News

Leaders reconvene to further youth violence conversation

By Bree Harding

Sep 16, 2026

Department of Education Goulburn area executive director for education Sharon Hensgen-Smith. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

A leadership group that came together at a forum in July to hash out a plan to tackle Greater Shepparton’s youth violence issues has reconvened, this time inviting practitioners to join the conversation.

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Department of Education Goulburn area executive director for education Sharon Hensgen-Smith said there were several recommendations that came from the included stakeholders from Goulburn Valley schools, community organisations and agencies, sporting and cultural groups, industry representatives and police, on July 21.

Three of the recommendations were addressed in the latest meeting, held on September 9, with attendees hearing from representatives of the Youth Voice, Education Engagement and the Youth Cautioning Panel.

“Guest speakers took us deeper into how we can support them,” Ms Hensgen-Smith said.

“Our ultimate goal is community conversation.

“It’s about embedding an understanding first; how we can better work together, better than we already do and making sure we’re all doing work that aligns with each other’s work.”

Ms Hensgen-Smith said it made sense for leadership teams and practitioners to work together, as they were the ones delivering the work on the ground, but that getting results took time.

The group is building a partnership with the Victorian Government’s Violence Reduction Unit as it builds a future strategy for the region.

Greater Shepparton police Superintendent Brett Kahan also spoke to The News following the first forum, but declined to comment this time, due to time restrictions.

A date for the next meeting has not yet been confirmed, but it’s likely to take place in November.