Her group ExtremeInc aims to develop these skills and help build better communities for young people in central Victoria.

As the director of Movement Zone Dance School in Castlemaine, Ms Cook saw first hand the power of dance.

Along with students, parents and teachers she realised the need for a new regional youth group.

“We need better systems in place to help young people grow and learn.

“In my experience, the arts can offer roles in performance, organisation and mentoring,” Ms Cook said.

One of the programs being run is “Cool to be You”, involving a group of at-risk kids working on a hip-hop project.

“They get free classes, and we are working on a show using hip-hop and break dances around body image and pressures at school,” Ms Cook said.

A big focus for ExtremeInc is a concert and dance performance in Castlemaine next February featuring the work of the students, locals and guests from across the state.

ExtremeInc is calling for philanthropic, government, community and business support.