Social Innovators shaping their community

Published on 16 April 2024

In partnership with Moyne Shire and led by Crazy Ideas College, the Moyne Social Innovators program continues to build momentum and impact as the program enters its fourth year.

Social Innovators (SI) will see young people from St Patrick’s Parish Primary and Port Fairy Consolidated School step up to complete the program in 2024 with a strong focus on ideas being brought to life in the local community.

The SI program equips young people with the skills and confidence to invent services, programs and products that enrich the lives of their fellow citizens.

The Year 6 students will come together on April 16-17 at Southcombe Lodge in Port Fairy to complete the program. Across the 2-days, the young people will discover new insights around issues they care about, generate crazy good ideas, prototype how these ideas can work in community, and present compelling pitches that inspire action to a panel of community partners on Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor, Cr Ian Smith said the program incorporates human-centred design, future thinking and innovation methodologies.

“We can’t wait to see the creative thinking from these students about how we tackle our big challenges in new and radical ways.,” said Cr Smith.

“We’re grateful to the Crazy Ideas College for running the Moyne Social Innovators program to help unlock the big ideas that will transform the future,” he said.

Kieran Murrihy of the Crazy Ideas College said we all benefit when we unlock the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and optimism of young people.

“That is why when young people participate in CIC programs they learn the methodologies, tools and mindsets that will enable them to build healthy and prosperous futures for themselves and their communities,” said Mr Murrihy.

Local community and business partners are connected into the program so that teams extend their thinking and great ideas can be acted upon. Community partners will be providing feedback to teams as they develop their ideas and connecting teams with the right people and resources so their ideas can be brought to life.

Following the program, teams will embark on an 8-week journey to bring their ideas to life, continuing to collaborate with community and business partners within Moyne Shire.

All ideas will be showcased on CICBeyond – an online platform designed specifically to share, celebrate, and connect these ideas with the community. The local community are encouraged to get online and check out the ideas post the program.

The Moyne Social Innovators program is funded by the Victorian Government through their Engage! fund.