This document provides a summary of various programs funded by the Victorian Government to support young people. It describes initiatives such as Advance, AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporter Program, Be Heard! and SYN Media, Centre for Multicultural Youth, Engage!, FReeZA, and Get Published. For each initiative, it provides a brief description of the program goals and impact, such as the number of young people served each year. The summary also includes a short section about the Victorian Government's vision for young people to experience healthy and fulfilling lives with opportunities to achieve their potential.

1. PAGE 1
INSPIRING
STORIES
by
young Victorians

2. Published by the
Victorian Government,
Melbourne, August 2014.
© State of Victoria 2014
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced
in any process except in accordance with the provisions
of the Copyright Act 1968.
Authorised by the Victorian Government Melbourne
Artwork by SKYS Design
For more information contact the
Community and Economic Participation Branch
Department of Human Services
GPO Box 4057
Melbourne 3001
Email: inspiringstories @dhs.vic.gov.au
St Kilda Youth Service (SKYS), are specialists in engaging young people with
complex needs through our young person centered approach. We’re a proud
innovative, entrepreneurial not-for-profit organisation. SKYS Design is our graphic
design social enterprise that supports our objectives for long term sustainability.
SKYS Design is a professional graphic design studio based in our St Kilda office.
We have been serving the social purpose and not for profit community since
July 2010. We specialise in print and web design solutions for social purpose
organisations and we strive to communicate our clients’ value and social purpose
to their community of supporters and partners.
Wherever possible, we engage SKYS students in the development of initial
concepts and seek their feedback on the ongoing development of design briefs.

3. PAGE V
Ministerial Foreword – Inspiring Stories
Every day, young people are making an
enormous contribution to life in Victoria.
The Victorian Government recognises that
young Victorians are vital to our state, both now
and into the future.
Our vision is for all young Victorians to
experience healthy, active and fulfilling lives,
and to have the opportunity to achieve their
potential, participate in the workforce and be
involved in their community.
Through the Victorian Government’s Youth
Statement Engage, Involve, Create, we are
delivering a range of programs that enable young
people to be engaged in education, training and
employment pathways; involved in decision
making in their local community and supported
to create enterprise and culture.
Over the past four years, the Victorian
Government has supported over 200,000
young people each year through many different
initiatives, such as Advance, Engage!, FReeZA
and Youth Central, and through our new
programs, including the Youth Enterprise
Strategy, Shape It!, the Exchange and Wakakirri.
Every year, we receive reports from our partner
organisations who are delivering these programs
and we hear about how many young people have
been assisted to develop new skills, contribute
to their community, build their confidence and
forge their future.
However, beyond the statistics and reports are
the personal stories of each young person who
has participated in one of our programs and the
impact this has had on their life.
In this book over sixty inspiring young Victorians
who have been involved in these government
supported or initiated programs share their
personal journeys with us.
From starting their own business, delivering
community projects, driving social change,
working on environmental sustainability, and
engaging with other young people, these young
Victorians are leading the way.
It is a privilege and honour to read the stories
that these young people have written and to
reflect on how our programs are making a real
difference to young people’s lives.
I would like to thank all of the talented young
story tellers for sharing their experiences and
aspirations for the future with us.
I would also like to thank families, friends and
our partner organisations for supporting the
involvement of young people in this project.
Only by continuing to support young people will
Victoria continue to prosper and lead.
The Hon Ryan Smith MP
Minister for Youth Affairs

4. CONTENTS
Inspiring stories from young Victorians
Ministerial Foreword iv
The Victorian Government’s Youth Statement –
Engage, Involve, Create 6
Ror Akot - Engage! 10
Pieta Bucello – Getting Down to Business 11
Audrey Flannery - Be Heard! 12
Te Manawanui Paraha - Wakakirri 14
Maddison Parker - The Victorian Young Achiever
Awards 2014 16
Matthew Calleja - The Victorian Young Achiever of the
Year 2014 18
Lillian Fry-McBean - 1st Castlemaine Guides 19
Sam Maloney - SYN Media / Be Heard! 22
Nicolette Forte - FReeZA 24
Lauren Dempsey - Engage! 26
Jamin Heppell - NEW GEN Crunch 28
Linda Kabasha - Catholic Regional College Sydenham
Venturer Scout Unit 30
Jack McDonald - The Reach Foundation 32
Rebecca Nielsen - Mt Waverley Kanyaka-Yakkana
Guides 34
James Plummer - Ogilvy Rover Scout Crew at 1st
Emerald Scout Group 36
Fostin Nshimirimana - Engage! 38
Maddie Pearce - The Reach Foundation 39
Annabelle Pendlebury - Engage! 42

5. Ryan Anderson Smith – Getting Down to Business 44
David Schout - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters 46
Alice Louis Csabi - Heathmont Talowa Guides 48
Bianca Gawith - Be Heard! / SYN Media 50
Ashley Pert - Cardinia FReeZA 52
Joely Mitchell - Engage! 54
Daniel Flynn - The Victorian Young Achiever of the
Year 2013 56
Cat Fagan - Getting Down to Business 58
Hayden Layton - NEW GEN Thrive 59
Philip Liberatore - Involve Committee 62
Rachel Furolo - Youth Central Roving Reporters 64
Jennifer Elcock - Wangaratta Monak Guides 66
Stephanie Limm - Change It Up 68
Aleisha Lannigan - Engage! 70
James Rogers - The Reach Foundation 72
Reni Maddaford - Wakakirri 74
Talin Hadlow - Engage! 76
Ben Rowles - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters 78
Madeline Walter - FReeZA 80
Andrew Stallion - Engage! 81
Nick - Engage! 82
Catherine Payne - Winner of the Minister for Youth
Affairs Sustainability Award 2014 84
Paul Bastin - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters 86
Tess Lawley - SYN Media 88
Sean Porter - Engage! 90
Bethany Knight - The Reach Foundation 92
Damien Mauch - Engage! 94
Velocity - Engage! 96
Jack Hicks - 1st Emerald Scout Group 97
Jonathan Brown - SYN Media / NEW GEN Thrive 100
Sam Heywood - Shape It! 102
Zac Slattery - Involve Committee / National Youth
Week 104
Marnie Banger - Youth Central Roving Reporters 106
Nathan Eva - Involve Committee 108
Michael Casha - SYN Media / Involve Committee 110
Miquaelia Haywood - Change It Up 112
Michael Hardinge - FReeZA 114
Brady Price - Engage! 116
Shelby Garlick - Shape It! / Youth Parliament 118
Anne Fedorowytsch - AFL Youth Central Rookie
Reporter 120
Duer Yoa - Centre for Multicultural Youth 122
Cici Zhang - Centre for Multicultural Youth 124
Sarah - Engage! 126
Cyber Cats Program - It’s There for Life 127
Southern Autistic School - Advance 129
Casterton Secondary College - Advance 130

6. PAGE 6
The Victorian Government’s vision for
young Victorians is that they all experience
healthy, active and fulfilling lives and have
the opportunity to achieve their full potential,
participate in the workforce and be involved in
their community.
Some of the key initiatives funded by the
Victorian Government include:
Advance
Advance is a secondary school program that
provides over $4 million per annum in funding
to over 420 schools across Victoria. The
program encourages students in years 7 to 12
to make a difference in their communities by
volunteering in a project or with an organisation
of their choice. Each year, over 20,000 students
volunteer with local community organisations
through the Advance program.
AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporter Program
Established in 2012, through an innovative
partnership between the AFL and the Victorian
Government, the AFL Youth Central Rookie
Reporter program offers budding sports
journalists placements with AFL Media. Under
the guidance of senior editorial staff, Rookie
Reporters are mentored and trained in all aspects
of media. In 2013, five young people were placed
at AFL Media and a further two young people
were placed in 2014.
The Victorian Government’s Youth Statement –
Engage, Involve, Create
Be Heard! and SYN Media
The Community Radio Initiative, which
incorporates Be Heard! and SYN Media receives
$100,000 funding per annum. Be Heard! has
provided grants to community radio stations
in rural and regional areas to provide training,
work experience and other career development
opportunities for young people interested in
a career in radio. SYN Media - a youth-run
organisation that operates the SYN FM radio
station also supports young people to develop
broadcast media skills.
Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)
CMY is the lead organisation in Victoria for
multicultural and refugee young people. CMY
provides advice to government and delivers
projects that support young people in community
participation, decision-making and leadership.
It works in partnership with local organisations
including schools, universities, learning and
employment networks, local government and
youth services. Regional CMY offices located in
Ballarat and Morwell were established in 2012
and are funded by the Victorian Government.
Engage!
Engage! supports local government, community
organisations and other service providers to
develop programs that enable young people to
participate in and benefit from civic, economic

7. PAGE 7
and social activities in their community. Each
year, over 35,000 young people participate in
Engage! projects and activities. Between 2012 and
2014, 102 providers received funding through
this $12.3 million program.
FReeZA
Supported by $2.4 million funding per annum,
FReeZA gives young people the chance to
organise and attend supervised music events
that are drug, alcohol and smoke free. Funding
is provided to local government and community
organisations to support local FReeZA
committees and events which are run by young
people for young people. Each year, over 130,000
young people attend events organised by FReeZA
committees. The FReeZA program also supports
the FReeZA mentoring program and the Push
Start Battle of the Bands competition, which
culminates with a grand final at the annual Push
Over Festival.
Get Published
Get Published (formally Youth Central Roving
Reporter program) offers young people aged
between 16 and 25 the opportunity to write for
Youth Central. The Get Published program has
seen the publication of over 125 articles on Youth
Central and 26 young people have been promoted
through the program from Guest Reporters to
Roving Reporters.
Involve Committee
The Involve Committee is the official Victorian
Government Youth Ministerial Advisory
Committee. Nineteen young people from across
Victoria and from all walks of life participate in
the Involve Committee. The Involve Committee
consults with young people on different topics
and develops advice which is formally presented
to the Minister for Youth Affairs.
It’s There for Life
Supported by $400,000 of funding the It’s
There for Life grants educate and encourage
young people to be safe and responsible on line.
Eighteen organisations across Victoria received
funding for projects that support young people to
be responsible digital citizens and to understand
cyber-safety.
National Youth Week
Held in April each year, National Youth Week
is a celebration of the achievements of young
people. National Youth Week grants funded by
the Victorian and Australian Governments are
available for projects, events and activities that
are planned and organised by young people for
young people. Each year, over 20,000 young
people participate in National Youth Week
events across Victoria.

8. PAGE 8
The Minister for Youth Affairs also appoints
a National Youth Week Victorian Young
Member to represent the state and promote the
celebrations to young people.
Scouts and Guides
The Victorian Government has provided $5 million
to support Scouts Victoria and Girl Guides
Victoria. The funding has supported the upgrade
of over 96 Scout and Guide facilities across Victoria.
It has also contributed to volunteer training and
innovative programs to encourage young people
from multicultural communities to join and
experience the benefits of Scouts and Guides.
Shape It!
Shape It! aims to increase the participation of
young people in rural and regional Victoria in
community decision-making and to strengthen
their connection to the community where
they live. Backed by funding of $3.2 million the
strategy has supported:
Local Government Youth Inclusion grants to
encourage local governments to better engage
with and include young people in rural and
regional communities
Shape It! grants for youth-led projects that
make a positive difference in the community
Change It Up, a partnership with the
Foundation for Young Australians, which
delivers workshops and an annual state-wide
forum for young change makers in rural and
regional Victoria.
The Exchange website, which was launched
in March 2014, to support young Victorians in
Youth Advisory Groups to be more connected,
share information and resources, test ideas
and learn from each other. The Exchange is
also a place for the Victorian Government to
consult with young people across Victoria.
The Enterprise Strategy for Young Victorians
Backed by a $2 million investment, The
Victorian Government’s Enterprise Strategy for
Young Victorians encourages and supports
entrepreneurship and innovation amongst young
people in Victoria.
Getting Down to Business, delivered through
Enterprising Partnerships Pty Ltd, provides
tailored training, mentoring and specialised
support for young people who want to grow
their existing business, start one from scratch
or commercialise their new idea or innovation.
NEW GEN Crunch and NEW GEN Thrive,
delivered through Social Traders Ltd, provide
training and support for both new and
existing youth-led social enterprises who
want to deliver better social outcomes via an
enterprise model.

9. PAGE 9
The Reach Foundation
The Victorian Government has partnered with
the Reach Foundation and provided $617,000
funding to expand the delivery of the highly
successful Birdcage and Locker Room peer-to-
peer programs to a further 6,600 young people
across Victoria. The funding also supports the
development of a new smartphone app that will
provide easily accessible online resources to
enhance the wellbeing of young people.
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards
acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding
achievements of young Victorians in a range of
categories ranging from science and technology,
arts and small business to volunteering. In
2014, the Victorian Government sponsored the
Small Business Achievement Award and the
Sustainability Award.
Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge
The Wakakirri Secondary School Challenge
invites students from across Victoria to create
a story that has real meaning for them and
to perform that story through dance, creative
movement and acting. Students get a chance
to flex their creative skills and discover career
pathways, in a professional and competitive
environment. Through the competition, over
1,000 students produce short stage productions
and compete for state and national titles. The
Victorian Government provided $200,000
sponsorship for the Wakakirri Secondary School
Challenge in both 2013 and 2014.
Youth Central
Youth Central is the Victorian Government’s
website for young people aged 12 to 25. It
provides a range of information and advice about
important topics like jobs, study, health, money,
transport, housing, rights, online safety and
government programs and initiatives. The site
received 2.13 million unique visitors in 2013–14,
an increase of 530,000 from the previous year.
Youth Parliament
The Victorian Government partners with the
YMCA Victoria to deliver the annual Victorian
Youth Parliament program. For one week in July,
up to 120 young people from across Victoria get
the opportunity to express their views and debate
Bills on issues that are important to them in at the
chambers at Parliament House. Youth Parliament
enables teams of young people to research topics,
prepare draft laws, debate them and present
them to the Minister for Youth Affairs.
For more information about the Victorian
Government’s programs for young people, visit
www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au.

10. PAGE 10
Ror Akot - Engage!
My name is Ror. I am 17 years of age. I was born
in Sudan and at the age of 9 I immigrated to
Australia with my mother, brother and sisters. I
now live in Fitzroy and I am studying at Fitzroy
High School. I’m also a hip hop artist.
Year 12 has been good this year. It’s important
for me to finish year 12 because I will have more
options. I am interested in music and sports.
I love playing Aussie Rules and my favourite
hobby is music.
I love music especially rap, as it’s a way you can
express who you truly are. Through rap, there is
a lot of story telling. When I first started listening
to rap, I was never expecting to become a rapper,
but now that I’ve touched the microphone there
is no letting it go.
I started to rap in 2012 through Rising High,
which is a music program run by the City of
Yarra. I found out about this program through
my friends who are into music. I decided to
participate because my friends were into writing
music and I just felt like I had heaps of stories to
tell the world. My music speaks of the hardships
and triumphs I’ve experienced in my young life.
While I was participating in this program I have
learned how to work with younger people. I also
learned a lot about the music industry - like the
production and business aspects. I’ve recently
released my first studio album “Hear Me Ror” and
I also have a website.
Through the program I’ve worked with music
industry professionals and learned the skills
needed to work with young people and older
people.
Throughout this program, I’ve also learned a
bit about myself. I’ve learned that I have lots of
stories to tell and I’ve also learned that I am a
leader and people really look up to me. Through
this program, I’ve changed a lot. I have become
more ambitious to succeed in life and to give
it my all. I have had a great journey and this
program has taken me to an amazing place -
where people really like what I do and some
have even made a documentary about my hip
hop dream.
“I have had a great journey
and this program has taken
me to an amazing place
- where people really like
what I do...”
© Justin Leijon Photography
Engage! is is funded by the Victorian Government

11. PAGE 11
Pieta Bucello – Getting Down to Business
My name is Pieta Bucello and I am from
Gippsland. With a background in food retail,
catering and nutrition, I currently work as a
Health Promotion Officer on projects aimed
at improving food literacy in my community.
Outside work, my interests include cooking,
bushwalking, playing guitar and travel.
With a passion for fresh and sustainable food,
I have been exploring the idea of starting up
a food business that provides tasty, healthy
food that is convenient and affordable. Having
limited experience and skills to start a new
business myself, I saw Getting Down to Business
(GD2B) as the perfect opportunity to meet other
young people in a similar position, connect with
mentors and further develop my business ideas.
Throughout the program I have been able to
draw on the skills, knowledge and resources
provided through the GD2B mentors, guest
speakers and other participants. The ‘pitch’ days
have provided a great opportunity to meet up
with my group, hear from entrepreneurs about
their successes and challenges and update each
other on the progress of our start-ups. Getting
Down to Business has opened up a whole new
world of people, experiences and opportunities
that I would never have been exposed to.
To assist in making the most of the opportunities
provided by GD2B, I took three weeks annual
leave from my work in Gippsland, to attend Small
Business Festival Victoria events in Melbourne.
I also used this time to conduct market research,
develop my business plan, identify suppliers and
begin the process of developing my brand. I’ve
also been able to meet up with my group’s coach
and other participants to organise a joint market
stall to promote our new products.
Through GD2B, I was able to consolidate my
food business ideas and put them into a timeline
of what is achievable for me. I can see many
opportunities to learn through this business
venture and for it to grow and evolve over time.
With only a few months left of the program
I’m pleased with what I have achieved so far.
I’ve learnt a lot about what it takes to be an
entrepreneur and have gained knowledge, skills
and networks that can support my business into
the future. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know
the other participants, coaches and mentors and
hope to stay connected to them into the future.
Getting Down to Business
is funded by the Victorian Government
“I’ve learnt a lot about
what it takes to be an
entrepreneur and have
gained knowledge, skills and
networks that can support
my business into the future.”

