In the heart of Ballarat, Victoria, a group of young individuals are finding their voices through ABC Takeover, a storytelling initiative that offers a platform for regional youth to share their unique experiences. Among them is Toby, a 17-year-old high school student who has faced significant personal challenges. In 2021, his father was diagnosed with lung cancer, followed by brain cancer earlier this year.
“I sacrificed [by] missing school to make the trip to Melbourne to support my dad in each and every way,” Toby shared. While his father is now recovering, the journey has been arduous for Toby and his family. To cope with the stress, Toby has turned to singing and bowling, activities that bring him joy and a sense of accomplishment. He won an award for his performance of “Nutbush” last year and clinched the local bowling league title in 2021. “That made me feel really happy. It was the best time of my life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Allysa, 18, has navigated her own set of challenges during her schooling. “From like the start of year seven, I didn’t have a very good start to high school. [I was] relentlessly bullied all year, and I just needed a way out,” she recounted. Allysa found solace in alternative learning at Yuille Park Community College, where she became the first student to complete the Victorian Pathway Certificate. She believes her story could inspire others to explore alternative educational paths.
John, 16, also a student at Yuille Park Community College, left home at 15 to gain independence. He hopes sharing his story will encourage others to speak up about their situations and raise awareness for youth mental health. These narratives are part of over 600 submissions from Ballarat students to the ABC Takeover initiative.
Understanding ABC Takeover
ABC Takeover is a storytelling competition designed to empower young people aged 15 to 19 in regional areas, providing them with the skills and platform to share their personal stories. The initiative is run by the same team behind Heywire, a similar program for youth aged 16 to 22 that has been active since 1998. Although Takeover is relatively new, having launched in 2022, it has already broadcast the stories of 240 young people from various regions across Australia.
Now, the Takeover team is focusing on Ballarat, where students like Allysa feel that young voices often go unheard. “It probably doesn’t get out as much being the town it is,” she noted. The initiative aims to change that by amplifying the voices of Ballarat’s youth.
The Takeover Process
Takeover begins by selecting a region based on factors such as youth population, diversity, and socio-economic status to ensure maximum impact. Facilitators then visit schools and community groups to engage with participants, asking questions about their joys, challenges, and strengths. These interactions form the basis of the stories submitted to the competition.
With over 600 entries from Ballarat alone, the selection process is rigorous. A panel of judges, including local community members and past Takeover and Heywire alumni, selects 35 winners. Swathi Shanmukhasundaram, a producer from Takeover, explained the challenges of this process: “There are multiple things that go into it. The most important thing is: is this young person passionate about the thing that they’re sharing? Is there a story structure in there that the producer can play with?”
“Some of our best entries come from stories that were two lines,” Swathi added.
The winning stories are broadcast on ABC television and radio, culminating in a five-day summit where winners present their stories and engage with community leaders to discuss ways to improve their communities.
Looking Ahead: The Ballarat Summit
The Takeover Ballarat Summit, scheduled for June 2026, promises to be a significant event for the community and young people nationwide. Pat, a 15-year-old from Ballarat Specialist School, emphasized the importance of this opportunity: “I feel like young people definitely do deserve a chance to talk out their feelings, because of course, a lot of people have been saying they’re the new generation. They’re probably going to lead the world.”
Allysa echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of storytelling: “I think it’s important for all young people to tell the adults how it is and share their story and know that not everyone’s the same, but we can all learn to accept each other.”
“The more we share, the more it can inspire other young people,” she concluded.
As ABC Takeover continues to evolve, it not only provides a platform for young voices but also fosters a sense of community and empowerment among the youth of regional Australia.
