Young people have been inspired to aim high and overcome adversity at this year’s Shellharbour Youth Services Youth Summit.
More than 40 students from Amity College, Warilla High School, Calderwood Christian School, Oak Flats High School, Lake Illawarra High School and St Joseph’s Catholic High School attended the summit at Shellharbour Civic Centre on Friday.
Hosted by Shellharbour City Council’s Youth Services team, this year’s summit focused on celebrating inspirational young people and fostering leadership development.
The line-up of guest speakers at the summit included Kai Sakakibara, a talented BMX rider who suffered a traumatic brain injury when he crashed while attempting to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He shared his inspiring story of overcoming adversity with summit participants, who were moved by his inspirational story.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer joined the summit participants for breakfast prior to the event along with Councillors and senior staff.
Mayor Homer said the summit was an important way in which Council engaged with the city’s young people.
“There are more than 12,500 people aged between 12 and 24 living in Shellharbour City, representing 16.4% of the total population. This is higher than the NSW average,” Mayor Homer said.
“Our Council has long been committed to ensuring that our city’s young people aged 12-24 are supported.
“This summit is the perfect example of the wonderful job Council does in facilitating opportunities for young people to connect and share their opinions and aspirations for the future.
Shellharbour’s Youth Services team provides a range of programs including school holiday activities and programs, outreach in the afternoons, collaborative programs in schools and community partnerships.
