March was a busy month for YO Bendigo, starting the year with a massive line up of events, workshops, and courses aimed at empowering and engaging our vibrant youth community. From International Women's Day celebrations to exciting skill-building sessions and Disco-themed activities for the Bendigo Pride Festival, March had something for everyone.

First off, the month started with another successful paint-pouring workshop. Running for an hour, this workshop provided the perfect opportunity for young people to chill out after school and make stunning paint-pouring artwork in different colours!



Following on from paint pouring in another creative way was the celebration around International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, with the Women in Gold exhibition and launch.

The Women in Gold exhibition brings together words and works by various female artists across Bendigo onto the walls of Pennyweight Lane for everyone to view. One of these works includes a written submission from our very own Youth Mayor; Lilly Correll (see the images below for a full view and read).



We also delivered our first-ever self-defence workshop with the Australian Trauma Support Centre. The self-defence workshop provides young women and young people who identify as women with techniques to deliver effective strikes against opponents and become their own protectors, empowered to become more capable of defending themselves if a dangerous situation ever arises.



Another first during March was also the start of our leadership training by Bendigo Toastmasters titled ‘Youth Toastmasters: Public Speaking Training’. Part of a series, this program aims to provide young, aspiring community leaders with skills in speaking in front of large crowds, writing speeches and key essentials of effective communication.

Throughout March we also held a successful range of workshops centred around helping young people become job-ready, including a Barista workshop and Provide First Aid and CPR Training.

More events, fun-filled activities and workshops are coming in 2024 that will give young people in Greater Bendigo plenty to do and get involved in. So, stay tuned for much more in 2024! And don’t forget to join our weekly newsletter, where we list everything, we have coming up, as well as opportunities and events by other organisations across the Greater Bendigo for young people (aged 12-25 years).