In what could become a precursor to a new youth forum, 26 students from around the region joined secondary students from across Australia at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

Ararat Rural City Council sponsored two students each from the Ararat Community College, Lake Bolac Secondary College and Marian College to hear a raft of inspirational speakers.

They included Olympic gold medal swimming sensation Brooke Hansen, co-founder of the `School of Thinking', Dr Michael Hewitt-Gleeson, AFL legend Glenn Manton and Antarctic polar adventurer, Matt McFadyen.

Ararat Rural City's municipal recreation officer Rose Rowe said the day was organised by the Halogen Foundation and aimed to educate, motivate and inspire future leaders.

"The Council was very keen to sponsor students to attend this leadership day as part of its strategy to support and encourage leadership in young people," Ms Rowe said.

"Each of the students took something away from the day - there was not one person who did not feel in some way motivated or inspired by what they heard and saw on Wednesday.

"There was a great deal of positive feedback from the young people who attended, as well as the adults who accompanied them.

"Our hope now is that these students might come together again in some kind of regional leadership forum to discuss issues of concern to them and their communities."