On Friday 27 February, the Youth Insearch community came together aboard the Southern Cloud to celebrate 40 years of young people supporting one another through shared experience.
With the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as our backdrop, we reflected on four decades of peer-led impact, and the more than 32,000 young lives that have been impacted.
Peer Leader Jamaal was our MC for the evening, who opened with a moving Acknowledgment of Country and shared his own story as a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man.
Jamaal spoke openly about his journey through Youth Insearch, from participant to leader, and now to his role as a facilitator on the Regional Reset program.
“What I’ve learnt and am still learning about myself, comparing from my first ever program to now, is that I have accepted myself for who l am, not only in my cultures but as a Man. Youth Insearch showed me the path to follow and I took it, putting in the hard work to be standing in front of you today. Going from a young participant with many issues, to a young man with his head on the right track.” — Jamaal, Peer Leader
Heath Ducker then shared reflections from his personal journey as Youth Insearch alumni and former CEO. Heath spoke about what makes Youth Insearch enduring: its ability to bring people back to what matters most: connection, care, and the reminder that every young person belongs.
“We need programs like Youth Insearch to bring us back together to teach our young people things like love, hope, inspiration and belonging. That they exist and they are part of the world we live in.” — Heath Ducker, Former CEO & Alumni
Peer Leader Matilda then bravely shared her own Youth Insearch journey, speaking to how the program helped transform the trajectory of her life.
“Last year I had my leadership graduation and as I was standing in front of the room reading my speech, I had a realisation that I had made it. That the little 13 year old who was struggling so much she didn’t want to be on earth anymore is now sharing her whole story in front of a full room. That little girl who couldn’t stay clean for more than a day is now a year and a half clean. And I truly believe if I never said yes to going on that Weekend Workshop that I would not be here today.” — Matilda, Peer Leader
The evening closed with reflections from Susan Sciffer, Youth Insearch’s Acting CEO, who spoke to the strength of our legacy and the ambition of our future. While Youth Insearch marks 40 years of impact, our vision continues to grow: expanding our place-based model so that every regional community across Australia, where there is a need, has access to youth-led support and connection.
“To our young leaders, alumni, facilitators, volunteers, partners, funders, and staff: thank you for turning belief into action. And to the more than 32,000 young people whose futures are now bigger than they once imagined: you are the reason we do this.” — Susan Sciffer, Acting CEO
Here’s to 40 years of peer-led change, and to every young person still to come.
Thank you to Garry and Susan Rothwell for graciously hosting us.