12. PAGE 12
Audrey Flannery - Be Heard!
My name is Audrey Flannery. I’m 14 years old
and in Year 8 at Assumption College in Kilmore.
I enjoy dancing, reading, spending time on the
Murray River with my family, listening to and
researching music and, of course, spending time
at our local radio station OKR FM.
In the summer holidays of 2011/2012 Mum saw
an ad in the local paper, inviting young people
to learn about community broadcasting as part
of a program called ‘Be Heard!’. Mum suggested
I check it out and she probably did that because
I focus most of my time and energy on music; I
have since I was really little.
I emailed the station manager Lewy and started
training and learning everything I could. Lewy
showed me the ropes and taught me some of
the rules and regulations about community
broadcasting and, before I knew it, Mark and
Lewy asked if I’d like to present a regular show.
A huge part of the ‘Be Heard!’ program at OKR
FM was the Young Presenter’s Quest in 2012.
Even though I was already spending time at the
station, I was really keen to be involved. To enter
the Young Presenter’s Quest, I prepared a show
with the help of one of the station’s sponsors and
was lucky enough to be announced joint winner.
The experience definitely gave me the confidence
to continue to be involved at OKR FM.
I now present a weekly show every Thursday
called ‘The Freak Show’. Two and a half years
ago, I started there as a young person who didn’t
really fit in anywhere, due to years of being
bullied. My involvement at OKR FM has been
life-changing and now I feel like I belong. I’m
more confident and I’m focused on achieving my
dreams. I’ve learnt to be proud of who I am.
Recently, I presented my 100th Freak Show.
With the help of some of the amazing volunteers
at BlazeAid and the Kilmore CFA, we put
together an amazing show. This was definitely
one of the biggest highlights of my time at OKR
FM to date.
The learning never stops, covering things like:
getting on air, how to use technical equipment,
the regulations, code of conduct and legislation
for community broadcasting and, of course, the
practise of being a great presenter. I learned
about this from everyone up there. But the main
thing I learn from my OKR FM family is to be
comfortable with myself and to just go in there
and do whatever feels right. It’s a place where
nothing else matters – no school, no competition,

13. PAGE 13
no negativity, no judgement. It’s a place where
you’re actually welcomed and valued for your
interests and individuality.
I’d love a career in radio and being involved in
community broadcasting is a great way to learn
about what it takes on a professional level. As
well as being a hobby, being involved at OKR
FM is a step towards a career in journalism and
it can be my way of showing my future teachers
and employers that I’m dedicated and passionate
about the industry.
I definitely have to say that the most amazing part
of being involved in the ‘Be Heard!’ project through
OKR FM has been meeting extraordinary people
who inspire me. I’ve been blessed with being able
to hear so many inspirational stories first hand,
including those from our local area’s amazing
volunteers. These people are changing the world
with kindness, love and compassion on all levels
- from our awesome volunteer team at OKR
FM to the local CFA volunteers protecting our
community, to a national level where I’ve met
people who travel the country, helping to rebuild
lives after natural disasters.
I love the idea that maybe one day I can inspire
and help young people to feel better about
themselves and do what makes them happy.
Still, the biggest reward to me is being inspired
by others. I love ‘being heard’ and sharing my
passion for music, but the greatest gift has
been being able to hear others. The ‘Be Heard!’
program with OKR FM made that possible. I’m
grateful to everyone involved in giving me that
opportunity and believing in me. It has definitely
changed my life.
“I’m grateful to everyone involved in giving me that
opportunity and believing in me. It has definitely
changed my life.”
Be Heard! is funded by the Victorian Government

14. PAGE 14
Te Manawanui Paraha - Wakakirri
My name is Te Manawanui Paraha, I am 18 and
live in Wyndham Vale. I am currently studying
dance through a VET Cert 2 at Hoppers Crossing
Secondary College, under the direction of my
dance teacher, Mrs Bridgette Afuie. My teacher
and her husband, Junior, also support my passion
for dance through my participation in R&R
Dance Crew Varsity. Our crew recently won the
Victorian Step Off! Competition and will now
battle at the House of Champions in Brisbane.
I am also currently training for the national
competition called Battlegrounds where if, as a
crew, we perform well we will be given a world
ranking. I also enjoy passing my dance skills on to
my younger relatives who are unable to afford or
who do not have access to the same opportunities
as myself. In terms of my employment, I instruct
bounce techniques at Flip Out in Altona.
I became aware of the Hoppers Crossing
Secondary College’s involvement in Wakakirri
through my dance teacher. The importance
of participating in this was reiterated through
the excitement of the other students at school,
particularly my VET class and the Year Seven
students.
I participated in Wakakirri because I thought it was
a good opportunity to gain experience in a wide
variety of performing arts roles. Primarily I wanted
to learn how to instruct or teach choreography to
students at a variety of ages and skill levels. The
large scale of the production was something new
to me and I wanted to push myself; this was only
possible through peer collaboration with other
VET students and seniors.
I was the main choreographer and assisted my
peers with the creation of the storyline through
collaborative brainstorming. During Wakakirri it
was also important that planning, development
and production would be mentored by my
teachers. This allowed me to gain insight into
industry standard performing arts concepts.
I was quite shocked to achieve the award of Best
Supporting Male and win the Jason Coleman
Scholarship at Ministry of Dance. I was very
proud of the whole production and the fact that
all the hard work was reflected in the awards
our school achieved. These awards included Best
Blockbuster, as well as Best Choreography and
Best Entertainment.

15. PAGE 15
“The most powerful experience I had was watching what I
had worked so hard to create with my peers from Hoppers
Crossing Secondary College come to life... ”
The whole ‘Feel the Beat’ production and the
awards we received as a school promoted the
importance of dance and the arts at Hoppers
Crossing Secondary College. School recognition
is really important because, for students from
a tough background, including refugees, it
gives them a positive extracurricular activity to
participate in such as dance, backstage and
set design.
The main challenges I faced during Wakakirri
were related to time management and working
within a strict budget. In a way these worked
together, forcing us to work hard to ensure our
production was the best we could provide. Our
school doesn’t ask us for an admission or costume
fee which allows all students the opportunity to
perform and participate in Wakakirri.
I have learned the importance of working
with younger students. This really built up my
patience and people skills. I also realised from this
production that I want to be a choreographer or
teach professionally.
I believe I have matured both as a dancer and a
person through Wakakirri. I think I always knew
I was a good dancer but it was great to confirm
this through the competition recognition, from my
peers, school and other members of the public.
The most powerful experience I had was
watching what I had worked so hard to create
with my peers from Hoppers Crossing Secondary
College come to life - the recorded Wakakirri
‘Feel the Beat’ production.
I believe that in Australia I have had many more
opportunities available to me than I would have
had in New Zealand.
Wakakirri is funded by the Victorian Government

16. PAGE 16
Maddison Parker - The Victorian Young Achiever Awards 2014
I always knew something was different about me.
I saw so many doctors before I was diagnosed
with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at the age of 6.
Now, 5 years later I am still learning how to live
with it and manage how hard my life is!
Thinking back, my earliest memories are seeing
many doctors and having test after test. There
were needles and MRI’s, different sorts of scans
and the pain of having to lie still for them all.
My worst memory is when I was 5, a doctor told
me the pain I felt was in my head. My whole
body hurt, it couldn’t possibly be in my head. A
year later mum found a doctor at the children’s
hospital who believed me. He was a geneticist
who knew straight away I had Ehlers Danlos
Syndrome. I couldn’t believe that we had finally
found out why I was in so much pain and for
that I am really grateful. I remember him telling
mum there was no cure or treatment and
wishing her luck!
Having EDS means that I have faulty collagen.
So the glue that holds the body together isn’t
very strong. It makes my joints very loose and
I dislocate easily. I get tired really quickly, my
muscles aren’t very strong and can’t always
do the work my ligaments should. It has also
meant that I suffer from POTS. This means that
the blood doesn’t always make it to my brain
properly so my heart races, I get dizzy and I
can’t speak properly. It affects my digestion so I
get tummy pains, scoliosis and I have Reynaud’s
which makes my fingers and toes really cold and
really sore.
Learning to live with EDS is a daily struggle.
Every day is different. Some days I wake up with
dislocations and high pain and other days I don’t.
Some days I can walk and run and other days I
have to use a wheelchair. I have to think about
every little thing I do and decide what is most
important. If I run around with my friends today
it could mean I can’t get up tomorrow. If I choose
to make toast for breakfast it could mean I can’t
write at school that day. I can’t do things just
because it sounds fun like my friends, I have to
always think of the consequences.
I am lucky though because I have met people
along the way who’ve helped me realise that I
don’t have to sit on the side lines and stop being
me! When I was 7, I met a teacher who told me
that being different means I am unique and she
showed me that being different is what makes
me, me. The following year I met another teacher

17. PAGE 17
“Sitting down to speak to the Prime Minister has
been a goal of mine since beginning my campaign.
Now it is actually going to happen.”
who encouraged me to focus on my strengths,
like academics. This has helped me understand
that my life is not just EDS. She taught me to
write from the heart and follow my dreams. She
told me anything was possible.
I learnt a lot about me in those 2 years! I know I
will always have EDS and that I will always have
pain and struggles, but I also know that I am
Maddison. Being Maddison, means that I can be
and do anything I put my mind to. This is where
my EDS Awareness Campaign began.
I was 9 when I first realised that EDS had an
awareness month. I got involved by writing to
the papers and current affairs shows but no one
replied. I was really frustrated. At the same time
my little sister, who also has EDS, was getting
more and more tired and sore. I didn’t and don’t
want her to feel the pain that I feel so I had to
change it. I had to make people aware of EDS so
her life would hopefully be better.
It started with a letter to the world that I wrote
and mum emailed to people in her contacts list. I
asked people to keep emailing it. I received 100s
of replies from strangers all over the world telling
me they spent 5 minutes and looked up EDS!
This was exciting! I made a YouTube video and
mum set up a Facebook page for me. I try and
update the page as often as possible giving people
a little look into my life. Amazingly, I have over
2500 people following me.
Last year I spent all of May fundraising for
the ConnecTeD foundation and handing out
information sheets on EDS. It was very successful
and at the end of May I had raised over $13,000
for EDS research. Kayla and I were named by The
ConnecTeD Foundation their youth ambassadors
in June, which was a huge honour.
This year, I focused on raising awareness with
doctors, specialists, allied health people, and
students. In all the hospitals I have been to there
is no place we really fit. My next goal is to have
a department specialising in EDS. Having a rare
disability doesn’t mean we don’t matter.
I have won several awards since starting my
campaign including the Pride of Australia Child
Courage Award, Youth Citizen of the Year for
Melton Council, and most recently the Victorian
Young Achiever Award for Community Service
and Volunteering. This last award has had the
biggest impact on my campaign by opening doors
that I never thought possible! I met and spoke
with the Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith
who not only supported my ideas but wrote to
the Prime Minister on my behalf! As a result a
meeting is being scheduled. Sitting down to speak
to the Prime Minister has been a goal of mine
since beginning my campaign. Now it is actually
going to happen.
I know I am only 11 and that I have a disability
but that doesn’t mean I don’t matter. I am going
to change the way the world thinks about EDS. I
am going to change the way it’s treated for every
sufferer of EDS. Having a disability doesn’t define
who you are. Life is about making the most of
what you have been given and that is what I
want to do!
The Victorians Young Achiever Awards
are supported by the Victorian Government

18. PAGE 18
Matthew Calleja - The Victorian Young Achiever of the Year 2014
Now in its seventh year, MRC Performance is
an established car performance parts specialist
and, as a 24-year-old, I have been recognised for
my work in winning the Victorian Government
Small Business Award and the overall Victorian
Young Achiever of the Year Award.
My wife nominated me for the awards without
me knowing. I was oblivious until the start of
this year when the shortlists were announced.
I couldn’t believe I’d won the Victorian
Government Small Business Award, so when
my name was announced as the winner of the
overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, it
was a dream come true.
I was shocked just to be recognised for small
business in itself and then getting the Young
Achiever Award overall was incredibly crazy.
Although I didn’t always have a desire to own my
own business, my passion for cars is long held
and I recognised that there was a great market
for car modifications and performance parts. I
could see that this gap in the market was a great
opportunity and so I decided to start my own
business. While facing a host of difficulties in
building the business up, hard work has now paid
off, establishing a well-formed team of six with a
strong customer base.
One aspect that sets my business apart from
others is its focus on giving back to the
community. Growing up in an area surrounded
by bush land in Greater Melbourne, I witnessed
bushfires every few years and recognised how
community members were put on edge as a
result. When I moved to Lilydale I vowed to get
involved in fundraising for the CFA to assist in
providing necessary support to an worthy cause.
I wanted to make a point of trying to not just be
in Lilydale and suck as much out of it as possible
but to also give back and contribute. It’s a big
thing to help the CFA out when they’re helping
us out.
MRC Performance holds an open day once a
year in which customers can come together to
display their cars and get information about
modifications and products, with those in
attendance making a donation to the CFA.
Monthly barbeques are also held and customers
can come along and make a donation as well.
My vision is to develop my business to have even
more of a manufacturing focus and bring back
manufacturing to Australia.
“I was shocked... To be
recognised for small
business in itself and then
getting the Young Achiever
Award overall was
incredibly crazy.”
The Victorians Young Achiever Awards
are supported by the Victorian Government

19. PAGE 19
Lillian Fry-McBean - 1st Castlemaine Guides
My name is Lillian Fry-McBean. I am a 20-year-
old student at Federation University Ballarat,
studying Primary Education, and I am a
passionate Girl Guide Leader. I have been a Girl
Guide Victoria member for almost a decade. My
twin sister joined and convinced me and my
whole family to join. Since then Guiding has
changed my life.
Girl Guides has helped me grow from a cautious
‘tween’ into the assertive young woman I am
today. Guiding is constantly compelling me to
meet new people, test my abilities, develop my
self confidence and help me to step outside the
restraints of my comfort zone. Girl Guiding in the
country town of Castlemaine taught me to trust
myself and has helped me make lifelong friends.
When I began Guiding I was a very shy Brownie
Guide but, as I grew up in Girl Guides, graduating
to ‘Castlemaine Golden Guide’ then proceeding
into the Rangers Guides, I slowly began to
understand the fundamentals of Guiding and
how the Girl Guide Promise and Laws affected
my life, opening my eyes to what I was capable of.
But Girl Guiding is not just about our individual
journeys, it is about how our actions and
commitments inspire others around us. On my
Girl Guiding journey, I have attended many
events and met many Girl Guide members who
have demonstrated the essence of Girl Guides
and have inspired me by showing me what is
possible. It is exceptional when my sisters in
Guiding go out of their way to show appreciation
and recognise others’ achievements, when
they spend countless hours of their own time
organising events and when they express their
determination and love of Girl Guides. These
passionate girls and women are living and
breathing the Girl Guiding spirit and this
inspires me.
Girl Guiding is a very important part of my life,
showing me how to give back to the community
and to Girl Guides. I am a unit leader of 20 six
to ten-year-old Brownies. Aspects of my job at
weekly meetings include planning, running a
program and having responsibility. My aim is to
not only create and run an enjoyable program
with my fellow leaders, but to attempt to inspire
the members like I have been inspired by others.
Recently, I have achieved my Outdoor Camping
Qualifications which made it possible for me
to run, plan, program and evaluate the district
‘Outer-Space’ outdoors camp with 40 girls in
attendance. This was challenging but a very
successful weekend.

20. PAGE 20
“Girl Guides has helped me grow from a cautious ‘tween’ into
the assertive young woman I am today. ”
In 2013 I attended a National Leadership
Seminar and week-long camp called ‘Leading
Edge’ with 15 other 16 to 20-year-old Girl Guides
from around Australia. This event was held at
a Girl Guide Victoria campsite called Britannia
Park and focused on many aspects of building
personal development, confidence and leadership
abilities. I met many women who inspire me at
this event, which helped me create my ‘Leading
Edge’ project called ‘The Learn, Laugh and Lend-
a-Hand’ (3 Ls) Program. The 3 Ls Program aims
to educate my district about poverty for Girl
Guides in developing countries and to participate
in a district hike to raise money for an African
Girl Guide Unit in Senegal. We have raised
approximately $1,000 and the units are now using
Pen Pal communication to create friendships and
understanding for both countries.
During my Guiding, I have constantly challenged
myself to achieve and it has taught me what I can
accomplish. As a girl, I achieved minor badges
and awards but one challenge that was especially
difficult and extremely gratifying for me was the
Girl Guide peak achievement award, the Queen’s
Guide Award. During the course of completing
this award I matured enormously, often when
I was forced to do things that I had never done
before. I felt like that shy Brownie who didn’t
want to do anything but, in actual fact, when I
was volunteering at the library or being assessed
for camping qualifications, I was a blossoming
butterfly of self-confidence. I was facing my fears
and it showed me that they were just boundaries
that my mind had created. This is why Guiding
has changed my life.
Girl Guides Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

21. Wendy Lewis
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Guides Victoria
“Girl Guides Victoria provides opportunities
that enrich the lives of girls by developing
their confidence, resilience, initiative and
practical skill levels. The support from the
State Government has been vital in helping
us to improve on the opportunities we
provide for girls. Funds to upgrade a number
of Guiding facilities has created better
environments for girls to learn and play and
project funding is allowing us to strengthen
our programs to ensure they are inclusive and
welcoming for all girls in Victoria.”

22. PAGE 22
Sam Maloney - SYN Media / Be Heard!
My name is Sam Maloney, I’m 20 and from
Warrnambool. I am a SYN Young Media Leader. I
completed Year 12 in 2011 and had plans of doing
university online but, starting full time work at
the same time made me leave that idea; it was too
much and I needed a break.
Through every job I’ve had, one of the most
important things is to learn as much as you can,
even if you don’t think you need to know. You
need to have diverse knowledge to be successful.
In 2012, I decided to try a horticulture course
which introduced me to a fascinating world of
plants and gardens. As fascinating as it was,
however, it wasn’t for me.
Early last year, after still not knowing what I
wanted to do or where I wanted to go, I decided
to enrol in the Melbourne Radio School. This
involved driving three hours each way to a three-
hour class for 10 weeks. It developed my interest
in radio and I did a week of work experience at
a commercial station and loved it but there were
no jobs around at the time.
I had thought about getting involved with 3WAY-
FM to fulfil my radio interests. I had occasionally
hosted a show on 3WAY for my school back in
Year 9. Late last year, however, my mum showed
me an article in the local newspaper looking
for someone to volunteer with SYN Media and
3WAY-FM to form a media hub where they could
become the Young Media Leader.
SYN and 3WAY-FM first collaborated on the Be
Heard! project where trainers from SYN came
to 3WAY and facilitated training workshops.
Now SYN is permanently in Warrnambool. So
far the Young Media Leaders, including myself,
have had three workshops in Melbourne where
we have learnt so much, from marketing to
training volunteers, as well as meeting and being
mentored by some of the big names in the sector.
The Young Media Leader programme is what
pushed me into the world of community media.
It’s not something that I knew much about but
I was surprised by what I found. It’s a world
of passionate people making media to benefit
others. It can transform and mould itself to fill a
need or want within the audience.
In some ways, particularly with SYN, community
broadcasting is not about the content, it is about
learning what people can achieve and having
something to do. The essence of SYN is that

23. PAGE 23
young people should be creators of media, not
just consumers.
Through the project I have learnt how to deal
with multiple organisations and people. So now
my job is to involve and train young people to
create media for 3WAY-FM and SYN Nation as
well as the SYN website. This is the start of a
national youth community; this is the start of
something big.
“In some ways, particularly with SYN, community
broadcasting is not about the content, it is about learning
what people can achieve and having something to do.”
SYN Media and Be Heard!
are funded by the Victorian Government

24. PAGE 24
Nicolette Forte - FReeZA
My name is Nicolette Forte. I’ve been described
as an instinctual performer. My skills as an
entertainer initially led to me hosting numerous
open microphone sessions and collaborating
with many musicians, participating in scores of
live gigs and performances across the country.
I am a graduate of Swinburne University where
I achieved a Degree in Theatre Arts. I then
spent five years travelling to primary schools
throughout the country as part of a Theatre in
Education ensemble. This experience provided
me with the opportunity to further develop
practical knowledge and skills in puppetry,
set building and design, costume, props, lighting
and sound.
With a keen passion for theatre and
performance, I’ve managed to work with many
different theatre groups over the past eight
years and participated in multiple Fringe Festival
shows in both Adelaide and Melbourne. These
shows have involved cabaret, musical theatre,
vaudeville and comedy.
While some musicians sing from the heart, I say
I surrender my whole being. I believe this draws
the audience into each performance, making it a
much more personal experience. The title track
of my debut EP, “Rescue Me”, reached number
two on the Triple J Unearthed Roots charts in
2012 and received radio play on Triple J, Joy
FM, PBS and numerous community radio
stations nationwide.
I was selected by a panel of industry professionals
to take part in FReeZA’s ‘The Push’ Music
Mentoring Program. The mentoring program
was a fantastic experience and enabled me to get
ongoing support not only through my fabulous
mentor, Georgia Fields, but also from the wider
music community. The program opened many
doors to some great opportunities, including the
chance to play at the launch of National Youth
Week and showcase my single “Hold Your Hand”
at Parliament House.
Along with my band I have played to audiences
at The St. Kilda Festival, ChillOut Festival,
Moomba, The Toff in Town, The Evelyn, The
Prince of Wales, The Espy and The Caravan Club.
I have also been selected to support iconic artists
such as Mark Seymour, Tim Rogers, Jon Stevens
and Little Red. In 2013 I was privileged with a
myriad of artistic opportunities, most notably the

25. PAGE 25
grant I received from South West Arts to tour
regional NSW with my band and perform in the
‘Bush Concert Project’.
I also had the prestigious honour of being
flown to Penang to perform for Her Majesty
Sultanah Haminah Hamidun, the Honourable
Queen of Malaysia.
For the past three years, I have volunteered as a
mentor with the Brunswick-based community
theatre group for queer youth called ‘Y-Glam’.
2014 marks my fourth year working with the
City Of Voices, an inclusive community theatre
group for people with special needs, where I am
the Assistant Director.
The combination of my personal experiences and
the mentoring I received through the FReeZA
program has had a major impact on how I
approach my profession.
“The program opened many doors to some great
opportunities, including the chance to play at the
launch of National Youth Week and showcase my
single ‘Hold Your Hand’ at Parliament House.”
FReeZA is funded by the Victorian Government

26. PAGE 26
Lauren Dempsey - Engage!
I grew up on the Bellarine Peninsula, 30 minutes
from Geelong’s CBD. Throughout my high
school years, I developed a great interest in
helping the community. I became involved in
as many programs as possible including the ‘It’s
Your Move’ healthy lifestyle campaign, Rotary
Interact and the Social Justice committee.
The experiences I had with these programs
was fantastic, especially the ‘It’s Your Move’
campaign for which I was the Lead Ambassador.
My involvement in this campaign fostered
my passion to develop a career path in health
promotion. I studied a Bachelor of Exercise and
Sport Science majoring in Heath Promotion at the
University of Ballarat.
Following my studies I was keen to look for
work in the health promotion field. The sense
of community spirit I felt each time I visited
Stawell gave me motivation to search for work
in this town. I landed myself a job at Grampians
Community Health as a receptionist and
eventually worked my way into my current
role of Integrated Health Promotion Project
Worker at Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care
Partnership.
I was excited with my move to Stawell, a small
country town with a strong community presence.
I was keen to be involved in the community so
I actively sought out ways to do so. I joined a
local basketball competition and started playing
netball at a local football and netball club. I also
had heard through a friend about a Youth Action
Council that was starting up in the Shire. This
was something that sparked my interest and
so my boss encouraged me to apply. The YAC
was developed thanks to Victorian Government
funding through the 2012-2014 Engage! program.
I saw this as a great opportunity to connect with
the local community and meet people. I applied
for the position on the Northern Grampians
Shire Youth Action Council (YAC) and was
appointed as a member in April 2013. I am now
the current chairperson.
One of the first tasks for the YAC was to
brainstorm and develop key focus areas we
felt needed to be addressed in our community.
They included providing more youth-friendly
events, creating a youth hub, addressing the
drug and alcohol culture, and reducing the
stigma associated with mental illness. These will
be included in the Northern Grampians Shire
Council’s Youth Strategy that the YAC will create.

