For the third year running Tomorrow Today’s Full Impact Squad has orchestrated Benalla Spring Clean. An initiative to address littering around Lake Benalla. The Squad, with the help of some enthusiastic volunteers, undertakes a morning of rubbish collection ending with a sausage sizzle.
Squad member, Trevor spoke about why Benalla Spring Clean is an important exercise, “We all should be caring for the land and the environment just as traditionally Aboriginal peoples have done. Doing small things like the Benalla Spring Celan is one way we, as young people, can contribute to healing our local environment.”
The Full Impact Project was formed almost three years ago to give a voice to Benalla’s young people aged 11-19 on issues important to them. The project is part of Tomorrow Today’s Education Benalla Program.
Tomorrow Today’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, Alex Ross thanked locals who assisted with the clean up and praised the Squad’s efforts, “It was great to see a few locals coming out to give the Squad a hand on Saturday. I know that the Squad members have appreciated their help!”
“The Squad has really matured in recent times and I can see how they are learning from each event they run and applying it to other areas they are interested in. I know that they will take some important things from Benalla Spring Clean to make the next one bigger and better.”
Councilor Gail O’Brien was at the event and thanked the Squad for their efforts. “It’s fantastic to see this group of young people who are so passionate about Benalla being proactive to make our town a better place to live – not just for young people, but for everyone. They are learning about working together, and they’re encouraging others to be better citizens. You can tell they are really keen to be involved in the Benalla community. I really think if we support young people they can do great things.”
Full Impact Squad membership is open to young people aged 11-19 who live in the Benalla local government area. The Squad meets weekly during school terms to participate in workshops, plan events and undertake leadership and team-building activities.