In 2021, The City of Ballarat Youth Council approached Chris Ashmore Media to help produce a series of podcasts highlighting issues Ballarat youth care about, including all too real challenges, achievements and lived experiences.

Episodes of IN MY SKIN – BALLARAT YOUTH STORIES include:

• Queer Matters

• Living and Thriving with a Disability

• Gender Equity

• Lived Experiences as a Young Person of Colour

• Climate Change

The concept, the design, the interviews and the recordings were all organised and conducted by Your Council members. It was a tremendous effort and valuable experience for the young people in Ballarat who were involved. All the more remarkable, considering much of it was conducted during COVID lockdowns and restrictions.

Chris Ashmore Media provided guidance and equipment, and edited and assembled each episode.

The podcast was embraced by the Ballarat community.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said ‘IN MY SKIN’ was an innovative approach to getting a very important voice heard by others.

“The City of Ballarat Youth Council is representative of a voice that is often overlooked or dismissed, and I commend this approach to inviting discussion on such influential issues,” he said.

“It is important that everyone understands what is meaningful to our youth. Whilst this is made for young people by young people, I am anticipating there will be a lot to be learnt by everyone on the powerful podcast topics.”