The Youth in the Spotlight event will feature a photo and short biography of people aged 12-24 who have contributed to the community through volunteer work or other means. 

City of Greater Bendigo Youth Councillor Billie Taylor said young people were encouraged to nominate themselves or a friend.

"We thought it was important to break the stigma that young people are a problem in the community," she said. "We wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate all the great things young people are doing."

One of the young people being showcased in the exhibition is 19-year-old Brody McDowell. The second-year law and business student at La Trobe University Bendigo is an active member of the community.

Mr McDowell is the finance and resources chair for the Bendigo Student Association, a member of the La Trobe student ambassador team, and is the vice-president of the Bendigo Law and Criminality Society.

Read more: City of Greater Bendigo's first Youth Council sworn in

"We provide professional services and events so students can meet lawyers and get more clarity about what they want to do in the future," he said. 

Mr McDowell said a friend nominated him for the exhibition after he noticed all of the leadership roles he was taking on in the community.  

He said it was great that young people were being acknowledged for their work.

"I think it's fantastic that youth are being recognised as contributing members of society," he said. "It's good to see young leaders are being recognised as a driving force in Bendigo."

The Youth in the Spotlight exhibition is being launched on Saturday at the Rock & Amp: Raw FReeZA event on Pall Mall.

Exhibition entries will then be on display at the Bendigo Library and Hargreaves Street Mall during Victorian Youth Week (April 5-14). 

"If you or someone you know contributes to and does amazing things for our community, please share their photo and story with us so it can be put in the spotlight," Ms Taylor said. 

You can enter your nomination at yobendigo.com.au/whats-on/youth-in-the-spotlight

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