27. PAGE 27
“The YAC has been a great opportunity for me to be involved
in the local community, meet new people and learn more
about the new town I have moved to.”
The YAC has been a great opportunity for me to
be involved in the local community, meet new
people and learn more about the new town I have
moved to. It has provided me with some great
opportunities including being involved with the
launch of The Exchange website, meeting with
Heywire winners to discuss ideas for a mental
health grant the YAC received and attending the
Foundation for Young Australians Unleashed
Summit in Sydney. It has been great to feel a
sense of belonging to the community and be able
to help address our key focus areas.
To date the YAC has held a number of
community events including a music event
called ‘Little Night Out’, two Twilight Cinema
events and one Dive-in Cinema event. All of
these have generated a huge amount of positive
feedback and community support. At the
beginning of the year the YAC was nominated
for two Australia Day awards - Young Citizen
of the Year and Community Event of the Year.
We were privileged enough to be awarded
Young Citizen of the Year for 2014, which
was a phenomenal achievement. The YAC was
also successful in receiving a $10,000 grant
through the Foundation for Rural and Regional
Renewal (FRRR) and the ABC for a mental health
project to be delivered across all schools in the
Northern Grampians Shire. The project ‘Moving
Mountains’ looks at addressing the issues
associated with mental health and educating the
community through these school workshops and
subsidised Mental Health First Aid courses.
I am very excited about the future prospects
of the YAC and the significant and successful
contribution we have made in the community
so far. I am thankful for the funding we have
received in order to be able to get the YAC up
and running. Being a part of the YAC has been
an amazing experience and I hope to continue
making a positive change in our community.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

28. PAGE 28
Jamin Heppell - NEW GEN Crunch
My name is Jamin Heppell and I am the Director
of Game Changers Australia and the Coordinator
of our flagship program Captains Camp.
I grew up in a little country town called
Leongatha in south-east Victoria. Growing up I
was always the kid out the front wanting to take
the lead. Whether it was school house-captain,
SRC representative, football captain, basketball
captain, or even school captain, the challenge of
leading my peers has always inspired me. Health
and fitness has also been a great passion of mine
as I practically grew up at my local football club
with my dad running laps of the oval.
As a teenager and even now, I have always had
a personal vision to change the world. When
I was 16 this vision began to crystallise, as I
became acutely aware of the culture of my local
sporting community. I realised I was immersed
in a culture of masculinity, chauvinism, racism,
homophobia, sexism, drug-abuse, drinking and
gambling. It was challenging for me. Much of my
identity was tied to being fit and healthy and a
part of my local sporting club. I loved the fun, the
fitness, the sense of belonging, the discipline, and
the competition that sport brought me, but this
culture was not conducive to becoming the man I
wanted to be. This culture did not align with my
values and a similar culture could be observed
in the school-yard, which I believe is a direct
result of the influence of local sporting clubs on
dominant peer-groups.
Fast-forward 2 years when I was the school
captain of Leongatha Secondary College, I was
invited to take-part in a leadership development
program run by YMCA Victoria. It was a week-
long residential camp with no connection to the
outside world. This week changed my life. It was
the first time I had truly explored the person I
was and the person I was becoming. It was also
the first time I had met a Muslim, someone who
was gay open and proud, and someone who had
depression and was comfortable to talk about it. I
came home inspired and determined. I wanted all
my mates to experience this. I wanted everyone
to experience this. At that moment I had a clear
sense of purpose.
From there, the concept of using sport to promote
culture change throughout regional communities
was developed. I realised that if we could
engage young influential men and women in
regional communities to take part in a program
designed to develop their leadership, resilience

29. PAGE 29
“I would encourage anyone with a big idea for creating
change to apply and really test their thinking, challenge their
ideas and change the world.”
and change-making capacity, this could create
wide-spread culture shift from the club to the
schoolyard and beyond. I wanted to harness the
power of sport to shift communities.
For 5 years I quietly developed the concept until
I finally had the clarity to share the vision. In
August 2012, Game Changers Australia formed
with a board of 4 people. We ran our first sports
leadership development program Captains Camp
in 2013.
In August 2014, I was accepted into the NEW
GEN Crunch program. This is a 6-month social
enterprise development program designed to
help participants create a robust business plan
to get a social enterprise up and running within
12 months.
I found the NEW GEN Crunch program
informative and confronting. It made us test
many assumptions that we were currently
operating upon and we were forced to answer
the tough questions and make some big decisions.
This ultimately prevented us from heading down
a road of instability and rough terrain.
I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of
the NEW GEN Crunch program. We are now in a
position where we are forming relationships with
local councils, local sporting clubs, community
banks, state sporting associations, and other
supportive networks to enable our programs
to scale and impact more young leaders and
ultimately create stronger more connected
communities in regional Victoria.
The NEW GEN Crunch was an inspiring and
eye-opening journey and I thank all those who
have contributed to the creation, development
and financial support of the program. I would
encourage anyone with a big idea for creating
change to apply and really test their thinking,
challenge their ideas and change the world.
NEW GEN Crunch is funded by the Victorian Government

30. PAGE 30
Linda Kabasha - Catholic Regional College Sydenham
Venturer Scout Unit
After a lot of moves throughout my childhood,
my family finally got together and moved to the
village with Mum’s entire family. Then Mum
decided to move again but this time far from
everything - Egypt.
At first, for a few weeks, we were living with
one of Dad’s uncles, then we moved to Mum’s
relatives’ place. So funny! Around twenty people
fitted in a two bedroom unit.
At last we got our own apartment, after a few
bumps on the road. I went to school but stopped
because of the situation we had to face on our
own. At times, for a whole week or more, we
would just sit there with no food whatsoever.
Mum would go around asking for donations.
We were lucky if we got rice.
At times she would remind me why we were
there, then she would continue to say, “I only
came here to give my kids a better place, where
they can feel free to do what they want without
any fear.”
Our last stop was with another of Mum’s
relatives. There were three bedrooms so each
family had their own room. Months went by.
Mum got a job. And then after twenty months
of battling, at last, we got accepted to paradise -
Australia.
I’m currently still in school, undertaking VCAL
subjects, plus childcare every Wednesday at the
Sydenham Child Care Centre. I don’t have a job
yet but I’m looking for one.
I was interested in becoming a lawyer. I never
understood why. Maybe it was because I wanted
to show one particular person that no one can
get away with breaking the law. I’m a big fan
of travelling and exploring all sorts of fantastic
places and, of course, giving back to the beautiful
community. I had all these ideas, for example,
building homes, schools, hospitals, and churches.
I’d sit in my room and imagine myself doing
those things, but really I didn’t know where or
how I was going to accomplish my dreams but I
had to, despite the problems I might face through
the process.
The first time I became aware of the Scouting
program was from Brendan Watson from

31. PAGE 31
“If you get an opportunity, take it with no regrets. Give it
your best and hope for the best.”
Scouts Victoria. He came in to chat to the VCAL
students about his extraordinary story. I didn’t
know what was going through their minds but
I personally thought it was inspiring how he
became an OAM and the goals he had set and
achieved. My favourite sentence, the part that
gave me goose bumps, was how he was a member
of this wonderful team that still helps others, plus
they get to travel. Then he said the name of the
team that he was involved in - Scouts. I had never
heard of it before, so I had to learn more. All that
was running through my sleepy mind was that I
had to join before anything else and so I did.
I’m so excited. I have since joined the East Timor
program and hopefully the Joey Scout and
Rovers will start soon. I hope to achieve a lot of
my goals especially with the East Timor program.
Why did I decide to join Scouts? Well, it’s simple:
if you get an opportunity, take it with no regrets.
Give it your best and hope for the best.
Scouts Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

32. PAGE 32
Jack McDonald - The Reach Foundation
My name is Jack McDonald. I am 23 years old
and live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
I am just about to complete a Bachelor of Arts
degree at Melbourne University. My long-term
plan is to become a high school teacher involved
in pastoral care and student wellbeing. At the
moment, I am happy to be working part-time at
The Reach Foundation, playing footy for my local
club and planning to go backpacking overseas in
the next couple of years.
I currently live at home with my parents and
two younger brothers but a couple of years
ago, I was having a really hard time living at
home. I decided to move out when I was 19 and
I learned pretty quickly about what it means to
be self reliant. I found full-time work and then
had to make the difficult decision to drop out
of university so I could earn enough money to
support myself.
Over the past couple of years my father and I
have been working really hard to improve our
relationship. We have supported each other
through some tough times and had to be really
honest with how we feel about each other.
Coming to terms with how my father has shaped
me as a person has been a big part of my journey
towards accepting my identity as a young man.
He is an incredibly caring, sensitive, calm and
community-minded man and those are the
qualities that I seek to embody in how I live
my life.
When I heard that Reach had received funding
to run Locker Room, a program for young men
in high schools, I asked to be a Facilitator in the
program. From what I have learned through my
relationship with my father, I know how valuable
it is for young men to have a space to talk openly
about their feelings.
My role involves running activities and
facilitating discussions to help students
understand the male stereotype and its impact.
We provide a space to challenge the stereotype
and talk about ‘taboo’ topics, such as our
insecurities, family issues, and our sexuality as
men. Naturally, those topics are met with some
awkwardness and resistance from groups of
Year Nine boys but I’ve learned that, with time
and patience, the boys will break through their
initial discomfort as they start to understand the
benefits of not always living according to the
male stereotype.

33. PAGE 33
For me, the highlight of Locker Room is the final
activity. After the students come back from
their lunch break, we ask them to challenge the
male stereotype by doing a dance performance
to portray a male characteristic or personality
trait, without trying to get a laugh. In a recent
workshop a group comprised of many ‘alpha
males’ did a ballet dance to portray the soft
and sensitive sides of their personality. It was
incredibly powerful to see a group of the leaders
in the year level break down the male stereotype.
At the end of the workshop the boys spoke about
how they had been able to develop more trust
amongst themselves and they expressed a greater
awareness of the impacts of their behaviour. For
me, Locker Room has reinforced the importance
of positive male role models. I feel really lucky to
have my father as a positive role model.
“It was incredibly powerful to see a group of the leaders in
the year level break down the male stereotype.”
Reach’s Locker Room Program is
funded by the Victorian Government

34. PAGE 34
Rebecca Nielsen - Mt Waverley Kanyaka-Yakkana Guides
My name is Rebecca Nielsen, I’m 15 and live in
Oakleigh South. I participated in the Girl Guide
program which has provided me with so many
opportunities to discover new things, chase skills,
participate in adventures and excursions and
meet really amazing people. I got involved in
Guiding when I was seven years old.
During the past eight years of Guiding with
South Oakleigh I’ve had soooooooo many
opportunities. Guides changes as the people
change - leaders and participants - but that’s
what makes it so great. We have a fantastic new
kitchen so we can include cooking, dinners and
basic catering in our program.
In my time of being a Guide, I’ve been a member
of three different units. A highlight for me in
Guides is the outdoors because I love camping.
Another part which I am heavily involved with
and love is the service we do, which ranges from
Anzac Day to Clean Up Australia Day, door
knocking, and many other things within our local
community. Our program is full of a wide range
of activities, such as games, karaoke and penny
hikes. Anything we think of or we think we can
do at Guides (well almost), the leaders will help us
to achieve.
I am also a junior leader one night a week and
love it! Being a junior leader has provided me
with so much opportunity and allowed me to
become much more mature and confident. I
have attended many camps, state events and
regional events over my years, even a canoeing
day. I have also been lucky enough to attend two
international camps which were amazing. I’ve
achieved many badges, including my Junior BP
and BP award. I also received a district award
last year. I am currently working on my Queen’s
Guide Award.
From Guides I have learned to organise events,
speak to the public and work with children. I’ve
also learned lots of practical skills like cooking,
camping, first aid and being prepared - things I
use in all parts of my life. I have learned to follow
my instincts, weigh up my choices and make
decisions. I don’t always make the right ones but I
make them and cope with the fall out. The biggest
thing I have taken out of Guides is the people you
meet. If it wasn’t for some of them I wouldn’t be
who I am today. They bring out the best in me
and take away the worst. They have taught me
to just be myself because that’s who you are best
suited for.

35. PAGE 35
Most of my challenges arise from being a junior
leader. Going on camp with a large group of girls
between the ages of five to 10 is never easy.
There is a heap of work and not much sleep but
when I am on camp I think about the leaders who
did this for me when I was little. It’s my turn to
do it now. I also get faced with challenges when
I am put in situations I’m not used to and unsure
how to cope. Let’s say abseiling and I will NEVER
be friends. Dealing with some girls is harder than
others so you just have to try and work out what
is best for the girl and you in those situations.
With Guides I’ve learned I can be resilient and
will bounce back and, although I’m not the best
or the smartest or the greatest, I can do almost
anything I put my mind to. I’ve learned that
I enjoy being with people doing things, being
challenged and, yes, even failing at things we try.
I have learned that things aren’t always easy but
can always be better and that if you want to do
something you have to put your mind to it and
face the challenges. Ultimately, I know there is a
good side to everything.
As I say all the time, I would not be the person I
am today without Guides. It has made me a more
caring and considerate person. It has taught me
to be grateful for what you have and always lend
a helping hand to somebody in need. Guides is an
amazing program run for young girls becoming
young women. And has shaped me for the best
future I can have. Guides is GREAT!
“I’ve learned that I enjoy being with people doing things,
being challenged and, yes, even failing at things we try.”
Girl Guides Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

36. PAGE 36
James Plummer - Ogilvy Rover Scout Crew at 1st
Emerald Scout Group
My name is James and I’m a 22-year-old Rover
Scout here at Emerald. My history with Scouts
goes back at least 12 years when I was a Cub at
1st Cranbourne. Their hall, although very nice,
was not quite as flash as the one in Emerald but
it did have reasonable access, except the toilets
were inaccessible and hence unusable for me in
my chair. Scouting provided me, particularly at
that time, with a sense of empowered adventure
that allowed me to get out and do things I never
thought I could do (mostly out of a sense of
nervousness). Some of my highlights of the time
were going to Cuboree 2002, knot tying and
learning more about campfires - other than the
fact that they are warm and smell AMAZING.
They say you don’t truly know what you can
achieve until you no longer have the help to
achieve it. My time at Scouting would take a
break while I was at high school and undergoing
some major surgery in hospital. Scouts was
something I always wanted to go back to but that
didn’t end up happening as soon as I wanted it
to. The Cranbourne Scouts had changed and my
investigation of other troops at the time left me
a little disillusioned. The local troops were small
and not set up to take on the extra work involved
in helping a person in a wheelchair; I pursued
other interests and forgot about Scouting.
Jumping forward a few years, after hearing from
friends and family about how awesome Scouts
was from a Rover perspective, I decided to give
it a go. I tried out a few of my local crews with
mixed results until one day, just as I was about to
give up, I decided I would ring my cousin who is
also a Rover here at Emerald. He assured me that
the crew here would be very “hospitable” and
interested in having me join them. So I decided
that I would at least try one night and see how
it went. From that first night I was hooked; the
people were kind, very welcoming and did not
appear to be too intimidated by me or some of the
changes that might have to be made in the crew
to accommodate me. They showed something
that, to me, represents the signs of being
excellent and Scouts.
Originally the hall was somewhat difficult to
access and I needed to use some ramps I carry

37. PAGE 37
“From that first night I was hooked; the people were
kind, very welcoming and did not appear to be too
intimidated by me... ”
with me in the car. The recent upgrade has really
helped my ability to integrate into Rovers and
Scouting. A ramp was built to access the side
door and the toilet facilities upgrade means there
is a toilet with room for me to get my wheelchair
into and use. I’m truly thankful to all those
involved, not only because it helps me personally
but helps promotes Scouting and the willingness
of the Scouting movement to assist people in
the community with special needs to join in
Scouting activities.
The Rover crew at Emerald has made me far
more than welcome and the management has
been incredibly helpful in making sure I have
access to the hall and the facilities. Thank you
very much to all concerned.
Scouts Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

38. PAGE 38
Fostin Nshimirimana - Engage!
I was born in Burundi, one of eight brothers. I
was separated from my mother and brothers at
the age of four when my father took me when he
joined the rebels. I became a child soldier. Our job
was to protect and survive.
The Australian Government found me in 2006
and sent me to Australia to join my mother and
brothers who had migrated and settled in the
Brimbank region in 2004.
When I first heard about Good Shepherd’s
RAP3021 program I was very happy to hear
they had started a program like this in St Albans.
Before RAP3021, there were music programs
offered in Sunshine and Footscray, but none
in St Albans.
RAP3021 is a hip hop writing program run by
Good Shepherd and the Migrant Resource Centre
North West as part of the Engage! program.
The program began in early 2011 and has
worked with over 50 newly arrived or refugee
young people with a core of 10 young people
from a range of countries including Burundi,
Congo, Sudan and Ethiopia. Recently the group
released its first video clip which can be viewed
on YouTube.
I joined the program in 2011 and stayed involved
for around two years. As one of the first people
to join the group, I started to take the lead in
organising activities for us to be involved in. In
July 2012, we organised a hip hop performance
for the St Albans community in front of
approximately 100 people. We also performed at
the Victorian Arts Centre as part of the Emotion
project, and we were involved in numerous other
community events around Brimbank.
My life has changed so much since the days I was
a child soldier in Burundi. I was lucky enough to
be awarded one of Brimbank’s highest accolades,
Young Citizen of the Year. As someone who
other young people in Brimbank can look up
to, I feel blessed with all the opportunities Good
Shepherd and its partner, Migrant Resource
Centre North West, have given me.
I have a dream to be a successful musician and
tell my stories through songs. I now facilitate
the RAP3021 group on the days when the
professional hip hop artist is absent. I will be
launching my debut album ‘Wrong Adoption’ in
November this year.
“I have a dream to be
a successful musician
and tell my stories
through songs.”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

