Congratulations to Devonport City Council employee Eleanor McCormack, for being one of 11 winners of the national ABC Heywire 2022 Trailblazers program for her initiative "Locals".
Trailblazers provides an opportunity for people between the ages of 18 and 28, to gain national recognition for the positive social change projects they are driving in their local communities.
When Eleanor finished year 12, she moved to the mainland to further her studies and career prospects, however after three and half years of struggling with homesickness, exacerbated by the onset of COVID-19, she returned home to the North West coast with a renewed passion for her region.
Having experienced how graduate programs work in a big-city environment, Eleanor realised that opportunities for local Tasmanian students to be involved in such programs is limited, and hence developed 'Locals' - a project designed to create early career opportunities in the north west.
Eleanor's vision in developing this project is to enable young people to use their education, whether it be a TAFE qualification or a university degree, to gain positions in the workforce that support them to shape the community in which they live.
"Locals is about empowering young people who are passionate about their community to stay in the region and gain meaningful employment that helps to shape the community," said Eleanor.
"When I moved home and discovered there weren't enough opportunities for graduates, I kept wishing that there was a support system or project just like Locals. Winning Trailblazers means that I get to start that project, and use the platform and mentoring provided to benefit highly employable young people who just need an opportunity to shine in the workforce here.
"I truly love this region, and to have my idea recognised amongst 11 amazing projects nationally is incredibly humbling."
Devonport City Council General Manager Matthew Atkins acknowledged Eleanor's win in the national program.
"We are lucky to have young people in our community, and indeed on our workforce, who are passionate about our community and committed to making the region a better place for others now, and into the future. It needs to be acknowledged this is Eleanor's own volunteer project, into which she invests her own time outside of working for Council.
"I wish Eleanor the very best of luck with "Locals" and I'm looking forward to seeing how the project evolves over the coming years," said Mr Atkins.
