REGION - The Northern Grampians Shire Youth Action Council (YAC) is gearing up for another big year in 2014.
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Since their appointment in April, group members have planned several initiatives and hosted two major youth events in Stawell and St Arnaud.
To celebrate their achievements, the YAC took part in a planning day and end of year celebration in St Arnaud.
The planning session was facilitated by youth motivational speaker Nathan Hulls who led the group's first meeting earlier this year.
Chairperson Matilda Douglas said the YAC was able to review the last eight months, work on team building activities and undertake personality profiling.
"Because we are a relatively new group, it was good to look back on the things we've done and focus on what was successful and what we could improve on," she said.
"It was a fantastic session and really gave us an insight into how to understand each other better. We feel like this is going to help us to work as a cohesive unit as we move into the next 12 months."
The session also gave the YAC a chance to work on the Northern Grampians Shire's first youth strategy.
Ms Douglas said the strategy would be a major focus for the group in 2014.
"One of our main tasks as a Youth Action Council is to develop a youth strategy for the shire," she said.
"During our day with Nathan we brainstormed what the strategy should include and how we want it to look. The next step will be putting together a document that will help make the Northern Grampians Shire a great place for young people to live and work.
"We will also be planning some more great events and working on our mental health project with the $10,000 Heywire grant we received from the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal."
The YAC is currently seeking new members for 2014. Applicants must be aged between 12 and 25 years old, reside in the Northern Grampians Shire and be able to commit to at least one meeting per month. Anyone interested should contact Amy Rhodes on 5358 0506 or email amy.rhodes@ngshire.vic.gov.au