Thirty-five children from across five municipalities – Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians and Horsham – discussed their thoughts in a video screened at the event in Horsham Town Hall.

Members of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership – which runs the assembly – collated the responses, and Natimuk artists Dave Jones created the video, with students’ voices overlaid on drawings and animations.

The children – who were not identified in the video – were given no prompts for what to say, other than to discuss the issues affecting them and the things they would most like to see in their area.

Among the responses were the need for more activities for young people, particularly those who did not play sport.

Transport and travel were also highlighted, with students expressing concerns about the availability of buses to get to larger places such as Melbourne and Bendigo for concerts, sport and other events. Students also wanted to food outlets established next to the Wimmera River.

They highlighted Mildura as an example, where cafes and restaurants along the Murray River attract crowds of people.

A greater range of shops – particularly clothing stores – was also mentioned.

“So often you’ll buy something and it will be free dress day at school and everyone’s wearing the same thing, because that’s all there is to buy,” one student said.

The video will be made available at engage.vic.gov.au/wimmera-southern-mallee.