Supporting the youth of Melbourne’s west

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Plenary Health have joined forces, with a five-year partnership supporting the foundation’s Youth Leadership Project. 

The Plenary Health consortium is contracted by the Victorian Government to deliver the $1.5 billion New Footscray Hospital Project – the largest single health infrastructure investment in Victoria.

Operated by Western Health, the new hospital will have more than 500 beds, treat almost 15,000 additional patients and allow almost 20,000 extra people to be seen by the emergency department each year. There will also be more outpatient, mental health, palliative care and surgical services. 

The Youth Leadership Project is a six-month dynamic development program for young people aged 14 to 16 living across the west of Melbourne and Victoria. Participants are guided through practical and theory-based activities designed to enhance participants’ capacities in leadership, teamwork, communication, goal setting and resilience, empowering them to contribute and grow as leaders in their community.

Plenary Health’s investment in the project will help to empower young people in the west to participate in the initiative and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Western Bulldogs General Manager, Community and Government Relations Kashif Bouns said the partnership would allow greater opportunities for young leaders in the West.

“It’s excellent to be working with an amazing organisation in Plenary Health who are going to have such a fantastic impact on our community. Thanks to their support we are able to continuously improve the Youth Leadership Project and deliver a program that will have a major impact on the lives of participants,” Mr Bouns said.

“Partnering with Plenary Health will allow young people in the program exposure to the development of the New Footscray Hospital which will provide opportunities for skill development and work experience.”

Plenary Health New Footscray Hospital Project Chair Kelvyn Lavelle said he was proud to partner with the foundation on this important program.

“This partnership will allow the Foundation to deliver more programs to more of the western suburbs’ future leaders, giving them real-life experiences and practical skills to contribute and grow as leaders in their community,” Mr Lavelle said.

“The benefits of the New Footscray Hospital Project reach further than the site the hospital is being built on, it’s also about supporting the western suburbs community more broadly and connecting our business to the local community we are working in. 

“Partnerships like this also help our staff build relationships with the work of the Foundation, tracing a beneficial link to local young people and the generation of new skills in the community.”