The sun was out for this morning’s official launch of the Equihands Youth Leadership Program 2019/20 – a partnership between Hands of Change and Golden Plains Shire Council’s Youth Development Team.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey, Deputy Mayor Cr Joanne Gilbert and Cr David Evans represented Council at the launch, hearing from the directors of Hands of Change, Linda Wong and Chris Ardrey, as well as previous participants in the Equihands program Josh Walker and Eleni Nott.
The free Meredith-based program will see young people aged 12 to 16 years develop and enhance skills in leadership, teamwork, communication and self-awareness with the aid of horses. The unique program will deliver six four-week leadership programs between August 2019 and June 2020. Up to eight participants will take part in each program, with the first two already fully subscribed.
Youth Development supported a Geelong Community Foundation grant application, which was successful in obtaining $20,000 for development and delivery of the pilot program.
Golden Plains Shire Council’s Youth Development Team are supporting the Equihands Youth Leadership Program through their Engage! grant, which mandates delivery of an annual Youth Leadership Program. Equihands is a local charity, with strong links to the Meredith and surrounding communities in Golden Plains Shire.