39. PAGE 39
Maddie Pearce - The Reach Foundation
My first involvement with Reach was back in
May 2009, not long after the Black Saturday
Bushfires affected me. Unfortunately my family
lost our home. I was in VCE at the time and, until
that point, I’d had a pretty uneventful and happy
life. After the fires it was a pretty confusing
time for me. I attended multiple funerals, moved
towns and didn’t have a lot of familiarity in my
life. I felt numb for a long time. A family friend of
mine knew someone who was involved in Reach
and invited me to come along to a program called
Camp Maasai in Sydney. I hadn’t heard much
about Reach at the time but I trusted my friend
and decided to give it a try.
The camp was different to anything I had
experienced before. There were lots of new
people to meet but the Reach staff and crew
made it feel very safe and welcoming. There
were heaps of opportunities for everyone to
share their different experiences and challenge
him or herself and explore who they are. After
hearing from so many other young people with
such inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, it
really put my own experience into perspective.
It allowed me to have a lot more gratitude and
positivity about my situation.
Following the camp, my family and friends kept
telling me how they could see a difference in me.
I knew I felt more like myself than I had since
the fires had happened. I had a new perspective
on the situation. Despite losing my home, I still
had my family and close friends, and had lots
of support in my life. I decided that I wanted
to replicate my experience of camp to give
others the same feeling that I had received so I
successfully ran a day camp with the assistance
of Reach. After Camp Maasai some of the Reach
crew encouraged me to apply for the Reach IGA
Leadership camp and I was successful. Following
that I was invited to join the Reach Leadership
program and that’s where I became a part of the
Reach crew.
As a Reach crew member I was able to go along
to workshops and help give others the experience
that I was given. It involved welcoming other
young people into our programs, and assisting
the facilitators with the practicalities of running
a program. After three years of volunteering,
I successfully became a facilitator-in-training.
Now, in this role, I am able to run programs,
create my own content and develop workshops. I
also receive professional training throughout the

40. PAGE 40
“Through this program I am able to contribute to the
development and delivery of workshops that aim to
empower young women...”
year and I’m constantly developing myself as a
person and a facilitator.
One of the greatest opportunities I have received
at Reach is being involved in our gender-specific
Birdcage workshops. Through this program I
am able to contribute to the development and
delivery of workshops that aim to empower
young women, by looking at the influences
of the world that surrounds them. It’s a topic
that I feel really passionate about and one that
I have integrated into my studies at university.
I feel proud that the organisation I work for is
implementing this work into schools.
Additionally, because of the skills I have gained
through my involvement with Reach, I am now
a part of the development of a youth advisory
group in the Kinglake Ranges. The group aims to
give other young people opportunities to become
leaders in their community.
Reach’s Birdcage Program is funded
by the Victorian Government

41. PAGE 41
“In response to the serious issues and negative
impact of bullying, stress, gender-stereotypes
and negative self-image on the wellbeing of
young men and women, Reach has developed
targeted workshops for young women and
men to address their needs and improve their
wellbeing. Reach is delighted to partner with the
Victorian Government to deliver its Birdcage and
Locker Room workshops to over 6,000 Victorian
secondary school students.”
Sarah Davies
CEO The Reach Foundation

42. PAGE 42
Annabelle Pendlebury - Engage!
My name is Annabelle. I am 20 years old, live
in Eltham and have had a thing for words for
as long as I can remember. In the beginning,
it was a love-hate relationship. I clearly recall
being a frustrated five-year-old during creative
writing time in prep, refusing to use any word in
my stories I couldn’t spell correctly (back then,
most of them). Obviously my inner perfectionist
kicked in from an early age but, as the saying
goes, practise makes perfect. Soon enough,
words were my sharpest tool, my favourite form
of expression and an escape from mundane,
everyday life.
I’ve long believed that pouring words onto a
blank page is exciting, addictive and fulfilling;
it’s a passion that had my friend Joely and I in
its grips and our friendship became ever firmer
because of it. We dreamed of lives revolving
around writing (her heart set on journalism,
mine on being an author or an editor). We knew
there had to be others out there who felt this way
too, so we created a project called Truth4Youth,
where like-minded young people could join forces
with others to hone their creative skills and
discuss issues of importance to youth.
Joely and I met Naomi Simmonds, a Youth
Services worker, when we attended a journalism
workshop run by Banyule Youth Services. She
offered us positions as writers for the Banyule
100 team, another fantastic project that profiles
local individuals involved in improving the lives
of young people. We were thrilled to be involved
in such an amazing project and it was the trigger
that made us believe creating our own project
could be a reality.
One afternoon in 2009, Joely and I strolled home
together after school, delightedly giggling as we
discussed bringing our lofty plans for journalism
stardom into reality. We whiled away the time
mapping out exactly how our magazine would
look and what kind of topics we would feature.
Pretty soon however, we realised that there was
no point limiting ourselves to a certain array of
topics. Despite common misconceptions about
the lazy, disinterestedness of Gen Y and Gen Z
kids, we were keen to engage with a variety of
topics - politics, books, movies, travel, you name
it - and we knew we weren’t alone. We decided
we wouldn’t box ourselves in. Truth4Youth
would discuss anything relating to young people,
providing angles from an honest, youthful point
of view.

43. PAGE 43
“...Truth4Youth has succeeded in becoming a platform where
young people are inspired to experiment with writing and to
read and engage with the ideas we present.”
The tricky bit was getting it off the ground.
We approached Naomi because she had been
such an encouraging supporter throughout our
involvement in Banyule 100. Positive as usual,
she believed we could do it. Naomi’s dedication
and encouraging attitude propelled us forward.
She applied to the State Government for Engage!
funding to help bring our idea to life.
Soon enough, amazing things were happening.
Our blog was firing up with our newly designed
name and logo, young people around our
local community were joining the team as
photographers and writers, and we were lucky
enough to recruit Bhakthi Puvanenthiran (a
professional journalist) as our mentor. During our
monthly meetings, we were already planning the
release of a hard-copy edition of Truth4Youth.
This would be a compilation of all of our writers’
best articles to date. We soon also secured a
monthly column in The Weekly Review.
Eighty articles, three hard copy editions and 600
Facebook likes later, Truth4Youth has achieved
many wondrous things. One of our proudest
moments occurred recently at the Banyule Youth
Volunteer Awards night where Truth4Youth
won the Highly Commended award in the
Community Group category. Being recognised for
our contribution to the community was humbling
and an honour. Joely and I stared at each other as
we won the award, knowing neither of us could
have ever expected such brilliant events to have
unfolded when we first started dreaming in 2009.
Thanks to the Engage! program and help from
the Banyule Youth Services, Truth4Youth
has succeeded in becoming a platform where
young people are inspired to experiment with
writing and to read and engage with the ideas
we present. The response from the community
has been astonishingly positive. Our team now
consists of budding photographers, writers and
editors, all helped by our professional mentors
who give us guidance.
Just as my obsession with the written word will
never cease, I hope Truth4Youth will never cease
providing a way for others with a similar passion
to express their creativity.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

44. PAGE 44
Ryan Anderson Smith – Getting Down to Business
Hi, I’m Ryan and I’m 24 years old. For the past
four years or so I’ve worked for a big insurance
company. During this time I managed to climb
a few levels to keep things interesting, but
ultimately I realised that a lack of inspiration
and passion was holding me back. I was ready to
break free and allow my passion to lead me.
2014 has been a year of change for me. I have
made a number of big decisions and totally shifted
my future direction. I walked away from my full
time job in financial services so I could spend
more time developing my own business. I heard
about the Getting Down to Business Program on
social media and decided to participate. I think
it’s great that the Victorian Government is taking
the lead on backing young entrepreneurs with
innovative ideas.
The Getting Down to Business program has given
me the opportunity to meet likeminded people
and to benefit from successful entrepreneurs,
who have shared their own experiences, struggles
and ultimately inspired me to confidently pursue
my own business startup. For me, one of the most
valuable parts of this program has been having
someone listen to my idea and turn around and
say - yes, that is a good idea and yes, you can
make this happen.
The program has brought together a really
diverse range of young people, from those who
have new ideas to those who have existing
businesses and are looking to increase their scale.
I have been partnered with an amazing mentor
who has given me practical tips and guidance to
help develop my concept from the early thinking
stages through to a strong pitch, supported by
market research that presents a real life problem
and opportunity.
Managing myself through change has presented
some challenges. However I have had the support
of my enterprise facilitator, who I catch up with
regularly and who has kept me on track. I’m
getting the most of out this program by keeping
up momentum and focusing on knowing my
business inside and out.
I’ve definitely developed as a person because of
this program, I see myself getting off the ground
and releasing my product to the Melbourne
market in the next six months. If you had asked
me before I started the program whether I could
achieve this, I probably would have said that I was
capable of doing it, but I wasn’t quite sure how to
take those initial practical steps.

45. PAGE 45
From here I’m working on fine tuning my pitch,
generating interest and backing my business
through angel investment or brining on a co-
founder.
I’m excited about my future and I would highly
recommend the Getting Down to Business
Program to any young entrepreneurs who want
to kick start their business idea and connect with
other like minded young people.
Getting Down to Business
is funded by the Victorian Government
“I’m excited about my future and I would highly recommend
the Getting Down to Business Program to any young
entrepreneurs who want to kick start their business idea and
connect with other like minded young people.”

46. PAGE 46
David Schout - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters
I started my AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters
internship with AFL Media in March 2013,
working one day a week based at AFL House in
Docklands. When I saw the advert for the intern
positions in late 2012, given that I’m a self-
diagnosed football nut, I knew the position would
be a great opportunity for a glimpse inside a high
pressure newsroom, and to experience a line of
work I wanted to pursue.
Unlike most other sporting league websites, afl.
com.au acts independently from the AFL. That is,
it’s designed to report on all aspects of the league,
good and bad. The website is funded by the AFL
with the intention of providing credible news
for visitors.
Some would presume the AFL would step in once
a story that’s damaging to its brand is about to
be run. I can honestly say though, in my time
there (albeit short), that was never the case. The
12 or so journalists in the room are always eager
to break news, just like all of the other major
football websites.
As an intern you have to tread the line between
making yourself useful and not being “that
annoying kid”. When I started out it was a little
difficult to find my feet in such a busy newsroom.
Slowly I managed to build good rapport with the
editor and other reporters, to the point where
they trusted me when assigning me a story.
I took care of the weekly VFL report in the AFL
Record for season 2013 and basically helped
out where needed. This included writing match
previews, injury updates or general news stories.
I’ve also shadowed several reporters to press
conferences throughout the season. These
usually involved a player or coach from any of
the Melbourne clubs.
One Friday afternoon in July, the editor called
me asking if I was interested in covering the
game at the MCG that night (Collingwood
versus Adelaide). One of the reporters was a
late withdrawal and I was asked to take her
spot. Naturally, I jumped at the chance and was
assigned to sit in the press box and provide
coverage of the game alongside one of the other
AFL Media reporters.
Sitting with prominent football journalists in
Melbourne (Mark Robinson, Bruce Matthews,
etc.) was a buzz. As the night progressed I

47. PAGE 47
“No one expects you to set the world on fire but try and
pitch story ideas to the editor. It shows you’re proactive and
that you’re thinking ahead.”
realised how ruthless match reporting can be. I
was expected to file my report on or within five
minutes of the final siren, which proved difficult
given the match’s relatively close result.
After the game I went down to the losing rooms
(Adelaide) and approached their media manager
for a player interview. Before the game I had
seen on Twitter that Adelaide player Jarryd
Lyons - who kicked four goals on the night - had
played school cricket with new Aussie sensation
Ashton Agar. Agar had just scored a brilliant
98 on debut in England the night before and I
wanted to speak with Lyons for a potential story.
The media manager agreed to my request and
I spoke to Lyons, firstly about the game and
eventually about playing with Agar at De La Salle
College. I also attended Adelaide coach Brenton
Sanderson’s press conference and wrote a report
on that. I was still sitting in the MCG press box
at 1am with a few other reporters, but it was all
worth it in the end.
My experience at AFL media has, above all
things, given me the best indication yet of what it
takes to be a journalist at that level. Watching the
experienced guys go about their work and being
able to pick their brains at various times has been
a really positive experience. Hopefully my time
there has given me a solid grounding for future
work in sports journalism, an area I’m most
passionate about.
If I had one piece of advice to journalism students
entering into their first round of internships/
placements, it would be this: make yourself
useful and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask
where you can help out and, when given a task,
make sure you are thorough and concise. No one
expects you to set the world on fire but try and
pitch story ideas to the editor. It shows you’re
proactive and that you’re thinking ahead.
The AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters Program
is supported by the Victorian Government

48. PAGE 48
Alice Louise Csabi - Heathmont Talowa Guides
I’m Alice Louise Csabi. I’m 21 and I live in
Heathmont, Maroondah, in Melbourne.
Since finishing secondary school I have been
studying a Bachelor of Primary Education
and Music at Deakin University, whilst also
working as an instrumental music teacher.
While I am not studying or working I spend
my time volunteering as a Guide Leader of the
Heathmont/Ringwood Talowa Guides aged 10 to
14 years and the Heathmont/Ringwood Dolphin
Guides aged five to seven years. I am also on
the production team for Whitehorse Showtime,
a Guide and Scout musical in my area, and the
co-coordinator for the Victorian Girl Guide Choir,
formed this year.
From the age of five I have been a member
of Girl Guides in my local area. I’ve had many
opportunities to develop my communication
skills, leadership abilities and initiative during
this time. From an early age camping has been
a huge part of my life. It has provided me with
opportunities to make new friends, try activities
that I would never have dared and experience the
wonderful outdoors.
An example of this is from one of my first Guide
Camps at Britannia Park in Yarra Junction. I was
seven and had my first experience of abseiling. I
can remember being so terrified and not wanting
to come down, but with the encouragement
of my leaders and fellow Guides I managed to
come down the tree with a big smile on my face.
Recently I have taken up abseiling and am now
part of the 1st Emerald Scouts Abseiling Team,
completing my qualifications. Now it is my turn
to help young children to face their fears and
abseil for the first time.
In 2009, when I was 17, I had the opportunity
to travel with the Australian contingent to the
Philippines for the Asia Pacific Region Summit.
I had just completed my Queen’s Guide Award
and was honoured to be chosen as one of two
Australian Youth Representatives at the Summit.
I assisted with the running of the International
Campfire and was involved in discussions about
the future of Guiding for Youth Members in
the Asia Pacific Region and around the world.
It was determined that “intergenerational and
cross-cultural connections would have huge
benefits for the movement”. This can also be used
when thinking about the communities that we
are part of.

49. PAGE 49
“Girl Guides has helped me to grow into a confident, self-
respecting and responsible community member.”
After returning from the Summit, I spoke about
my experiences and the idea of ‘peer education’
in relation to adolescent health, education
and wellbeing at various functions including
the Melbourne International Women’s Day
Breakfast in 2010. I also made a public address at
Victoria’s Parliament House. I continued to help
with national projects and conferences including
‘Be the Change’, an advocacy-focused conference
addressing the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals, run by Girl Guides Australia.
As soon as I turned 18 I started my leadership
qualifications so that I could give back what I got
out of Guiding to others. I started to volunteer
as a leader on the State School Holiday Program
Camps and am now qualified to take girls
camping indoors, outdoors in tents and also on
hiking expeditions.
This year the Victorian Girl Guide Choir was
formed, giving girls the opportunity to perform at
a variety of functions. They take part in fortnightly
rehearsals and sing both traditional Guiding
and popular songs. We hope to expand both in
numbers and repertoire in the coming years.
Recently my unit went back to Britannia Park on
our Eco Warrior Service camp where we got to
experience the stunning surrounds and wildlife
including kangaroos and koalas. The girls took
part in service by pulling out weeds. They pulled
out 1451 plants in just under an hour and spent
the time singing while they worked. We then took
part in a Wide Game where the girls completed
Challenge Valley and developed their teamwork
and communication skills. The girls cooked dinner
on an open fire and ran a brilliant campfire for
the Cub Scouts also staying on the property.
Without Guides I believe I would be a very
different person. Girl Guides has helped me
to grow into a confident, self-respecting and
responsible community member. Guiding
presents you with many opportunities and
helps you to develop as an individual. I strive to
empower the girls in my unit and around the
State to believe that they can make a difference
in this world, no matter how small.
Girl Guides Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

50. PAGE 50
Bianca Gawith - Be Heard! / SYN Media
I am an 18-year-old Gippslander from the rural
city of Traralgon. Throughout my youth I
always had an itch to get involved in the media
industry. Whether that be from watching the
news or television shows like ‘Rove’ (back in its
day), listening to Hamish and Andy on the radio,
or even reading old issues of Dolly and Cosmo.
Media has always had me hooked.
Now, freshly employed at the local commercial
radio station TRFM, I would never have
dreamed of scoring such a job at my age, until I
volunteered for government initiatives relative to
the industry.
Looking back on my journey, I remember being
unsure of how to get involved in radio. It wasn’t
until a friend of mine, CJ Dunlop, encouraged
me to go to the next training session at Gippsland
FM (the local community station) that I became
a volunteer presenter on a youth-run program
known as ‘Be Heard!’.
I first got involved at the local community station
at Gippsland FM when I was 16. The Be Heard!
program was named after and occurred thanks
to the $5000 Be Heard Grant received from the
Victorian Government in 2012. Being the only
youth show at the station meant so much to the
group of volunteers and station management
involved.
During my time in Be Heard! we interviewed a
variety people in the area, from local bands and
artists to puppets from the cast of Avenue Q,
from a pro wrestler to a vision-impaired man
who rocked on the ukulele. The Be Heard! team
was also given the incredible opportunity to
interview celebrity, Bam Margera, from MTV’S
hit show ‘Jackass’ and ‘Viva La Bam’. With
some of the grant money, we were able to hold
a successful event which showcased the local
bands and artists we’d had on the show. This was
a chance like no other in the Gippsland region - to
have our voices heard on the airwaves.
Being a part of a government initiative like the
Be Heard! program sparked another opportunity
for me at SYN Media, as a Young Media Leader.
SYN Media is an organisation in Melbourne
run by young people that provides training and
broadcast opportunities in the media.
In late 2013, SYN was looking to expand the
organisation across Australia with its new digital
radio platform, calling it the SYN Nation project.

