honour to be involved in a young person’s life, I think I’ve gained as much as them.”
Many parents also expressed how much the program had benefited their child. “Connect9 has brought my son out of himself. I’m so glad he had the chance to be part of it”, said one.
Every year the Benalla community rises to the challenge of supporting the delivery of Connect9 with the YMCA, Charles Sturt University, North East Artisans, Benalla Scouts and Venturers, Galen College, the Gliding Club of Victoria, Benalla Rotary Club and many other local businesses and individuals volunteering their time and expertise to help make the program a success.
“Connect9 is one of our key programs for young people in Benalla” says Tomorrow Today Executive Officer, Rosie Koop. “It’s great to see our Year 9 students gaining confidence, making new friends and trying new things through being involved in this program. The support we receive from the wider community is wonderful.”
Connect9 runs twice every year