North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) set a challenge for Gen Z to put down their phones and get connected to nature with their Unplug & Play campaign, and they responded.

After receiving applications from around the country, the winners have been announced – Bendigo local Kai Humphrey and Melbournian Jessie Manuelyan.

Kai and Jessie have secured spots in the Unplug & Play epic Bendigo Creek Journey starting Monday, 6 May that will see them paddling in kayaks from Bendigo to Gunbower.

A film crew with follow their every move as they tackle obstacles, attempt challenges, camp and hope to win $2500 at its completion.

The content will create a You Tube documentary to showcase the ecological importance of waterways across the region and showcase what’s in and around Bendigo Creek.

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You may recognise local winner Kai Humphrey as he participated in the promo photo shoot for the campaign.

The 17-year-old from Bendigo loved it so much he decided to apply himself.

“My love for media and video games are a large influence in my life and when we took the photos for the campaign shoot, I realised how much I’ve missed learning about my homeland as I’ve been consumed by my screen,” Kai said.

Using his phone up to eight hours a day and his computer for up to five hours a night, Kai jokes, “my headphones are practically fused to my head”.

Nursing student Jessie Manuelyan, 21, describes herself as a candy crush fanatic who loves doing activities in the wilderness, “Everyone’s told me if you put me in the desert, I’ll find my way back home.

“If I see a spider or a snake then it may be game over, but this experience will be amazing,” Jessie said.

The Unplug & Play Campaign couldn’t have come at a better time with new analysis from the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that Gen Z (15-24 years) had the highest proportion (22%) who participated in digital games in a day, which doubled the next highest, Millennials (25 to 39 years) at 11%.

The North Central CMA is invested in building happier and healthier communities through access to nature, human interaction and the experience of the outdoors.

“After seeing the research highlighting how disconnected Gen Z felt from their environment, and the flow on affect that has for not just them but their community, North Central CMA wanted to engage with them,” North Central CMA’s project manager Kristie Smith said.

“We knew we would have to try something different and with applicants from every state and our Instagram reach up over 927%, the Unplug & Play campaign has delivered.

“We want to show Gen Z the magnificence of our region and what it has to offer, as well as promote the work the CMA does in connecting rivers, landscapes, and people.

Mrs Smith is looking forward to seeing how the journey impacts them and what they take away from the whole experience.

The Unplug & Play journey starts Monday 6 May with updates across North Central CMA’s Instagram and facebook each day.