51. PAGE 51
To achieve this, five Young Media Leaders were
picked around Australia to create media hubs
for youth in partnership with their local
community stations.
I wanted to create my media hub in partnership
with Gippsland FM, to address the lack of youth
involvement in media in my local area. Whether
it be youth who may want to pursue a career in
media or just be a part of something where they
feel free to be heard and let their creative minds
go, I wanted to give the volunteers at my hub
an opportunity to come into the Gippsland FM
station and make their very own radio shows.
These would be broadcast simultaneously on
Gippsland FM’s station locally as well as to a
national audience on SYN’s new digital channel,
SYN Nation.
As a Young Media Leader I have met some
incredible volunteers, with a love for media
alike. I was also lucky enough to meet
politician Malcolm Turnbull, the Minister for
Communications, at the official launch of the
SYN Nation project.
Initiatives such as the Be Heard! program and
the SYN Nation project are valuable in giving
young people access to media, allowing them to
come into a space where they can have fun and
express themselves, while building the vital skills
required for the media industry.
“...I would never have dreamed of scoring such a job at my
age, until I volunteered for government initiatives relative to
the industry.”
Be Heard! and SYN Media
are funded by the Victorian Government

52. PAGE 52
Ashley Pert - Cardinia FReeZA
My name is Ashley Pert. I’m from the lovely
town of Pakenham and I spent five awesome
years as part of the Electric Productions
FReeZA Committee.
I joined FReeZA because my girlfriend at the
time was a part of the committee and it meant we
could spend more time together. It was 2009 and
it was just before my 18th birthday.
Initially I was pretty reserved about the whole
thing, unsure of what to do. But with a bit of
prompting I quickly became a vocal point within
the committee, leading ideas and bringing up any
issues that the other members didn’t have the
confidence to discuss with the group.
Having done this for 5 years or so, I had the
opportunity to work on so many events that
are impossible to list, but some of the highlights
were “December Bender”, a 12 hour event we
held in Beaconsfield featuring Scar the Surface
and Dream on Dreamer. I’ve also worked every
Push Over since 2009, doing jobs ranging from
roaming to assistant stage manager.
My biggest challenge, as well as most of the
committee, was confidence. I personally
overcame this by just “sucking it up”. I was given
a job so I knew I had to do it. Other challenges
were more in the moment things, like arriving
at the venue on the day of the event to find we
had no stage, or having a headliner pull out on us
two days before the event. These kind of issues
can only be faced and beaten with a quick mind
and determination.
Twelve months ago I would have said getting to
work with so many awesome bands and see so
many kids lose their minds when the bands hit
the stage, but now I would have to say the most
outstanding experience is actually seeing my
former committee putting on awesome shows,
and knowing I helped some of those kids learn
how to do it.
During my time on the committee I learnt better
communication skills, patience and negotiation
skills. I learnt how to mix sound which is
pretty awesome. I also learnt that no matter
how perfectly you plan something, it won’t go
according to plan, so you’ve got to be able to trust
in yourself to work on the fly to keep things
going.
Because of my time in FReeZA, I now host
a Radio show on 97.1FM every Saturday at
midnight. I also manage a band, The Weight Of

53. PAGE 53
“... I would have to say the most outstanding experience
is actually seeing my former committee putting on
awesome shows, and knowing I helped some of those
kids learn how to do it.”
Silence and I’m doing some training and work in
audio engineering with Pony Music in Hallam, as
well as running audio independently at events,
such as SelbyFest in Selby. I also volunteer my
time to Pave festival in Emerald.
Right now my day job is in warehousing, only
because it’s what I’ve always done (it pays the
bills), but I do some Audio Engineering when
work comes my way, which I definitely prefer.
Also with my duties as band manager and host of
a radio show, I keep fairly busy.
My FReeZA experience has really helped me
find who I really am. It helped me discover career
options and hobbies I wouldn’t have discovered
otherwise. Also, without FReeZA, I wouldn’t
have met some of my closest friends.
My advice is, don’t doubt yourself, be confident,
don’t MC when you’re sick, and don’t wear
converse shoes in the pit!
FReeZA is funded by the Victorian Government

54. PAGE 54
Joely Mitchell - Engage!
I’m 18 and currently in my second year of
a journalism degree at La Trobe University,
Bundoora. Writing has always been a prominent
passion in my life and, since I started studying
journalism, my love for it has continued to grow.
I’ve learned so many different writing styles,
including feature and hard news articles and
have stepped way out of my comfort zone to do
some sports reporting.
I went to Eltham High School with Annie
Pendlebury and we bonded over a love for
writing. We both had similar future aspirations,
I wanted to be a journalist and Annie was unsure
but knew she wanted to pursue a career in
writing. We’d often have chats about what we
could do to speed up the process of fulfilling
these goals.
We saw an advertisement for a journalism
workshop run by Banyule Youth Services and
we were quick to get involved. This is where our
relationship with Banyule Youth Services Youth
Worker, Naomi Simmonds, began and we’re both
so happy that it did because she has led us into
many amazing projects. After a little persuasion
we began to write for Banyule 100, a blog that
profiles 100 local residents that do outstanding
work in the community. We were able to
interview some inspiring and beautiful people
and write articles that reflected their greatness.
As much as we loved this experience, we wanted
more. I distinctly remember the afternoon after
school (in Year 9) that we met up to brainstorm
how and where we could write about issues we
cared about. Our goal was to create a magazine
and blog where young people could write about
issues related to them for an audience of young
people. We wanted to create a platform for us
and other aspiring writers to cover any topic
they desired.
It was a big goal for two 15-year-olds. We
contacted Naomi who loved the idea but had
to discuss logistics with her bosses. After a few
initial meetings, Annie and I were absolutely
ecstatic when Naomi told us that, thanks to
some recent Engage! funding, she was ready to
go ahead.
It took a lot of workshopping but soon, we’d
recruited a team of young writers bursting with
ideas. The blog was created. We made a Facebook
page and a Twitter account. We got a local
journalist on board as mentor. Our vision really
was turning into reality.

55. PAGE 55
Three years later Truth4Youth has been running
for approximately 18 months and our vision
has become so much more than we could have
ever anticipated. We have around 10-15 people
writing for us, we’ve had numerous journalists
mentor us, almost 600 Facebook likes, a monthly
spot in The Weekly Review, three published hard
copy editions, and we’ve featured in The Leader.
We have monthly meetings where we go
through each other’s writing and suggest
improvements. At these meetings we also discuss
how to spread the word of Truth4Youth.
Working so closely with Banyule Youth Services
has given me the opportunity to engage with
people in the community I never thought would
be possible. When we go to events to publicise
Truth4Youth, I love chatting to people - younger,
older or the same age as me.
I do believe that Truth4Youth has enabled me to
fulfil the goal I’d initially laid out. I wanted to get
as much experience in journalism as possible and
the repertoire of writing I’ve had published is a
credit to the publication. My portfolio is bigger
than ever.
I was lucky enough to be given the right to check
out the filming of a local ABC kid’s program
called ‘Nowhere Boys’ on behalf of Truth4Youth.
They were filming in Warrandyte and Naomi got
in touch with them and they were happy to have
me come down for a set visit. It was so interesting
seeing the behind the scenes action of television
production and I got to meet some of the stars too.
When I read articles from my early writing days,
I can’t help but cringe at the quality. Practise
really does make perfect, my writing is improving
day after day and this is why I love writing so much.
Truth4Youth means the world to me, I have
never been so proud of something I have done. I
love the people, the events, the opportunities, but
most of all, I love sitting down for hours on end
typing away my thoughts, feelings and ideas with
the hope that our readers can relate.
“I love the people, the events, the opportunities, but most
of all, I love sitting down for hours on end typing away my
thoughts, feelings and ideas with the hope that our readers
can relate.”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

56. PAGE 56
Daniel Flynn - The Victorian Young Achiever of the Year 2013
I’m currently the Managing Director, as well
as one of the co-founders of social enterprise
Thankyou Group. We sell a range of water, food
and body care products that exist for the sole
purpose of funding water, food and health and
hygiene projects in developing nations.
This might sound a little cliché, but I’m pretty
passionate about my job. For me, what I do isn’t
just a job – it’s something that I’ve dedicated my
life to. It’s an amazing feeling getting to go to
work every day and knowing that I’m impacting
thousands of lives in need. Aside from work,
I love sailing and snowboarding as well as
spending time with my wife and family.
Thankyou started because in 2008 I came
across facts about the World Water Crisis that
really brought me to a halt. During that time,
I was a young university student studying a
construction management degree; working
away on my personal five-year plan. But as I
began to read stories of kids my own age that
had to deal with the daily struggles involved
with not having access to clean water, I began to
feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable that while
I’m building my life, each day there are 4,500
children dying from water-borne disease and
people my age and younger spending half a
day, even a whole day, collecting water for their
family. In that moment, I made a decision to
do something to help combat the World Water
Crisis. I pulled together a group of friends and
together we talked about how crazy it was that
900 million people in our world don’t have access
to safe water while at the same time Australians
spend $600 million on bottled water each year.
We decided to create a bottled water company
that would exist 100 per cent to fund safe water
projects in developing nations.
As a social enterprise, driving sales and business
growth had always been (and continues to be)
a challenge, as we don’t have the big marketing
and advertising budgets of our competitors.
To break through we began dreaming up creative
ways we could market ourselves and in 2011
we launched a campaign that asked all our
Facebook fans to post on 7-Eleven Australia’s
Facebook wall that if the retailer stocked our
water products, they’d buy them. This was
our first major retail campaign and we were
successful. Using this as our platform we took
a similar approach in July 2013 with Coles and
Woolworths. By this stage we had rebranded
to Thankyou and launched a food range and a
body care range to enable us to fund food and

57. PAGE 57
health and hygiene projects alongside our
water solutions. Our products are now
available in over 4000 outlets including Coles,
Woolworths, 7-Eleven Australia, IGA and
hundreds of independent cafes and retailers
around the country.
The most exciting thing is the impact we’ve been
able to make. To date, we’ve been able to fund
safe water access for 67,000 people, health and
hygiene training for 60,000 people and short-
term food aid and long-term food solutions for
over 6000 people. We’ve given a total of over
$1 million to projects and we’re excited that our
impact continues to grow.
My utmost motivation lies in knowing that if
we can build a world-class brand and movement
then we will be helping hundreds of thousands
of lives, and hopefully one day millions of lives
around the world. However, the Thankyou start-
up journey was definitely a challenging one. Yet
we learned so much from the numerous failures
and setbacks we’ve experienced which in turn
has helped shape the company and our team.
The lesson I would pass onto anybody trying
something new is to be bold. Don’t let criticism or
excuses prevent you from pursuing your dream.
I love this thought: “Impossibility is only
someone’s opinion, not a fact”.
In 2013 I was nominated by a mentor to take
part in the Victorian Young Achiever Award. It’s
always great to help get the word out there about
Thankyou and I thought at the time that the
award could potentially be a great way to build
awareness about our business. I was honoured to
be shortlisted amongst so many amazing finalists
and definitely surprised to win the award. I
remember thinking “What am I doing here” – the
calibre of people in the room was incredible.
I think winning this award really gave our
organisation added credibility and helped boost
our public profile, which is a great thing.
We’re always attempting to think of new ways we
can make a greater impact and part of that is our
focus on making Thankyou a household name.
We know once we’re in that position, Thankyou
has the capability to help hundreds of thousands
and then millions of people around the world.
“The lesson I would pass onto anybody trying something
new is to be bold. Don’t let criticism or excuses prevent you
from pursuing your dream.”
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards
are sponsored by the Victorian Government

58. PAGE 58
Cat Fagan - Getting Down to Business
As a child I was always interested in medicine
and the workings of the human body, but
mainly the brain. This led me to study allied
health assistance so that, one day, I can work
with patients and help them retrain their mind
and body. I have had a lot of experience with
physiotherapists due to a trampoline accident I
had as a child which resulted in ongoing back
problems. This, plus the issue of people wanting
to buy elegant waist training corsets without
stepping foot in a fetish shop, inspired my mother
and I to start our own business.
At 16 I reluctantly made the choice to leave
high school just after starting Year 12 due to
developing chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
For a few years I struggled to achieve anything
and went to countless doctors and specialist
appointments to have a vast number of tests
completed and then be a guinea pig for whatever
new medication they heard might work.
In 2010, I commenced study at Melbourne School
of Fashion. By the end of 2011 I had completed
three courses and had the skills to then spend
the next year developing the best and strongest
corset design I could.
Having the design and small scale manufacturing
know-how but lacking on the business side of
things, I needed something to help my business
along. While reading the Kingston Council paper
one day I came across a brief summary of the
Getting Down to Business program that included
an email address for contact. With some help
from a friend to write an application letter I
applied and was very gratefully accepted. While
I’m still not at 100 per cent and have some pretty
bad days, I also have a very supportive boyfriend
plus family and friends that make it much easier
and make me achieve my dreams. I look forward
to spending this year participating in the program
and developing my business as far as possible.
Getting Down to Business has given me more
education on structuring my business,
structuring the partnership, our rights and
responsibilities, and advice on getting the
business up and running. The opportunity to
pitch our ideas to a panel of successful business
people and receive feedback has been invaluable.
The program has also connected me with a mentor
in the fashion industry. I look forward to continuing
the program and developing my business.
“Getting Down to Business
has given me more education
on structuring my business,
structuring the partnership,
our rights and responsibilities,
and advice on getting the
business up and running.”
Getting Down to Business
is funded by the Victorian Government

59. PAGE 59
Hayden Layton - NEW GEN Thrive
In 2010 I enrolled at Youthworx Media. It would
be fair to say that I lacked motivation and had
little direction. When I enrolled in Youthworx
Media everything changed; before I knew it I was
fully immersed in film.
Youthworx Media’s model was perfect for the
headspace I was at; it didn’t fix my life, it gave
me the tools to do so myself. Within a couple
of months of starting the course I was working
on a Channel 31 production, Fringe Lane, and
everything seemed to snowball from that point
forward. I began making my own films and
before the year was out I had travelled to Sydney
and won an award for my work and started
working at a production company.
I am now working as the primary film producer
at Youthworx Productions. I’m responsible for
overseeing the production of all of our films and
training young people we employ on our projects.
As well as this role I am also kept busy behind
the scenes by working on the business. This
involves looking at our model, business structure
and processes that will help the Youthworx
to be more sustainable and continue to help
young people. To learn these skills I was able to
participate in the NEW GEN Thrive program.
The NEW GEN Thrive program consistently
teaches me new and useful things that help
make the development of Youthworx seamless
and focused. The other great thing is that you go
through the program with other organisations
facing the same issues.
The combination of skills and confidence that I
had achieved at NEW GEN Thrive had a massive
impact upon me. I have learned that to truly
change your life for the better and to dig yourself
out of holes, the change has to come from within
and that whilst others can help, its up to you.
I’d like to believe that all of the bad things about
me before Youthworx have slowly faded away
and all of the positives have grown and come
more into focus. I like to think that I have made
a difference for my organisation by exceeding
expectations and showing other young people
what they can achieve.
I recently won a very generous award: the
Australian Super Kick Start Career Award, at
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards. Whilst
on the stage with the sponsor she turned to me
and asked “What next?” I was speechless. To be

60. PAGE 60
standing there as a 20-year-old with a career and
with all of these amazing things happening to me
I couldn’t help but reflect on how comparatively
bleak my future was looking. Quite frankly,
anything from this point forward is just the
cherry on top of the cake.
NEW GEN Thrive is funded by the Victorian Government
“The NEW GEN Thrive program consistently teaches me
new and useful things that help make the development of
Youthworx seamless and focused.”

61. PAGE 61
David Brookes
Managing Director
Social Traders
“The Victorian Government’s New
Gen initiative enables Social Traders
to provide critical support to Young
Victorians pursing social enterprise
opportunities. We are privileged to
be supporting the next generation
of social enterprise leaders in
Victoria to develop their skills and
capabilities for the ultimate benefit
of our Victorian community.”

62. PAGE 62
Philip Liberatore - Involve Committee
My name is Philip Liberatore. I am 22 years
old and live in Wheelers Hill. I am currently
completing my fourth year of an Arts Law
Degree at Monash University, majoring in
psychology. I am interested in political issues and
history relating to Australia, England and the
United States, especially the rhetoric of politics
and power of speeches. Last year I participated
in a social justice program at Monash University
that confirmed my commitment to developing a
just society by ensuring that people are aware of
what protections the law offers them. In effect,
if you don’t know your rights then you don’t
have them. I am a member of the current Involve
Youth Advisory Committee.
I became aware of the Involve Committee
through my participation with the Monash
Young Person’s Reference Group (MYPRG),
which operates under the City of Monash’s
Youth and Family Services. Through MYPRG
young people work to raise awareness about
community issues such as youth homelessness
by organising projects such as The Monash Big
Sleep Out.
I applied to participate in the Involve Committee
because I am interested in how advice is
canvassed and used in the process of forming
political action and it seemed like a really
valuable way of experiencing this. I was also
interested in meeting with people from all
over Victoria.
As each Involve Committee is appointed, the
group determines the areas that it will report on
to the Minister of Youth Affairs. Our current
areas are young people and the law; public
transport; youth participation and employment .
I have been involved in interviewing a diverse
range of young people, disseminating surveys
and writing sections of group reports. We have
made formal submissions to the Minister for
Youth Affairs which have recommended ways to
improve policy in our areas of focus.
Through Involve and other programs I have
learned new skills. I completed a Department
of Human Services grant writing submission
workshop and I have worked as part of a
team reviewing applications from National
Youth week submissions. Along the way I’ve
learned to deal with timeframes and juggle
other commitments. It has been challenging
at submission time but you learn to do a
Michelangelo and just keep working into
the night.

63. PAGE 63
“The Involve Committee hasn’t just given me the
opportunity to meet other young people in the program,
it has also enabled me to meet young people from diverse
backgrounds from across Victoria.”
A powerful experience that I had with the
Involve Committee was going to listen to young
people at Melbourne Citymission express their
views about the law. I’d never heard opinions
expressed as graphically, but they powerfully
conveyed their perception of our society in terms
that gave me a new perspective of how the law
can be seen.
I think that one of the major benefits of a group
such as the Involve Committee is that either by
being a committee member or by contributing to
youth surveys you can express your opinion and
possibly contribute to changes in society.
The Involve Committee hasn’t just given me the
opportunity to meet other young people in the
program, it has also enabled me to meet young
people from diverse backgrounds from across
Victoria. I have learned that there is no one way
of seeing society and that you have to stand in
someone else’s shoes for more than a minute
to begin to understand their view. I’ve learned
that canvassing public opinion is like opening
a Pandora’s Box that shows how complex our
society is. You still have to open the box,
but be prepared for its contents to challenge
your preconceptions. The Involve Committee is
funded by the Victorian Government

64. PAGE 64
Rachel Furolo - Youth Central Roving Reporters
For any up and coming journalist, gaining
practical industry experience is everything.
Lecture notes and essays about writing styles and
interview skills will only get you so far. Getting
out and putting that knowledge to use is what
transforms a student into a professional.
For me, studying journalism was always the end
goal. Starting out in a Bachelor of Arts majoring
in Media and Communications at the University
of Melbourne, I learnt a lot about theory and less
about how to ‘be’ a journalist.
Going into my Masters of Journalism at the
beginning of 2014, I knew I needed to gain as
much experience as possible, not only to become
more confident in the field but also to make
contacts and better myself.
Now six months into my course, I am miles from
where I started, both in my knowledge of the
many facets of writing and my freshly gained
confidence from internships and volunteering.
The Roving Reporter Program, available with
Youth Central, was a particularly invaluable
experience that any journalism student or
aspiring reporter would benefit from. Through
the program, I was given the chance to report on
a large-scale event and conduct interviews, both
in person and over the phone.
I had previously reported on events in my time as
an editorial volunteer at Meld Magazine and this
assisted going into the Victorian Youth Achievers
Awards. At Meld I was given the opportunity to
attend events such as the Melbourne Fashion
Week Opening Show and the St Kilda Youth
Service Homeless World’s Longest Lunch,
writing up pieces afterwards.
The briefing before hand prepared me for the
Victorian Youth Achievers Awards and I was
confident going into the event in what my role
was and who I had to speak to. The awards
themselves focused on inspiring young people
and their achievements in bettering their
communities and I would need to cover this
event as the roving reporter.
Admittedly though, arriving at the Medallion
Club at Etihad Stadium into a room of over
300 people was daunting and unlike anything
I had done before. Through the sea of people I
somehow managed to find my contact person
and was given further instructions on how the
night would pan out. I would need to write two

65. PAGE 65
“The Roving Reporter Program is definitely something I
would recommend for a journalism student wanting to get
their work published through real-world experience.”
types of pieces, one on awards night itself and a
few profile pieces on the various winners.
I had come to learn that event reporting is all
about observation. Of course I’d have to write
down the names of award winners and basic
who, what, when, where, and why notes, but
in a really good events piece, it comes down to
more than that. It’s the vibe in the room, the
look on the winners’ faces, the intangible things.
I put this into practice at the awards, which left
me with so much material to work with when
it came time to write up the piece describing the
night itself.
I’ve always enjoyed writing profiling pieces and
with such inspiring and fascinating young people
to focus on, my job was easy. It involved asking
probing questions and learning as much as I
could about the winners and their achievements.
As expected, in the hype and craziness of
the night, it was a little difficult to corner the
winners and take a chunk of their time, so
I followed up with each winner via a phone
interview or by email.
Acting as a Roving Reporter, I found that I had
to employ a strong sense of confidence and
self-assurance when talking to new people. For
even the most social butterflies, walking up to
someone and introducing themselves is a little
scary. Journalists are constantly talking to people,
that’s what they do and being able to confidently
approach someone, be it the Minister for Youth
Affairs, a media personality or an ordinary
citizen, takes practice. As the night went on, this
became easier for me.
Attending the Victorian Youth Achievers
Awards was a great opportunity to use the skills
I had learned in a professional capacity and an
interesting insight into how a reporter acts at an
event from start to finish. The Roving Reporter
Program provided me with a wide range of
opportunities and experiences, it is definitely
something I would recommend for a journalism
student wanting to get their work published
through real-world experience.
For me, the future is exciting. Having just
completed an intensive internship at Mamamia
in Sydney and continuing my studies, I’m
confident that I’ll soon get where I want to be in
my field, one step at a time.
Youth Central Roving Reporters Program is
an initiative of the Victorian Government

