HEY Day: Advocacy and Activism

HEY DAY 2025: 

A one-day event, hosted in Bendigo, celebrating LGBTIQA+ young people and the advocacy work of the LGBTIQA+ sector in Victoria, presented by YACVic.

Who: 

• LGBTIQA+ young people (12-25) 
• allies AND 
• workers in the youth and LGBTIQA+ sector

On Friday March 28th, join us at Bendigo Bank Theatre (The Capitol, 50 View Street, Bendigo VIC) from 10am-4pm.

LGBTIQA+ young people (12-25) and youth workers are invited to join us for HEY Day in Bendigo, a one-day event celebrating advocacy, activism, and community for LGBTIQA+ young people in Victoria.

Hosted by YACVic, HEY Day is an annual day of learning, connecting, and celebrating the incredible work being done by, and for, LGBTIQA+ young people to improve their mental health and well-being outcomes across the state. Now more than ever, HEY Day is an important opportunity to join in collective advocacy, build support networks and highlight the amazing work being done in our communities to show our pride, love and support for queer young people. 

2025 HEY Day Lineup:                          

• ‘From Little Things - Big Things Grow’                                 

LGBTIQA+ young advocates and activists panel Q&A

• Learn To Lobby panel: hear top tips from MPs and community leaders                             
• Peer to Peer workshop: learn how to safely share your story through advocacy
• SMASH TRANSPHOBIA: navigating advocacy and activism in a hostile world 
• Collective Care Workshop: empowerment skills for LGBTIQA+ youth workers
  
• Advocacy for Advocates: learn insights from lived experience workers in the LGBTIQA+ youth sector
• Round 14 HEY Grant Announcement: Announcement of the Round 14 of the HEY Grants recipients, which will fund 13 community projects (including 8 Youth-Led initiatives!) with over $102,000. These projects are designed to foster connection, build community, and support the mental health and well-being of LGBTIQA+ young people; to create opportunities for youth leadership and to share pride in LGBTIQA+ identity.

Enjoy free food, queer joy, be part of a movement that celebrates, connects and empowers LGBTIQA+ young people here in Victoria.

Don’t miss out on this vibrant day of community, learning, and celebration! See you there!

*Additional information: Are you a school student who would like to attend HEY Day? Please let us know when you register for a ticket, and Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) will provide a letter to your school to support your attendance.

Access and Inclusion 

HEY takes access and inclusion seriously. We are committed to making every event as accessible as possible for all members of our community. 

The ticketing form shows a list of accessibility requirements and other ways that we can support you to attend. 

Contact us

This is a free, catered event happening on Friday, 28 March 2025, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in Bendigo. For any questions, contact Bec Shaw (sher/her), Rainbow Mental Health Policy and Projects Officer, at bshaw@yacvic.org.au.