In July 2026, Communities for Children (C4C) Bendigo partnered with the Y School Holiday Program at Lightning Reef Primary School to celebrate 21 years of C4C in Bendigo.
As part of C4C’s ongoing commitment to listening to children and understanding what matters to them, 21 young people aged 5 to 12 were invited to share their experiences of growing up in Bendigo and talk about the things that matter most to them. Along with seeking consent from each child’s caregiver, all children had an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and provide their own consent for involvement.
This work is informed by the Lundy Model of Child Participation, which recognises children’s right to have their views heard, expressed freely and taken seriously, with opportunities to influence decisions and actions that affect them. C4C has been exploring meaningful ways to listen to children through the Voice of the Family project, seeking to better understand children’s experiences and perspectives through the voices and experiences of families.
Through Polyglot Theatre’s Voice Lab, C4C is taking this listening approach in a unique and creative direction. The aim is to learn directly from children what really matters to them—in their own words, in their own way, and on the issues they believe are important.
Recorded on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo, Victoria, the project provides children with an opportunity to be heard and to share their perspectives on life in their community. The children explored questions such as: “How do you know when a grown-up is really listening to you?”
Their responses offer an insightful glimpse into how young people experience Bendigo, what they value, what they notice about their community and what they want adults to understand.
Most importantly, these 21 voices remind us that listening to children is not simply about asking questions—it is about creating genuine opportunities for children to express their views, ensuring those views are heard and using what we learn to better understand and respond to what matters in their lives.
Listen to the 21 voices in the following two videos to hear directly from these amazing young people about growing up in Bendigo.