Ballarat Young Mental Health Ambassadors Recognised

Young people in Ballarat are part of an award-winning movement helping lead conversations around youth mental health across regional Victoria.

Live4Life Crews have won the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award at the 2026 Victorian 7News Young Achiever Awards, recognising the work of Year 9 and 10 student volunteers who promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking among their peers.

The award celebrates young leaders from rural and regional communities across Victoria, (including the program Community Bank Buninyong supports in Ballarat), who are helping create positive cultural change through the Live4Life program.

L-R: Live4Life Youth and Community Engagement Adviser Bridie Johnstone, Jewel Burchell-Robins, Jayhe-Lee Quattrocchi, Talon Gostelow, Elizabeth Ireland, Mina Beverley, Regan Smith, Minister for Youth the Hon. Luba Grigorovitch MP, Charlie Bassett (Photo by Michael Coppola Photographics)

Live4Life CEO Jeremy Wiggins said the recognition reflects the impact young people are making in their communities.

“Congratulations to the young people of the Live4Life Crews. Their contribution to their communities is outstanding and this award is very well-deserved,” he said.

Since launching in 2010, more than 40,000 young people have completed evidence-based mental health education through Live4Life, with more than 1,800 students volunteering as Crew members across Victoria.

The program continues to play an important role in regional communities like locally in Ballarat, where young people often face greater barriers accessing mental health support.

Community Bank Buninyong Partnerships Lead Kelly Bevan said we love supporting this initiative because it's helping lead important conversations both within local schools and the wider youth community.

“These incredible young people in the Crews are champions, leading the conversation about mental health amongst their peers and more broadly across Ballarat. We can't wait to see the on effects of this program in the years to come", she said.

As more young people join local Crews in 2026, Ballarat remains part of a growing statewide effort focused on prevention, connection and youth leadership in mental health.

Clockwise from top left: Live4Life Youth and Community Engagement Adviser Bridie Johnstone, Elizabeth Ireland, Talon Gostelow, Live4Life CEO Jeremy Wiggins, Mina Beverley, Charlie Bassett, Jayhe-Lee Quattrocchi, Regan Smith, Jewel Burchell-Robins

We’re doing good things together. To find out how visit www.communitygrowshere.com.au 🌏, call our branch locally in Buninyong on (03) 5341 8066 or email 📧 buninyongmailbox@bendigoadelaide.com.au

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