Matthew Spiteri and Billy Metters are inspired and inspirational 16-year-olds.
For the past seven months, the Melton teenagers have been involved with the Western Bulldogs’ Whitten Project, which instills leadership skills in teenagers between 14 and 16.
And at their recent graduation ceremony, Billy received the project’s peer-nominated You Inspire Me Award from the rest of the 44 participants.
“I was kind of proud of myself because everything I put in during the seven months was recognised,” Billy says.
“It’s not that I wanted to be recognised, but it was nice to be noticed for doing what you’d been doing.”
Billy says the Whitten Project has helped him network within his own and the Western Bulldogs communities.
Schoolmate Matthew Spiteri, who was a runner-up for the award, says he was “amazed” his peers had perceived him as inspirational.
“I’ve grown as a person because of the Whitten Project,” Matthew says.
“I have more confidence to speak to people; I’ve learned how to approach people and speak to them; and I’m more professional when speaking to authority.”
Matthew says he would “definitely” recommend the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his peers.