66. PAGE 66
Jennifer Elcock - Wangaratta Monak Guides
My name is Jennifer, I’m 14 and in Year 10. I
enjoy Taekwondo, hip hop dancing, playing the
drums and going to Girl Guides. My favourite
subjects at school are maths, woodwork and
psychology. I’ve got a pretty big family and we
have three cats, a dog and two budgies.
I started going to Guides when I was seven or
eight. My parents had heard about it at my school
and they asked my sisters and I if we wanted to
try it. After the first day I started going to the
junior unit regularly with my twin. It wasn’t too
long before we made new friends and we always
had a great time.
At Guides we learn all kinds of outdoor skills, like
how to make bush donuts, put up tents and, of
course, we learn how to tie knots. We do lots of
craft, like making gifts for Mother’s and Father’s
Day, and we play unit games. We also go to lots of
camps and State Guide events.
In the junior unit I earned numerous badges
for knowledge or skill in areas such as the arts,
food, water, numbers and time management
and I also earned my Junior BP badge. To do this
I had to complete at least two tasks in each of
the six categories. This included helping to lead
a campfire, cooking a meal outdoors, learning a
Guiding game from another country and putting
together a ‘Be Prepared’ kit.
In this unit I also got the opportunity to be a
Patrol Leader and was able to participate in Clean
Up Australia Day, Anzac Day and Australia Day
events. When I turned 10, I was able to move up
into the senior unit.
In the senior unit I have been to outdoor cooking
nights, Guide celebrations and even a weeklong
state camp last year, which was an amazing
experience. I was a Patrol Leader every year until
I moved into the Honey Eaters patrol (13 years
and older) and now I often assist my unit’s Guide
Leader, Alex, to run the evening’s activities. I also
earned my BP badge, which is the next level up
from the Junior BP.
At Guides I have been given the opportunity to
carry the Australian National Flag at an Australia
Day ceremony and a Victoria Flag at Anzac Day
marches.
In the past few months I have started working
on my Queen’s Guide badge, which is the peak
achievement award for Girl Guides Australia.
The tasks and activities required to achieve this
badge cover a very wide range of challenges

67. PAGE 67
“Guides has taught me many important skills, not only
for the outdoors but it has also helped me become a better
citizen. I have met many new people and been given so
many great opportunities.”
including gaining a formal outdoor qualification
or certificate, researching a part of guiding
history, attending a residential youth leadership
skills event and committing to a three-month
community service project. I also have to develop
a new or existing interest for at least three
months and choose an area in which I would
like to undertake a six-month project in order to
demonstrate my understanding and appreciation
of the field.
Guides has taught me many important skills,
not only for the outdoors but it has also helped
me become a better citizen. I have met many
new people and been given so many great
opportunities. I intend to continue Guides until I
am 18 and maybe even become a Guide Leader in
the future.
Girl Guides Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

68. PAGE 68
Stephanie Limm - Change it Up
I’m Stephanie Limm, I’m 19 and live in Pascoe
Vale and Guildford. I’m currently studying
International Studies at the Royal Melbourne
Institute of Technology (RMIT). I’m really
interested in refugee rights and youth mental
health and in 2012 I participated in FYA Change
It Up Macedon Ranges.
I’d been a Macedon Ranges Youth Ambassador
since 2011, working in a team of students from
all the secondary education facilities in the area.
At the beginning we organised a successful
Youth Summit in Kyneton which informed us
of the most important issues relating to youth
in our area. We found out about the Change It
Up program from our mentor and general go-to
person who was helping with the organising.
We decided to work towards solutions for
some of the youth issues we had identified the
previous year.
During the Change It Up program we
participated in a number of workshops to help us
with networking, pitch writing and identifying
what we were passionate about. I was just past
my first term in Year 11 and doing two Year 12
subjects, debating and the school production;
I was stressed out of my mind! My friends at
school were experiencing the same thing. None
of us were prepared for what we’d signed up for.
We hadn’t been taught how to deal with stress
and really didn’t have good grounding in study
skills. When I was asked what was important to
me I basically just burst into tears. It was the first
time I had actually talked about how stressed I
was. That realisation gave me my pitch idea.
The program helped me bring the idea to life
during my remaining time at secondary college.
I created guides containing mental health
information and tips to be distributed to all
secondary students in the Macedon Ranges. I
decided to include a section on study skills and
time management, hopefully enough so that
everyone finds something useful. I also decided
to include basic physical health and dietary
information because a lack of exercise and
unhealthy eating habits can be large contributors
of stress and anxiety issues. It took me over a
year to research and collate the material for the
booklet, mainly because I was fitting it around
my study and because I struggle to delegate. Even
though I was offered help, I ended up writing the
booklet on my own.

69. PAGE 69
“I met so many new likeminded friends who I am still in
contact with. It’s great to be living in the city now so that I
can hopefully become more involved...”
Because a lot of students give up sport for Year
12, reducing from two to four sessions a week to
nothing, it can take a massive toll on your body
(trust me, I put on about five kilos when I stopped
playing netball). With the help of teachers and
staff, we organised to give students the option
of having at least one study period a fortnight
in the gym or doing meditation. Years 11 and
12 participated in Teen Mental Health First Aid
Training which teaches necessary skills such
as recognising the signs of mental illness in
your friends or yourself and the steps you
need to take.
I want to thank the team at Macedon Ranges
Shire Council and the other 2011-2013
ambassadors who gave me so much support
and FYA for giving all of us the tools we needed
to become young change-makers. My work on
teen mental health for VCE students will ensure
that VCE students at my school (and hopefully
expanding to other schools in my region)
receive Teen Mental Health First Aid Training,
information about common mental health issues
which effect teens predominately during their
VCE years and how to cope with and address
them. They also received access to a booklet
they can refer back to when dealing with mental
health issues such as stress and anxiety or when
they need more ideas on how to study effectively.
The three years I spent working with the council
as part of the ambassador’s program were really
some of the best moments of my life. During that
time, as well as during Change It Up, I met so
many new likeminded friends who I am still in
contact with. It’s great to be living in the city now
so that I can hopefully become more involved in
more Foundation for Young Australians programs
and meet new people in vibrant Melbourne.
Change It Up is funded by the Victorian Government

70. PAGE 70
Aleisha Lannigan - Engage!
I’m Aleisha Lannigan and I’m twenty years
old. In September of 2013, I participated in
Berry Street’s Living Independent Program. I
discovered the program from a flyer advertising
the short course. Being at the age where I’m
considering moving out of home, I figured it was
a brilliant opportunity. It seemed like a fantastic
way to learn about the things I would need to
know before I leave home and become totally
independent. The fact that the program was
created for people my age who are in the same
situation as me made me think that it would be
valuable and relevant. It would be a great way to
gain knowledge of the things that nobody seems
to tell you about until you’re faced with them.
During the three-day program we covered a
vast range of topics. Each day we learned about
something different. With guest speakers
participating, the Living Independent Program
allowed us to gain insights from professionals
from Rural Housing, Victoria Police, Nexus Primary
Health and ANZ’s ‘Money Minded’ program.
Nexus Primary Health combined with a
member from the police force gave us a very
useful presentation on the dangers of drugs,
focusing on the drugs that are prevalent
within our community. Nexus also encouraged
us to participate in group discussions and
activities regarding alcohol. We engaged in
open discussions on the safe consumption of
alcohol, its effects on our health and wellbeing,
and how to look after ourselves and our
friends when alcohol is involved. Being able
to talk about our experiences and thoughts in
a friendly environment among peers as well
as professionals, allowed to us have mature
conversations about our opinions and we came
up with a variety of ideas to keep ourselves and
our friends safe when drugs and alcohol are
involved in social situations.
Our guest speaker from Rural Housing made a
presentation on the housing options available
to us and our responsibilities and rights as
tenants. I learned so much from this activity and,
perhaps because it contained so much relevant
information, certainly found it the most valuable
of all. Moving out of home isn’t something you
seem to think about or research until the last
minute, when it’s thrust upon you. Luckily,
thanks to participating in this program, we were
able to learn about every aspect of housing and
accommodation and we received handouts for
future reference. That afternoon we participated

71. PAGE 71
“Participating in the program has made me feel more
confident and mature, and that I can deal with the challenges
that being independent will throw at me.”
in a cooking activity where we discussed
shopping lists, groceries and how to cook for
ourselves. Maintaining good nutrition is a vital to
our health. The program ensured that we would
be able to take care of ourselves when we do
happen to move out of home.
ANZ’s program was beneficial to us. We
participated in activities and discussions
including how to budget, sign up for a mobile
phone contract, read electricity and gas bills, how
to prioritise our spending, as well as learning
about our bank accounts, credit cards, and ways to
save. This was fantastic because, prior to this, I
had to learn how to budget or pay bills on my own.
The three-day program enabled all those
involved to share experiences and to learn
together. Each step of the way there was a leader
with us to encourage and teach us. The program
was jam-packed with useful and relevant
information, giving us the resources and skills to
deal with living independently.
Participating in the program has made me feel
more confident and mature, and that I can deal
with the challenges that being independent will
throw at me. I now know about the organisations
that can help me along the way. Being presented
with such a fantastic opportunity has helped me
so much and I feel as though it was essential for
me. I would like to thank all those involved for
enabling me and my peers to participate in such
a well-planned and useful course, which has
prepared us all and given us a valuable insight
into living independently.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

72. PAGE 72
James Rogers - The Reach Foundation
My name is James Rogers. I am 18 years old and
have recently moved out of home in Geelong
to Parkville. I finished Year 12 last year and am
currently not studying because I’m unsure what
I want to do with my future. I love footy and
hanging out with my mates on the weekends.
I was 15 when I first got involved with Reach.
I didn’t really have a lot of guidance; I was an
angry kid and I wasn’t going down a very good
path at all. I was getting suspended from school
and looking at being expelled.
I went to a Reach program called Heroes Day,
which at the time was run by Jim Stynes. Jim
saw that I was quite disengaged. He made me
stand up in front of everyone and asked me one
simple question: “Who are you?” I had no idea
how to answer that and he facilitated me to a
point of honesty and, for me, it was the first time
a male had really seemed keen to know a bit
more about me than surface level stuff. Jim then
followed me up and made sure I went on a Reach
camp. He really ‘had my back’.
I ended up becoming crew at Reach and the older
guys really looked out for me. I never thought I
would be in the position I am in now. All it took
was for someone to have a bit of faith in me and
show me the way.
When I heard about the Locker Room program
I was keen as a bean to be a part of it because
of how much I lacked male guidance growing
up. These days there are a lot of broken homes
and I can relate to that, as well as a lot of other
common themes that come up for young men.
And, as someone who is still in their age bracket,
I know how important it is to speak about how
we are really feeling and what’s actually going on
in our lives.
As a Facilitator of Locker Room my job is to set
up activities and guide discussions where the
boys can be more aware of the male stereotype
and how that plays out in day-to-day life. With
that discussion comes the other side which is to
challenge that stereotype a little bit and speak
about the things we wouldn’t normally talk
about, such as self image, sexuality, intimacy
and family issues. A lot of the time it’s awkward
to talk about at first, but once someone is brave
enough to open up it gives permission to the rest
of the group to do so. I know how important it is
to ‘vent’ sometimes and Locker Room provides
that opportunity.

73. PAGE 73
“I never thought I would be in the position I am in now.
All it took was for someone to have a bit of faith in me
and show me the way.”
One of my highlights from Locker Room is when
an ‘alpha male’ jumps up and challenges the
stereotype and opens up about what is really
going on in his life. It is so powerful and can
sometime encourage a culture at their school
which makes it acceptable for a dude to not
always be okay, if that’s the truth.
It is such a rewarding program because I feel like
the lessons you can learn about yourself and
the people around you are far more valuable
than just learning subjects at school – and when
you are more stable emotionally you are more
likely to do better in your studies and be more
successful later on in life.
Locker Room highlights the importance of
positive role models and I feel like I am a positive
role model for all of the young people I work with.
Reach’s Locker Room Program is
funded by the Victorian Government

74. PAGE 74
Reni Maddaford - Wakakirri
My name is Reni Maddaford and I am currently
studying at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
in Bentleigh. I am studying VCE VET Dance,
VCAL, VCE Visual Communications and I attend
TAFE and work placement within the dance
industry. I teach ballroom to primary school
students once a week. This year is quite busy for
me but I feel it is important to balance work with
my hobbies.
Every second year my school participates in the
Rock Eisteddfods and now the Wakakirri Secondary
School Challenge. Last year was our school’s
first Wakakirri Challenge and I was part of the
student creative team. Guided and supported by
our dance teacher, Mrs Gina Coetzee, the Year 11
creative team developed and choreographed the
storyline, using our school pillars as inspiration.
As a requirement, the stories shared in the
festivals need to make use of a range of art
mediums such as dance, song, film, art and
writing. The stories are then to be performed,
screened and displayed across Australia.
I love dancing and was in charge of
choreographing the first section of the dance
performance. I led warm-ups, set lunchtime
rehearsals, choreographed, selected music and
costumes, and collaborated with the make-up artist. I
worked with a range of year levels from Year 7 to
Year 12 and learned how to manage a group of
27 dancers. After my choreography was complete
I then joined as a lead character in the performance.
Australia’s Jason Coleman was on the judging
panel and he had two scholarships to offer for
one female and one male dancer for his 2013
summer school at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of
Dance. I won the best female dancer scholarship
and attended class from 9am to 4pm each day
for a week. Through this experience I made
network connections, met choreographers
and got to experience life as a dancer. It also
helped develop my confidence, organisation
and team work skills. I also had to overcome
unforeseen difficulties such as absent dancers
and accommodating a range of physical abilities
within one group.
I was quite star struck when I met Jason Coleman
on stage, he is someone I look up to and I was
very honoured to be selected for the summer
school scholarship. I would not hesitate to be a
part of Wakakirri in the future.
“...I made network
connections, met
choreographers and
got to experience
life as a dancer.”
Wakakirri is sponsored by the Victorian Government

75. PAGE 75
“Wakakirri gives students a platform; a chance
to share their very own story; not only in their
moment on stage, but during the process of
learning and creating of their Performance. To
witness these young adults grow in their talent,
express themselves so creatively and demonstrate
such commitment in their involvement, is quite
a privilege and makes us very proud to be
partnered with the Victorian Government as we
host the Secondary School Challenge. Our search
for Australia’s Best Stories continues to amaze
us as the opportunity for students to present
such works is inspiring. It’s the insight to their
concerns and aspirations as well as the beginning
chapter of their own future story.”
Angela Zangari
National Coordinator Wakakirri

76. PAGE 76
Talin Hadlow - Engage!
My involvement with Lilydale Youth Services,
began with the Young Leaders Program in 2011
when I was in Year 12. Although I was excited
for a new opportunity and to meet new people,
I was nervous to step out of my comfort zone,
join something without friends and speak up
about our community. Young Leaders provided
me with the confidence and passion to continue
my involvement with Youth Services and
further opportunities, as well as build on my
leadership skills.
I was introduced to other programs Lilydale
Youth Services has to offer such as the ROAR
Camp, in which I participated as a leading
mentor to the kids in 2012 and 2014, plus the
Youth Summit, where I was the co-emcee in
2012 and 2014.
The support and opportunities the faculty
members at Youth Services have provided me
with influences and reaches all aspects of my life,
including university and work. It inspires me to
take on more challenges and build my confidence
as a leader, to help local youth and stay
connected to Youth Services. I still get nervous
about stepping out of my comfort zone, however
all these amazing experiences I have been given
make it worth the butterflies and sweaty palms.
Lauren Eudey and Simon Williams both
encouraged me to take part in the ROAR camps after
equipping me with the skills and confidence to
lead and positively influence the kids attending.
I was able to run my own leadership activities as
well as co-lead with others, which enabled me to
learn from a group environment, gain confidence
and positively brainstorm leadership ideas and
events. It was an awesome experience!
The kids (and leaders) were provided with
challenging tasks on the 2014 ROAR camp such
as raft building, a high ropes course and rock
climbing. It was great to see the encouragement
displayed between them all, after only knowing
each other for a day or two.
We learned that everyone has limits in what they
choose or are able to do and some pushed their
limits to achieve these tasks with the help and
encouragement of their team mates. The young
leaders on camp tackled all we threw at them; not
only physical challenges, but team, leadership
and skill-based learning too. They were able to
grow, develop ideas and express what leadership

77. PAGE 77
“My mission is to ignite, dream and explore in inner peace
and freedom.”
is to them and how they can apply it to their own
lives and surroundings.
It is great seeing the young leaders on camp still
actively involved with Youth Services, putting
together their own projects and taking their new
and polished skills of leadership, group work and
task building to their schools and communities.
I continue to gain so much from Youth Services
programs, especially the ROAR Camp. It’s great to
get involved with local kids, positively influence
them and encourage them, much as Simon and
Lauren encouraged me to learn and develop skills
and passion of community work.
As a part of our session we all developed mission
statements, I’ve included mine: My mission is
to ignite, dream and explore in inner peace
and freedom.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

78. PAGE 78
Ben Rowles - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporter
Back in early 2013 I was lucky enough to be
selected as part of the inaugural Rookie Reporter
Program run by AFL Media in conjunction with
Youth Central and the Victorian Government.
In the initial stages of my application process, I
wasn’t really expecting a great deal to come of it.
I had only just started my second year studying
a Bachelor of Sports Journalism at La Trobe
University and had been turned down for similar
roles with other sporting organisations.
As I went through the process though, I started
to become excited at the prospect of working at
one of the great media outlets in this country
and the experience I could walk away with if I
was selected for the program. Eventually, after
submitting a few articles and attending a few
interviews, I got the good news that I would be
joining four other young people at AFL Media
over the coming months.
From my first day walking around the wonderful
facilities at AFL House I can honestly say I didn’t
have a bad experience. Some of the roles I had
to complete early on were quite tedious and
simplistic (holding microphones, light reflectors
and banners at press conferences and so forth),
but I recognise that they are all part of getting the
complete experience, from the ground up.
My debut press conference (affectionately known
in journalistic circles as a “presser”), was a routine
Mick Malthouse appearance at Carlton Football
Club’s Visy Park. The thing that struck me about
Malthouse was his presence among the reporters
in the room. I shared an audience with him after
the press conference as part of a university group
where a much lighter, jovial side to the three-
time-premiership coach was revealed.
Another solid learning experience came
when I asked my first question at a presser to
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson. While the press
conference was a scheduled one, it took place in
a pretty informal setting at the check-in area of
Melbourne Airport before the Hawks flew out to
play a match in Adelaide.
I wouldn’t say I was nervous about asking a
question but I did make a concerted effort to
bide my time and make sure it was relevant to
the game ahead. Fortunately, Clarkson was good
enough to give me a pretty detailed answer about
the impending return of midfielder Brad Sewell.

