BBYC COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Bongil Bongil Youth Collective (BBYC) works alongside young people and the community to create opportunities for connection, participation and wellbeing.
The BBYC provides empowerment and opportunities for young people, offering a platform where diversity, inclusivity, and equitable participation are celebrated.
Founded on the belief that every young person deserves a voice and a chance to thrive, BBYC operates as a multifaceted initiative, providing equitable avenues for engagement, mentorship, and community-building. In essence, BBYC is more than just a project—it’s a testament to the potential of youth-driven initiatives to effect positive change, foster creativity, and building an inclusive community.
The BBYC has come a long way since its early days. What began as a project advisory group of committed community members has steadily grown into a thriving, youth-led collective that works alongside community to prioritise youth leadership, place-based collaboration, creativity and belonging. In the beginning, the advisory group was largely made up of adults who brought their networks, experience, and support to the table, while the BBYC’s young people carved out their own space to participate, learn and collaborate with local partners. Over time, these two streams have come together, blending perspectives and strengths into a single, unified group.
One of the things that makes the BBYC unique is its diverse members. Young people, community members, local business owners and passionate advocates for young people collaborate side-by-side, each driving projects that reflect both community needs and youth aspirations. Initiatives such as Place of Plenty showcase how the BBYC can co-design creative, community driven projects that harness pride and commitment to the community that celebrate culture, connection, and inclusivity while amplifying youth voices.
Key pillars of the BBYC:
Inclusive Participation: BBYC embraces the unique interests and commitments of all young people, ensuring that every individual finds their place within the collective. Whether it’s through hands-on involvement in specific projects or contributing to digital media endeavors, members are encouraged to shape their journey according to their passions and capabilities.
Empowering Mentorship: Central to BBYC’s ethos is the belief in the transformative power of mentorship. Both senior and junior mentees receive guidance and support as they navigate their roles within various subcommittees. This layered mentoring approach fosters personal growth, skill development, and the exchange of knowledge within the community.
Collaborative Community Engagement: BBYC operates as a hub of collaboration, with diverse projects and initiatives driven by dedicated subcommittees of young individuals.
The BBYC meet monthly at William Bayldon Public School Hub, this meeting serves as a forum for shared decision-making, program co-design, and the forging of meaningful relationships. By leveraging the collective expertise of its support crew and community partners, the BBYC creates a supportive ecosystem where members can learn, grow, and make a positive impact together.
Separate to the BBYC monthly meeting which is attended by both young people and adults, there is also a fortnightly meeting where young people come together at the Toormina Library as a platform to be heard, listened to and work together on things that matter to the youth of Toormina and surrounds.
