In the regional city of Ballarat, Victoria, young people are stepping into the spotlight, sharing their personal stories through ABC’s Takeover initiative. Among them is 17-year-old Toby, who has faced significant challenges while still in high school. His father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, 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. His father is now on the road to recovery, but the experience has been a strenuous journey for Toby and his family. To cope with the stress, Toby turns to singing and bowling, activities that have brought him joy and recognition. He won an award for his performance of “Nutbush” last year and claimed the local bowling league title in 2021. “That made me feel really happy. It was the best time of my life,” he said.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Allysa has also faced her share of challenges. “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 can inspire others to explore alternative educational paths.
John, 16, another student at Yuille Park Community College, left home at 15 and has been navigating the path to independence. He emphasizes the importance of sharing stories like his to give others the confidence to speak up and raise awareness about youth mental health.
ABC Takeover: A Platform for Regional Youth
These students are among over 600 from Ballarat who have submitted their stories to ABC Takeover, a storytelling competition designed to empower young people aged 15 to 19 in regional areas. The initiative provides a platform for them to share their unique experiences with a broader audience.
Takeover is part of a broader effort by ABC, which also runs Heywire, a similar program for young people aged 16 to 22. While Takeover is relatively new, having started in 2022, it has already broadcast the stories of 240 young individuals from various regions, including Shepparton, Mildura, Melbourne, and more.
Now, the Takeover team has its sights set on Ballarat, where students like Allysa note that young voices often struggle to be heard. “It probably doesn’t get out as much being the town it is,” she said.
How Takeover Works
The Takeover process begins with selecting an area to host events, ensuring maximum impact by considering factors like youth population, diversity, and socio-economic status. Once an area is chosen, facilitators engage with schools and community groups, asking participants about their joys, challenges, and strengths. These insights 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 community members and previous Takeover and Heywire alumni, selects just 35 winners. Swathi Shanmukhasundaram, a Takeover producer, explained, “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?”
“Sometimes it’s about funding for their community, about learning something new, making friends. You never know what will come out of it.” — Swathi Shanmukhasundaram
The Impact of Takeover
The winning stories are broadcast on ABC television and radio, culminating in a five-day summit that showcases the winners’ narratives. This event includes a red-carpet screening and opportunities for the winners to discuss community improvement with leaders.
The upcoming Takeover Ballarat Summit, scheduled for June 2026, is anticipated to be a significant event for the community and young people nationwide. Pat, a 15-year-old from Ballarat Specialist School, expressed the importance of such platforms. “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,” he said.
Allysa added, “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.”
As the stories of Ballarat’s youth continue to unfold, the Takeover initiative not only amplifies their voices but also fosters a sense of community and empowerment among young Australians.