79. PAGE 79
I also enjoyed attending a few games in the press
box, writing match reports or articles based on
the end-of-game interviews conducted by the
coaches. I worked on a piece that provides a
short summary for each round of the season for
publication in the 2013 Grand Final edition of the
AFL Record.
All of these experiences have reaffirmed to
me that this is the path I want to take with
my career. My time spent working with the
wonderful array of journalists, presenters and
editors at AFL Media has been an invaluable
addition to my university studies and is a venture
I know will hold me in good stead for the future.
“My time spent working with the wonderful array of
journalists, presenters and editors at AFL Media has been an
invaluable addition to my university studies and is a venture I
know will hold me in good stead for the future.”
The AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters Program
is supported by the Victorian Government

80. PAGE 80
Madeline Walter - FReeZA
My name is Madeline Walter. I am 17 years old
and live in Bendigo, Victoria. Coming into the
FReeZA program in 2012 I was shy and lacked
some serious self-confidence. If you had asked
me back then to present an idea to a room of
people or to approach a venue owner about a
gig I would have run and hid at the thought of
doing so. I joined FReeZA with one of my best
friends in a spur of the moment decision but in
retrospect it is possibly one of the best decisions
I’ve ever made.
Being in such a supportive and teen-action
positive group has taught me so many things
over the last three years. A youth-active group
such as the FReeZA program is the perfect place
to put forward an idea for a local event or to try
and start a youth movement.
Having the support of not only the group’s youth
participation officer but the whole office, and my
peers, has empowered not just me but my friends
within the group to take action in reducing
the stigma placed against teens. It has enabled
us to be active contributors to our community
by organising events, whether they are small
acoustic gigs at the library, big headline gigs filled
with Triple J artists or volunteering at music
festivals. FReeZA provided these opportunities
for growth and independence.
Among the music events, being part of the team
has provided me with opportunities to undergo
training and information days with industry
professionals and allowed me to take part in
youth surveys and be present at the times
when council is approving rules that will affect
the youth.
Through the participation in FReeZA it
has become evident that, while a stigma
exists around young people, it only takes an
enthusiastic and passionate group of teens to
make a difference within the community. Now,
instead of being that shy person I was back at the
beginning, I have gained skills in setting up for a
gig, vital lessons in time management, some great
people skills and have grown the confidence,
self-motivation and skill-set required to be an
active and happy contributor to my community.
This has all been through the support of my local
FReeZA group.
“A youth-active group such
as the FReeZA program
is the perfect place to put
forward an idea for a local
event or to try and start a
youth movement.”
FReeZA is funded by the Victorian Government

81. PAGE 81
Andrew Stallion - Engage!
My name is Andrew and I’m 13 years old. I live
with my Nana a bit outside the Latrobe City
on some farm land. I was getting a bit lonely
sometimes because I’m a fair way from where
my friends live.
Before I got involved in the Engage! Program
I wasn’t going to school and I spent a fair bit
of time on my own. My Nan heard about the
program at Berry Street and it sounded like a
bit of fun so I thought I’d give it a go. I was very
nervous as I didn’t know what to expect from
the meeting.
My Nan made a time for me to meet Don, and he
came to our home.
I met with Don from Berry Street and he told me
all about the program. Don told me about options
and also said I could start slowly, the first thing
was to meet the Engage! Youth Worker and see
what the program was about in person.
The activity that I was most interested in to start
was the Skate Deck program, where you get to
decorate a Skate Deck. They also had an Art
program that sounded good. I also started to go
and volunteer every now again at Meals on Wheels.
I ended up getting involved in the Art and Skate
Deck programs to start with. I got to meet some
new people and learn some new skills.
I even helped some of the others learn
something. In the Art program we were making
Looms and the others weren’t sure how to make
them, but I’d made them before, so I was able to
show them how to make them. It made me feel
pretty good about myself.
I found that getting involved in the Engage!
Program helped me meet some new friends, learn
some new skills and get me out of the house. It
even got me back to school through the help of
Berry Street.
If someone asked me about the Engage! Program
I would say to them to get involved. It was fun
and something I looked forward to each week. I
would suggest the program to anyone who might
just need a little more support than others to get
where it is they want to go.
“I found that getting involved
in the Engage! Program
helped me meet some new
friends, learn some new skills
and get me out of the house.
It even got me back to school.”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

82. PAGE 82
Nick - Engage!
Hi I’m Nick. There are a few things you need to
know about me: I’m 18, have an illness and I just
had an amazing lunch. Now for all to know – my
super dooper wacky ingredients I used to cook
the most AMAZING AWESOMEST lunch you
have to see to believe.
So it all started with a BIG BANG. Back in 1995
a young, chubby, adorable rascal of a kid named
Nicholas was born. One of the ingredients I used,
which worked for the first time, winning hearts,
was Port Adelaide. Yes, I’m an Adelaide boy; we
won the 2004 AFL Grand Final.
Now, the second ingredient involved a bit of
moving and organisational skills and, of course,
time. It starts with some motivation, team work
and boxes. The main ingredient was Victoria and
the base for this awesome lunch was the most
important - South Australia. This is the first part
to making this lunch.
So in the process of this lunch I forgot the main
ingredient which was… my step mum passing
away. But they all say, if there is a will there
is a way.
So now for the next ingredient to this lunch that
you, yes you, could be adding to sometime soon.
This ingredient involves doing some voluntary
work in the local primary school for around one
year and then meeting an organisation on
‘Sunrise’ (the TV show that is on very early).
Yes, I was awake, surprise, surprise, to check this
out. Next ingredient involves walking up to the
school and being told again by this organisation
named STREAT, “No, this is not your local
STREAT. Before you even start this nonsense,
this organisation is a non-profit organisation, just
like a homeless person.” WAIT… homelessness…
where have I heard that before?
I was forgetting to mention that the next
ingredient was to make a phone call, and to get
this phone number you have to get up and do
some work. NO, not housework; voluntary work
in a primary school just like I did.
So a phone call later and another ingredient
cooked for the recipe. Yep, not long now ‘til you
can eat it and, more importantly, cook it for
yourself. So I have made this phone call and been
introduced to a kind lady from the street…
OH I MEANT STREAT, the organisation I
mentioned earlier.

83. PAGE 83
Well, the next step in the recipe is to meet
Brenda (who is the lady from the street, oops I
mean STREAT, still getting used to this, forgive
me… just like I would forgive you for getting my
coffee order wrong in a café at Flemington). The
next key ingredient in this awesome lunch is… a
STREAT café in Flemington… Yes, you just read
right, STREAT has a café in Flemington.
Earlier I mentioned making an error with a
coffee order. Well, I got it backwards and I
messed up your order, sorry about that. You said,
“Latte, skinny” and I made it normal. Oh well, we
learn from our mistakes. So now you know that
I’m doing work experience at Flemo with a girl
named Maddie which has brought me to the next
step of this awesome lunch and that is to make
a few hundred coffees in around three months.
Yep, I can make lattes thanks to Maddie. Then
the next ingredient guys - get work experience in
the Flemo kitchen.
So in the kitchen, the next ingredient is to make
an avocado smash. Yep, done that step, and the
next one, then meet Emma and Kirsten to do life
skills and some study.
Next ingredient - work experience in the
BIIGGGGG kitchen with this guy who has a
SCAARY Kiwi accent. He’s a tattooed but not-so-
tall bloke named Dylan.
I’ll skip a couple of small steps now but the main
ingredient is… get in the production kitchen and
get down and dirty. No, I don’t mean to get flour
on the floor and roll in it. I mean get cooking,
food prep, get your hands dirty, cut up some
onions and let your eyes water. That is what I did.
The last thing you need to know about me is…
that from my STREAT story I can make a latte
and just cooked and ate this most amazing
lunch which you can cook now… And that is my
STREAT to riches and success story.
“Get cooking, food prep, get your hands dirty, cut up some
onions and let your eyes water. That is what I did.”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

84. PAGE 84
Catherine Payne - Winner of the Minister for Youth
Affairs Sustainability Award 2014
I am Catherine Payne, 24 years old from
Brunswick, Victoria, and the winner of the
Minister for Youth Affairs Sustainability Award
2014 at the Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
My passion for ecology and conservation was
sparked by a study I conducted in Year 12 into
the causes of mortality in the endangered
Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. From research
into the human disturbance of birds, to urban
microbat roosting behaviour and invasive species
ecology, my enthusiasm for the natural world
helps me to educate and engage our community
about wildlife conservation.
Whilst pursuing a career in ecology, I’ve
completed a Bachelor of Science at the University
of Melbourne, publishing a study on the human
disturbance of black swans in a peer-reviewed
academic journal in my final year. I have been
contributing towards black swan research since
2010, regularly catching and monitoring the
birds at Albert Park Lake. There is a high level
of interest in the swan population from the
large numbers of public that visit the lake. This
provides a great opportunity to educate people
about the work of the project and the wildlife
of urban Melbourne. It also engages people in
the citizen science arm of the project where
members of the public can submit sightings of
collared swans across Melbourne.
I recognised the importance of volunteer
work during my studies and formed the now
1000-member Deakin University Ecology
Volunteer Register to help undergraduate
ecology students gain practical experience and
complete placements with conservation research
projects in Australia and across the world. As
a keen wildlife photographer, my photographs
have been used for conservation promotion as
well as in mainstream media, and I hope they
make a positive contribution to the preservation
of wildlife.
From working at the Avon Wildlife Trust in
England, assessing the quality of remnant
wetland habitats, to volunteering on a wildlife
reserve in the Orkney Islands and heading to
Hungary for a placement with the Barn Owl
Foundation, I became eligible for the Minister

85. PAGE 85
“Be open to new opportunities and don’t be afraid
to take a leap of faith every now and then, you
never know where it may lead.”
for Youth Affairs Sustainability Award. This is
an achievement I am really proud of, and I am
honoured to have received the award. My advice
now to other young people is to follow your
passion, be open to new opportunities and don’t
be afraid to take a leap of faith every now and
then - you never know where it may lead!
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards are
supported by the Victorian Government

86. PAGE 86
Paul Bastin - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters
As an AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporter I
found it hard to believe the company I was
keeping as part of my internship. You know
that moment when your eyes suddenly sharpen
focus and you become acutely aware of your
surroundings and your position within them?
The significance of that point in time crystallises
in your mind as an epiphany - you’re in a private
room talking to the greatest footballer of all time.
As clichéd as it sounds, being accepted into the
inaugural Rookie Reporter program at AFL
Media was legitimately surreal. On day one, the
meet-and-greet with my fellow rookie reporters,
I turned up extra early to try and create a
positive first impression. Waiting excitedly in the
reception area, AFL National Talent Manager,
Kevin ‘Shifter’ Sheehan, and Hawthorn gun,
Shaun Burgoyne, walked past. I couldn’t contain
my smile. It would only get better from there.
I was assigned to Thursday nights, assisting with
team selection news and the AFL website’s live
chat with Adam McNicol. I was also helping
Lucas Shearer, Jack Haley and the rest of the
production team on Lethal’s Last Word, a weekly
video, hosted by Leigh Matthews and Jacqui
Reed, where they analysed two key matches of
the round.
The first few weeks were largely about finding
the best way to be useful. You can learn a
lot through observation and my journalistic
development was certainly fast-tracked by
watching professionals perform their duties.
I was also very mindful of trying to provide a
helping hand.
Going to press conferences and writing news
pieces were a real point of interest heading into
the program. I wanted to learn ‘presser’ (press
conference) etiquette - when to ask questions,
how to ask them, where to stand and so on - and
to practise identifying a story angle and promptly
producing an article. It’s the sort of stuff you can
only learn by being there.
I attended Essendon, Carlton and Western
Bulldogs’ press conferences, most of which
involved shadowing Jacqui Reed. I have to
thank Jacqui for being so generous with her
time and allowing me to tag along on several
occasions. She even allowed me to take control of
writing a piece from a Western Bulldogs presser,
workshopping it with me step by step. I have
benefitted greatly from that experience.
The day of the Carlton press conference in
early July was one of the more memorable.

87. PAGE 87
After seeing Mick Malthouse at his prickly
best over Hawk-Eye technology, Jacqui, Ben
Collins, cameraman Lloyd and I went to the
MCG to cover an event with Collingwood star
Dale Thomas. Running short of time, with
Melbourne’s press conference still needing to be
covered, my name was put forward to be the AFL
Media representative. Like a substitute player, it
was my time to step in and have an impact.
Trust was a common theme throughout the
program. One Monday I sat in on a meeting for
Access All Areas, a video hosted by Luke Darcy
and Damien Barrett.
Having had a taste, becoming part of that inner
sanctum on a full time basis remains a real
source of motivation going forward. Being an
AFL journalist is hard work but, if given the
opportunity, I would hardly call it “work”. When
passion and enjoyment are present, “fulfilling
career” is a much more accurate description.
That’s a kick worth chasing.
“When passion and enjoyment are present, ‘fulfilling
career’ is a much more accurate description. That’s a
kick worth chasing.”
The AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters Program
is supported by the Victorian Government

88. PAGE 88
Tess Lawley - SYN Media
I am 22 years old and when I moved to the city
from Benalla in country Victoria to study and
pursue a career in media, a bunch of people in
the industry told me to volunteer in community
radio and check out this place called SYN. I joined
up as a member in 2012 and haven’t looked back.
SYN Media has given me opportunities that
no university course could offer, with practical
experience in news and current affairs, arts
journalism, music announcing and interviewing.
Though I joined SYN to gain these skills, what
has kept me at the organisation is a whole
community of passionate young media makers
who have become my best friends, work
colleagues and driving force. I have achieved
so much more than I set out to at the beginning
of my time volunteering, including pushing
myself to manage volunteers and produce audio
documentaries (which I thought I could never do).
I’ve also been lucky to join SYN as an employee.
As the Radio Trainer I worked just a few hours
a week to teach 40 volunteers per month all
aspects of broadcasting on community radio. This
was one of the most exhilarating and confidence
boosting experiences I’ve ever had. At the start of
2014 I took on a new role and a new challenge to
support regional and interstate SYN volunteers
as the National Youth Media Project Coordinator.
This role has utilised and built upon my
management skills and allows me to contribute
to something I’m passionate about: letting young
people in non-metropolitan areas have their
voices heard!
I’m so grateful to SYN’s volunteers and staff for
helping me and so many other young people find
a career path to be excited about. I’m now facing
the start of my career and I’m not completely
terrified. But above all else, I’ve found a second
home at SYN and, as I learnt pretty quickly
after moving to the city, sometimes you need
that when your first home is a few hundred
kilometres away.
I’ve loved every minute of my time in community
radio, though it has not always been easy. The
biggest challenge I have found is one that most
young people face on a weekly basis - money.
For four years I was studying full time, working
at least two part-time jobs and volunteering in
three community media roles at any given time.
This meant an incredibly busy, stressful schedule
and a lot of noodles, but I was lucky to find a
great support network in SYN volunteers in a
similar situation.

89. PAGE 89
“SYN Media has given me opportunities that no
university course could offer, with practical experience in
news and current affairs, arts journalism, music
announcing and interviewing.”
Through the wonderful network of staff and
volunteers at SYN I have been introduced
to so many interesting people and opinions,
broadening my thinking and understanding of
the world. I have gained so much by meeting
and working with people who have come from
different backgrounds and experiences; it has
given me a greater understanding of myself,
Melbourne and Australian society.
But I think the most important thing SYN has
given me is a voice. I have seen firsthand the
incredible difference that this can make to a
person. It wasn’t until I left my country town and
started volunteering in community radio that I
realised how frustrated I had been when I didn’t
have a voice, constantly feeling as though my
opinion was irrelevant. Since becoming heavily
involved at SYN, I’ve had the opportunity to
voice my opinions on many platforms and start
conversations that are important to me. I hope
one day that every young person in Australia has
this opportunity.
SYN Media is funded by the Victorian Government

90. PAGE 90
Sean Porter - Engage!
I had an idea that would shake the lazy
generation tag that young people have inherited.
With so many negative vibes about Gen Y
overshadowing the good things we do, I wanted
to use my passion and skills for photography
to provide the opportunity for young people to
network and gain skills or a portfolio that would
help them as adults.
I work as Managing Director of Photo Booth, an
instabooth photo booth hire company, and I’m
also developing a new product for commercial
and private events which will collect data and
photos. I am interested in developing new
innovations and have been participating in
Banyule 100 from late 2010 to the present.
Banyule 100 is a website with a portrait and an
article on some inspirational locals.
The project came about after I approached
Council at the end of 2010 with a concept that
would use the arts to celebrate the culture of our
local community. I have a passion for celebrating
all the positive things about young people and
thanking the adults who support them.
We kicked off the project in late 2010 with the
launch of our website, www.banyule100.com.
In late 2011 Council received Engage! funding
which enabled us to take Banyule 100 to the
next level. The funding allowed us to expand
the project in many different directions. We
have had a series of exhibitions showcasing the
project at community events, we’ve provided
journalism and photography training to the
young volunteers who contribute content
for Banyule 100 and I’ve mentored up and
coming young photographers and worked with
emerging videographers in the production of two
promotional videos.
On top of this we’ve provided the young writers
from Banyule 100 with further opportunities
to improve their skills through the creation of a
spin off blog project called Truth4Youth (www.
truth4youth.com.au). We’ve also trained five of the
young people profiled in Banyule 100 so that they
can tell their motivational stories to school groups.
So far we’ve highlighted nearly 40 people; now
they’re in the public eye and being celebrated. One
young person we’ve profiled during the project is
a 14 year old who has dyslexia and is a filmmaker.
After meeting through the project I mentored
him and helped build his camera skills. I was
impressed with how he deals with adversity.

91. PAGE 91
“Setting up Banyule 100 has helped me develop
organisational skills and learn to work with all different
types of people.”
Throughout the project there have been new
opportunities for individuals to network and be
recognised and rewarded for their work; we are
now working on a coffee table book that will
feature the first 50 people profiled. This project
has only been made possible thanks to the
Engage! funding.
Many of us involved in Banyule 100 have
valuable items to include in our resumes as well
as a portfolio of photos or published written
works. The two young writers (Joely and Annie)
who originally started on Banyule 100 were
able to use the project as a springboard to create
Truth4Youth.
Personally, I struggled at school and left
mainstream school after Year 9. I applied for
a Diploma in Photo Imaging at RMIT at the
end of my VCAL studies and was accepted.
Having a portfolio at the age of 17 that showed
the extent of my work was helpful. It showed
the diversity and standard of my photos and
demonstrated that I could work in a team and
also that I conduct myself professionally in a local
government environment.
Setting up Banyule 100 has helped me develop
organisational skills and learn to work with all
different types of people. I’ve become better at
public speaking (I spoke at the launch of Mission
Australia’s Youth Survey and to the Year 9
students at Macleod College) and I’m more adept
at working with professionals.
The project has helped shape the photographer
I am today. I’ve come a long way since I dropped
out of Year 9. I had an idea of where I wanted
to go but not necessarily how I’d go about doing
it. With the Engage! funding and support of my
project, Banyule 100 has expanded beyond my
wildest dreams.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

92. PAGE 92
Bethany Knight - The Reach Foundation
My name is Bethany. I am 25 years old and
work for the youth organisation, the Reach
Foundation. I got involved with Reach as a
shy, quiet and awkward 16-year-old, when I
participated in one of the many workshops Reach
offers. I had no idea what to expect but I found
it to be a place where I could speak really openly
and honestly about myself, with a bunch of
incredibly supportive people my own age. It was
an opportunity to look at my life in a way I never
had before.
I have participated in and run almost every
workshop that Reach has to offer, but one of
my favourite things that I have ever been a part
of is ‘Birdcage’, an all-day, all-female workshop
delivered in schools for the entire year level.
Birdcage covers an extensive range of influences
that young girls are presented with every day,
including social media, magazines, celebrities,
friends and family. It looks at how these things
can impact our behaviour and therefore how we
influence each other.
I became involved in Birdcage at the end of
2012 as part of a team aiming to redevelop
the workshop content to make it more fresh,
accessible and relevant for young girls. The
workshop aims to empower young women with
the knowledge and resilience to choose who they
want to be. It took a year of planning to develop
the workshop that we are now delivering to girls
in schools around Victoria.
I think Birdcage allows girls to see everything
that makes up their world and how it can affect
them as an individual. It’s also a chance for girls
to see other people in their year level in a new
way, which can be incredibly powerful.
One of the most common responses we get when
running Birdcage is that it’s the first chance a lot
of participants have had to connect with other
girls in a genuine way, especially since we are
living in a society where we communicate largely
via social media. Birdcage allows girls to open up
about their experiences and bond with others.
One of the biggest challenges with this workshop
is that the social influences we speak about are
constantly changing. There is always a new
trend, a new celebrity scandal, a new social media
update that has to be included in the content to
ensure it’s current, relevant and engaging.
Another challenge is that there is just so much
content that we could include in our workshops

93. PAGE 93
“...Birdcage has had an extraordinarily positive impact in my
life and I am very proud to be a part of the program.”
– almost too much to tackle. When you really
start to look at everything that young girls see,
what they are involved in, what they think
about themselves and others, what is expected
of them as girls and as teenagers, it can be very
overwhelming.
As a young woman myself, it’s an incredible
privilege to go into schools and work with these
girls and hopefully create some sort of change
within them. I know from personal experience
what it feels like to look around at everything in
my life and feel pressured to be a certain way.
My aim is to work with these girls and help them
realise that they always have a choice in who
they want to be and the potential to become that
person. I am constantly learning from these girls
and taking lessons in to my own life.
I have no doubt that being a part of Birdcage has
had an extraordinarily positive impact in my life
and I am very proud to be a part of the program.
I sincerely believe that we are creating positive
change in girls and that they can walk away
feeling empowered. I have witnessed so many
amazing, courageous and beautiful moments; it
makes you realise how unbelievably powerful
young women can be.
Reach’s Birdcage Program is funded
by the Victorian Government

94. PAGE 94
Damien Mauch - Engage!
My name is Damien Mauch, I am 17 years old
and live in Monbulk,Victoria. I am currently
studying Year 12 at Monbulk College. When I’m
not studying I like hanging out with my friends,
watching movies and online gaming. I’ve been
involved with Youth Services for ages, since
2008. I’ve been involved with the School Holiday
Program, the mentoring program and the
homework group. I went on ROAR camp, did the
program in 2012 and then came back as a Peer
Leader for ROAR 2014.
For ROAR 2014 I attended a camp and then went
to a group; we worked on a Youth Friendly Audit
Tool and then we audited Youth Services and the
library. We gave advice on making services that
young people want to use. We also volunteered at
events and went to weekly sessions.
This year I did some training to be a Peer Leader.
I think I was the youngest Peer Leader there.
I helped run group activities like icebreakers
and brainstorming sessions. I also helped to run
sessions on leadership at camp. I am now helping
Ross and Sean from Youth Services work with
some other guys that also went to camp to deliver
a project. We plan to run a leadership day with
Grade Five and Six kids. We’re going to take them
to Hedgend Maze in Healesville. They’re more
connected to their community, so that’s cool to see.
ROAR has given me many benefits, including
making new friends, learning new skills and being
more open to involvement with more activities.
It was definitely different coming back as a Peer
Leader; it was really satisfying to encourage the
kids and see them grow and achieve.
At times I’ve had challenges with relating to
the other participants and settling into group
dynamics. I can be a bit antisocial; I usually only
spend time with smaller groups so I found the
bigger group hard sometimes. I deal with it by
talking to them, spending time with them and
trying to find some common ground. I guess
I just tried to overcome it and get out of my
comfort zone.
I’ve discovered I actually really like listening to
and getting to know people. I’ve seen the benefits
for others too. I’ve seen kids realise that we’re all
in the same boat and we want to get the same
things out of camp. It’s inspiring to watch others
get motivated. I’ve seen the other kids realise that
when you spend time with other people and give
them more attention, they open up and share.

