YOUTH across the region have been celebrated at the North Central LLEN annual general meetings.
Students from East Loddon and Boort were featured in a Find Your Feet panel discussion sharing stories of the journey when stakeholders and leaders met in Charlton.
Youngest member of the panel, East Loddon P123 College’s Lilly Hocking is completing a school-based apprenticeship as part of her VCE Vocational Major studies. Lilly said she enjoyed the opportunity to spend time at both school and in the workplace, as well as getting a head start on career in agriculture. 
After completing work experience with a stock agent in Year 10, and in the Elders Wool Room last year, Lilly started her apprenticeship through the Head Start program in Year 11 with Mansbridge Pompapiel Company.
She will complete a Certificate III in Agriculture as part of her VCE Vocational Major.
Lilly was also East Loddon P-12’s inaugural recipient of a Nutrien Ag Scholarship facilitated across all North Central schools in 2023 as part of the Department of Education’s Secondary School Agriculture Fund.
During her two farm days Lilly works with cattle and sheep and helps with the cropping program.
“I love getting out and learning new things every day and my employers are trusting and giving me responsibilities.” she said.
Also on the panel was Braedon Niven who completed Year 12 at Boort District School in 2022 and is now a trainee at the Wycheproof Early Learning Centre . He has Certificate III Community Services over the last two years.
Former Chalrton College student Darby Fitzpatrick spoke of turning his love for trucks into a vocational career pathway.
Darby said he was young to drive trucks when starting his apprenticeship - working on them the next best thing. He started with a school-based apprenticeship before taking the course full-time.
Also on the panel was Tahlijia Sheahan, a compliance officer with Teys Australia in Charlton, combined with a one-day a week position teaching VET Agriculture at the North Central Trade Training Centre in Charlton.  “I have gone and tried other jobs - but agriculture is something I’ve always been drawn back to,” she said.
The panellists answered a series of questions ranging from what they wanted to be when they were younger to later career planning while being interviewed by Jacinta Sutton.