Principal of Orbost Community College, Peter Seal, along with Sale College principal Brendan Staple and Swifts Creek P12 principal Robert Boucher met with chief executive officer of Youthrive Victoria, Andrew McGuckian, last Thursday at Bairnsdale.
The trio of principals were briefed by Mr McGuckian on the benevolent work carried out by Youthrive across country Victoria for students with an eye on tertiary studies in Melbourne.
At the meeting Mr McGuckian was seeking support and understanding of the foundation by the three leading principals.
He said Youthrive is aiming, with the cooperation of a third party, to activate a mentoring program for students in year 12 who are considering further studies. The position would start as a two-day a week program and the and the successful applicant would be trained and funded by Youthrive as well as supported by schools with positive communication.
The principals were positive about the helping hand offered by Youthrive and it was discussed briefly that the young mentor, when appointed, may be based at Sale.
Mr McGuckian said he was pleased with the reception given to him by the principals and he thought there was a solid possibility of Youthrive becoming a part of the Gippsland Secondary Colleges network, having a positive impact on the lives of young students in the region.
The mentoring program Youthrive runs in other parts of the state is successful with around 600 students past and present part of the alumni.
Formally known as the McPherson Smith Rural Foundation, Youthrive was created in 2008 with an establishment grant of $5 million. In 2011 the first scholarships were awarded to support young rural people going to university.
In the same year the mentoring program was established along with the Young Rural Leaders program. The Youthrive model further involves the Dream Seeds program and
Rural Chances vocational scholarships.
In 2023 more than 5000 young people across country Victoria engaged in person-to-person events associated with Youthrive.
