Kids leading the way in the community

THE Kids as Catalysts is a Kids Thrive program that welcomed local students to think creatively and give back.

By collaborating with a community partner in Bass Coast Shire, on Tuesday, August 8, the kids held a showcase expo at Dalyston Hall to display their hard work. 

Throughout July Grade 5 and 6 students from four local schools - Powlett River Primary, Bass Valley Primary, Newhaven Primary and Wonthaggi North Primary - pitched for funding for 18 projects co-designed, planned and budgeted with community partners drawn from 15 local community organisations. 

These projects were designed to support elders, kids, people with different abilities, cultural diversity, and gender equality, alongside the environment and local animal welfare. 

This is the third year the program has been delivered to multiple schools in Bass Coast. 

The Foundation is keen to see the program being delivered as widely as 
possible across local primary schools, as it so successfully addresses key issues impacting our local kids – educational engagement and outcomes, personal resilience, mental health, and community involvement.

The students stepped onto the stage with confidence addressing the audience with their project and what they achieved with their community partner. They then welcomed their guests to take a walk around the Dalyston Hall and see the work they have completed as part of the Kids as Catalysts program. 

The program has won multiple awards for delivering significant outcomes for kids and communities across 
Victoria.  

Bass Coast Community Foundation invited Kids Thrive to bring the program to the Bass Coast region, generously funding and promoting Kids as Catalysts for the benefit of the community.

The program also receives funding from VicHealth’s Future Healthy program, and the Victorian Department of Education.