Magic Moments 2025
Impact Pillars
People, Capacity & Resources
Impact Areas
Education & Research
Inspiring the Leaders of Tomorrow: Magic Moments 2025
In July 2025, four passionate young locals from Woodend, Newham and Riddells Creek returned home from the 2025 Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit brimming with energy and inspiration for their future.
Held over five days, the summit is a national program designed to ignite leadership potential and spark entrepreneurial thinking in young people aged 14–17. For the 8th year running, Community Bank Gisborne & District was proud once again to support local students on this life-changing journey.
Our 2025 Magic Moments scholars
Jesse Warne, Sacred Heart College Kyneton
Jesse, a Newham local, returned from the summit with a personal goal: to start a business that helps young people improve their mental health through physical activity. He shared how transformational his experience was:
“I walked in a stranger and walked out with lifelong friends. The shared vulnerability and support created a space where I felt truly seen. Heather’s workshop taught me the power of authenticity, while the finance sessions sparked a real interest in investing and building wealth. Most importantly, I learned that leadership is about listening, learning, and leading with heart.”
Georgia Letson, Braemar College Woodend
Georgia from Woodend returned from the summit with a newfound confidence and determination to make an impact:
“When I first arrived at camp, I was unsure and felt like going home. Now, I am confident and prepared to make a difference. I have so many new friends, new ideas, and a new mindset on life, which I feel has made me an entirely new person.”
Alex Evans, Gisborne Secondary College
Alex, a Riddells Creek local, returned from the Summit with greater confidence to make friends in new situations:
“My favourite part of Magic Moments 2025 was meeting many like-minded young people and making lots of new friends, and improving myself along with them. I would like to use this experience to be a better leader and become school captain in year 12. I also plan to save money to attend the Summit again next year. ”
Susannah Murray, Gisborne Secondary College
Susannah from Riddells Creek returned from the Summit feeling more confident in herself and ready to make a contribution in her community:
“My biggest learnings are probably that you need to embrace fear to achieve success, learning about how to be my authentic self, and learning about how quickly we are to judge people and situations. I hope to make better connections and do more for the community in day-to-day life with these skills.”
Looking ahead
For the 2026 Summit, the Magic Moments Foundation will bring hundreds of youth from around Australia to our very own backyard - the Macedon Ranges - taking place at PGL Campaspe Downs, Tylden!