95. PAGE 95
“ROAR has changed me. I feel more confident in general
and find it easier to make new friends, plus I now feel more
comfortable hanging out in bigger groups.”
ROAR has changed me. I feel more confident in
general and find it easier to make new friends,
plus I now feel more comfortable hanging out in
bigger groups. Between the first program and the
second one I had a few challenging years where
I became a bit of a recluse and a bit antisocial.
When I was invited back as a Peer Leader I took
the opportunity to flip my mindset. Now I’ve
started being more social again and not spending
so much time on my own.
Funny things and some powerful things happen
on camp. I’ve loved watching people’s responses
to being on the giant swing! When building
rafts I’ve really enjoyed seeing people’s ideas
and watching them all working together to
make it a success, without the leaders. With the
Tribal Council every night, we’d talk about camp
experiences and encourage each other. On the
last day we had one before we went home and I
think it was the best one because people talked
about how much they got from camp and how
much they were going to take on board.
In my life I’ve done lots of things. I’ve travelled
Australia, fed dolphins and ridden camels, but
I’ve never had the opportunities that I’ve had
with Youth Services. I’ve never done anything
quite like it; I will take these experiences with me
through my life. I guess in a way the things I’ve
done have defined who I am and I would never
had gotten this opportunity anywhere else. As
a part of our sessions we all created a mission
statement and mine is: To sacrifice, build and
forgive in respect and justice.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

96. PAGE 96
Velocity - Engage!
Today I graduate. Today I actually finish
something I started. Today I walk away with
friends and knowledge. But most of all I leave
with hope, the same hope that quickly faded with
every school that passed but this will not pass.
Sometimes you underestimate how much a
course can do for you. I know I did. But when
I look back I can see that STREAT is one of the
defining factors in my life. I will never have to
work in fast food, which was one of my greatest
fears. I did work experience in the production
kitchen preparing food for events and to be
sold in the cafés. I learnt so much about work
practices, flavour combinations, cooking. I also
worked at the McKillop St Café where I was
trained in taking orders, using the cash register,
making all types of coffee and serving food and
drinks to real customers.
It was so nerve wracking but the staff made
me so confident and informed that I stopped
worrying and knew I could do it if I just kept
trying. I’m so proud of myself and I never
thought I would say that.
“Today I walk away with
friends and knowledge.
But most of all I leave
with hope...”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

97. PAGE 97
Jack Hicks - 1st Emerald Scout Group
I’m 10 and my name is Jack Hicks. I live in Mt.
Burnett, near Emerald in Victoria. At school I
am in Year 5 at Beaconhills College. My hobbies
include computers, robots, programming and
Minecraft and I’ve been a member of Cubs and
Scouts since 2012. I was eight when I joined Cubs
and now I’m linking to Scouts. My parents were
both involved when they were growing up and
my mum reinstated her leader registration to
become Joey Scout Leader.
I joined because Mum used to talk about all the
different things that you could do in Scouting,
like hiking and camping. It sounded really fun
and definitely like something I would enjoy doing
so I decided to give it a go.
I didn’t do any badges while in Cubs but I
feel like I would be happy to do some of the
Achievement Badges that you can do in Scouts. I
am getting better at being with other people and
I am learning stuff in Scouts that I find really
interesting. My sister and my mum are involved
in the Scout group too. They enjoy making new
friends and trying different things that you
wouldn’t be able to do in other organisations.
Since joining I’ve had many challenges along the
way. At first, most of the difficulties involved
social situations where I disagreed with someone
or misunderstood other people’s actions. My
leaders were very supportive and patient to help
me work through my upset and calm me so that
I could learn how to better manage the situation.
It is easier now that the Scout hall has been
improved and echoes less.
I am learning how to work more in a team of
people and how to take on board other people’s
ideas. I realise that it is harder for me to work
in groups, but Scouts gives me a chance to learn
how to do this.
As I’m getting older, I’m getting better at dealing
with situations and Scouts is giving me the
opportunity to try so many different things. For
example, once I was going abseiling for the first
time. I looked up at the abseiling tower and it was
really frightening. Once at the top, it was even
more frightening. As I leant over the edge, the
only thing I could think of was the ground below
me and how long it would be until I could touch
it; hopefully I was not too short. I leant further

98. PAGE 98
“...I’m getting better at dealing with situations and Scouts is
giving me the opportunity to try so many different things.”
over the edge and felt really frightened. I turned
around and started going down, down, down. As
I got lower I started to get used to the experience.
By the time I reached the bottom I was going
quite fast. That is how I learned to abseil. It was
one of the best experiences ever. It’s a bit like a
lot of my Scouting experiences. At first I’m often
scared or frightened to give it a go, but then
when I start it becomes easier and ends up being
loads of fun.
Scouts Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government

99. PAGE 99
“Scouts Victoria is preparing
young Victorians to be the citizens
of tomorrow, locally and globally.
We gratefully acknowledge
the support of the Victorian
Government in upgrading our
facilities and extending Scouting
through Cultural and Linguistically
Diverse (CALD) programs.”
Morris Orchard
Scouts Victoria

100. PAGE 100
Jonathan Brown - SYN Media / NEW GEN Thrive
I am 25 years old and live in Albion, just west
of Melbourne. I am the Education and Training
Manager for SYN Media. Along with my
team, I coordinate access to media skills and
platforms for over 4000 young Victorians each
year. From November 2013 to the present I
have been participating in the Social Traders
Thrive program. One of the great things about
working in a not-for-profit and community-
led organisation is that we’re connected with
so many great initiatives. I was encouraged to
apply for this program by a few of our partner
organisations and jumped at the opportunity.
I’m passionate about promoting and supporting
diversity in our community. I love working for
and volunteering in community radio because it
is one of the unique features of our democracy; it
enables the voices of everyone in the community
to be heard.
Part of my motivation to join Thrive was because
SYN Media is at such a crucial stage in its
organisational lifespan. We’ve been active for
over 11 years now, giving opportunities to young
people all across Victoria, and we’ve grown a lot
in that time. I see this phase as a really important
one, where SYN now cements itself as a vital part
of Victoria’s youth culture. On a personal level,
I really wanted to learn how to lead community
projects and organisations in a sustainable way. I
want to be a strong leader in our community and
the Thrive program seemed like a great way to
build my skills and experiences in that direction.
Throughout the Thrive process we’ve done a deep
analysis of our organisation at all levels. We’ve
looked at our social mission, our business model,
our people and the skills we need to have a strong
and sustainable future. The program gives us the
tools and the reflection time to really focus on
our mission as an organisation and make sure we
are effective in reaching our mission. With the
support of key corporate leaders and mentors we
research and develop action plans to assess and
solve key issues in our organisation. The program
has given me a wide range of useful tools and
skills that I will take well into my future.
Along the way I have learned that I am strong
and capable as a community leader and able
to balance business skills, social impact, people
management and strategy. We can achieve so
much when we connect with people outside of

101. PAGE 101
“We’re now on a mission to grow our organisation and our
impact across the community. I feel much better equipped as
a community leader in the not-for-profit space.”
our own experiences and skills. I also learned that
there are really exciting new ways to achieve
social change in our community and that I can
play a significant role in leading that.
As part of the Thrive program I did extensive
research into SYN’s partners by calling them
up and having extended conversations about
their engagement with us. The feedback was
outstanding. I heard stories of young people
whose lives had changed because of their
involvement with SYN, teachers whose students
were disengaged but then completely turned
their behaviour around, and young people with
disabilities speaking with more confidence than
they’d ever had before. The stories I learned
through that process had a huge impact on me.
It made me realise that we really do make a
difference in lots of young people’s lives.
The Thrive program has had a major impact
on me and our organisation. I’ve learned how
important articulating your social purpose is and
to always question your assumptions. We’re now
on a mission to grow our organisation and our
impact across the community. I feel much better
equipped as a community leader in the not-for-
profit space.
SYN is already a stronger organisation as a result
of Thrive. Our community of young people is
bound by a stronger sense of purpose and we are
on the way to becoming a strong and sustainable
organisation with a long-term future and impact
on young Victorians.
We’ve loved connecting with other social
enterprises and finding a new organisational
friend through our mentor, Richard. We really
appreciate the passion he, the Social Traders team
and the Victorian Government have shown for
our organisation and our mission. I feel very
grateful for the Thrive opportunity.
SYN Media and NEW GEN Thrive are
funded by the Victorian Government

102. PAGE 102
Sam Heywood - Shape It!
I’d always been cynical of the notion that “the
youth of today are those that change the world
tomorrow.” I’d done little to nothing in my
community and had little belief in myself that
I could affect the lives of those around me. Yet
this quickly changed on the day that I entered
the town hall of my humble town to discuss the
possibility of a mental health trivia night with
our community development coordinator - who
on my journey, has been the greatest wellspring
of support and encouragement.
It’s natural for someone with the prospects
of being involved in something greater than
themselves to get hooked by it, and I still am. I
myself am apathetic and not extremely confident,
but the opportunity to work with an incredibly
encouraging and proactive council under an
awesome program like “Shape It!” has been life-
changing. And “Shape It!” was exactly what the
program allowed myself and my peers to do:
shape what happens in the community. Going
through high-school, I and youth around me had
been bombarded from every angle by authority
figures and services providers with a tokenistic
view of youth involvement and opinions; only
interested in what they may gain from working
with youth. It was so refreshing to be working
with such eager individuals from council, whose
sole motive was not to utilise youth for their own
means, but to provide youth with the means to
their own ends. It gave me a sense of importance;
that youth really did matter.
As I’ve said, I’ve certainly got my flaws and have
a long way to go to shape myself into any sort
of leader. It is only because of the monumental
amount of support I have received from both
local government and my peers that I’ve had
any bit of progress in my exploits. The Benalla
Rural City Council has been with me every step
of the way and it is because of this I cannot
express enough that government do want youth
to succeed. In the times I’ve doubted myself, the
amazing individuals who make their mission
that youth be heard have always been there to
pick me up where I falter. Not only this, but I
have surrounded myself with the most amazing,
talented and ambitious young people and friends
without whom I wouldn’t have even made the
first step on my journey. Do not make yourself
an island; surround yourself with supportive
individuals and I have absolutely no doubt you
will succeed in any endeavour.

103. PAGE 103
“I challenge any youth to just go out and experience the
feeling of bettering your community. Whatever idea or
dream you have just go out there, have fun and live it.”
From the day I first walked into that town
hall, I’ve chaired both a Mental Health Youth
Committee and have now shifted my focus into
chairing a Youth Advisory Committee among
other things. But what I’ve done doesn’t even
remotely matter to me. Anyone can drone on
about what they’ve achieved but that doesn’t
matter in the bigger picture; it’s about how these
experiences affect other people, and yourself. I,
like everyone else, am doing my part to make the
world a bit better, and to pursue an aspiration.
And as clichéd as it is, it’s about following a
dream. And I say take a risk and go for it: “A ship
in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built
for.” If you want to, go and change the world in
your own way.
It’s been an amazing journey, and I’ve loved
every minute of it. In the space of the two
years of working with youth and my own city’s
council, I am a changed person. Although I still
am terrified of making phone calls and have the
leadership skills of a teaspoon, I have developed
into a person that I really like. I have a tangible
goal and want to change the world, however
unskilled I may be. And that’s what really counts;
that you grow from these experiences and
flourish. I feel confident that I can do something
in the world, and I couldn’t have without the
support of the wonderful people around me and
the knowledge that working for the community
has brought me.
Everyone is on a path in life to find meaning and
reach goals, and as far as you may feel from this
path, you’re always on it. Challenging yourself
and living for a better world allows you to bound
along that path. I challenge any youth to just go
out and experience the feeling of bettering your
community. Whatever idea or dream you have
just go out there, have fun and live it.
Shape It! is funded by the Victorian Government

104. PAGE 104
Zac Slattery - Involve Committee / National Youth Week
I’m studying International Business at RMIT
whilst also working for a local sporting league
and I’m a rescue volunteer with the State
Emergency Service.
In 2013 I was made aware of the Involve
Committee by the local football league, of which
I was the president of the youth committee.
After a term on the Yarra Junior Football League
Youth Committee I felt as though I had developed
the required skills and was looking to broaden
my youth advisory work.
I was lucky enough to be involved in the first
Involve Committee, an advisory committee to
the Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith.
The Involve Committee seemed like the perfect
opportunity to develop my skills whilst serving
the young people of Victoria and meeting others
with similar interests. It was through the people
that I met on the Involve Committee that I
was nominated for the National Youth Week
Ambassador for Victoria.
On the Involve Committee I was a media
representative, which meant that I was
responsible for developing comments and
information for various media outlets and
publications. With National Youth Week, I was
focused on promoting National Youth Week and
various events that were being conducted around
the state, whilst working with the Minister to
tailor the best possible program for young
Victorians. I was lucky enough to be involved in a
number of media engagements, including a national
TV interview on Channel 10’s Studio 10 program.
As a committee it was our firm belief that we
had helped to shape the future direction of youth
affairs in Victoria as a result of our consultation
and research for decision-makers. This brought
an immense sense of satisfaction but also served
to develop personal beliefs and skills.
I had different issues along the way with illness
and time management but staff from DHS and
the Minister’s office were really supportive and
I came out the other side unscathed. If you’re
struggling you just have to let somebody know,
there is always someone around to help you out.
I learnt how truly passionate I am about giving
young people a voice. Many young people are
passionate about issues that will affect humanity
as we move forward; I feel that it is so important
to let their opinions guide our solutions.

105. PAGE 105
Aside from the satisfaction, the skills I picked
up and the people that I met have allowed me to
venture into many new things; at the current
time I’m in the process of launching my own
business and I have no doubts that both Involve
and National Youth Week have shaped who I am
as a person.
It was all interesting and powerful in different
ways, but heading to Canberra to work on the
NYW National Planning Group was pretty
special, as was the Victorian launch from the
steps of the State Library.
“... the skills I picked up and the people that I met have allowed
me to venture into many new things...”
The Involve Committee and National Youth Week
are funded by the Victorian Government

106. PAGE 106
Marnie Banger - Youth Central Roving Reporters
It’s amazing where a simple Google search can
lead. A few years ago, it was a Google search
about careers that first led me to the brightly-
coloured pages of Youth Central. I quickly found
the information I’d been looking for at the time
and was soon clicking frantically on other pages
on the site, uncovering a seemingly endless trail
of interesting advice and news for young people.
From then on, I returned regularly to Youth
Central when I was looking for trusted tips on
topics like studying and money. It was on one of
these return visits that I noticed an opportunity
for young people to become Roving Reporters,
people who regularly contribute content to the
site. This was an opportunity I jumped at, was
fortunate to be granted and has been one of the
stepping stones to me getting my foot in the door
in the media industry.
I became a Roving Reporter during the first year
of my journalism degree. While I loved learning
the ins and outs of reporting at uni, from the
iconic “inverted pyramid” story structure to
proper grammar (a tricky beast), I was very
excited for the opportunity to gain valuable
writing experience outside of uni through Youth
Central. It was with a skip in my step that I
walked into Roving Reporter induction, a two-
day course to give new “rovers” a rundown on
writing for the site and a chance to brainstorm
content we could create. One session from this
training has stuck with me in particular - a
discussion about interviewing in which Adam,
Youth Central’s content editor, asked each of
us to think big about who we could interview
and who our dream interviewee would be.
While I can’t remember mine (it must’ve been
memorable), I remember there were some pretty
big names floated, with Julia Gillard and Barack
Obama amongst them. While we may not have
all scored our dream interviews, the idea that we
shouldn’t limit our aims is one that has stayed
with me. It’s a concept I drew upon as I became
part of the news team at community radio station
SYN and started interning in newsrooms and
I found myself calling all manner of people for
interviews. From activists to politicians, I never
limited who I thought myself worthy to call.
Each story I wrote for Youth Central, which
ranged from play reviews to a feature on young
entrepreneurs, improved my skills through
valuable feedback from the editorial team, and
built up my confidence in my ability. There was
also the added bonus of being paid for each story,
a rare validation for young media professionals.

107. PAGE 107
“I was very excited for the opportunity to gain valuable
writing experience outside of uni through Youth Central.”
Since finishing my uni course at the end of
2013 I have taken on a communications role at
a national not-for-profit organisation, where I
assist with enquiries from the media, write news
stories and press releases, and pitch stories to the
media to raise awareness of the organisation and
its aims. My time writing for Youth Central was
one of the stepping stones towards me starting
this position, and for this I am very grateful.
I look forward to building on my skills in the
media industry further in the future and as per
that fateful “rover” training session, always
remembering to dream big and aim high with
my work.
Youth Central Roving Reporters Program is
an initiative of the Victorian Government

108. PAGE 108
Nathan Eva - Involve Committee
My name is Nathan Eva. I am 26 years old
and live in Malvern, Victoria, although I
originally come from Leongatha. I have
just finished my PhD looking at leadership
development and am now working as a
management consultant for Accenture.
I am passionate about leadership, youth
leadership development in particular, as well
as education. I was looking for opportunities to
represent the views of young people growing
up in country Victoria and came across the
opportunity to apply for a place on the Involve
Youth Advisory Committee for the Minister for
Youth Affairs.
My community has supported me in all of my
endeavours and I wanted to give back to all those
who have given me so much and believed in
what I can achieve. Furthermore, I wanted to
make sure young people were being heard by
the government.
I was the Chair of the inaugural Involve
Committee so I had two main roles. First and
foremost was to foster the development of the
other members of the committee, ensuring that
they had their say and got the most out of their
experience. Second was to research particular
areas of policy where young people had a stake
and report back to the various Ministers on the
opinions of young people.
Personally, I felt I grew as a leader during this
process and it was the most culturally diverse
group of people I have ever led. I now feel I
have a stronger understanding of government
processes and a deeper understanding of the
needs of young people across Victoria. Over my
18-month involvement I saw such significant
development of those around me in terms of
their communication skills (written and oral),
their confidence and their understanding about
how they could make a difference in Victoria.
As ours was the first Involve Committee,
there was pressure to make sure that we were
successful so other young people would also get
this wonderful opportunity. We were able to
shape the committee, its role and direction, as
we thought best. It was challenging trying to
synthesise 18 passionate young people’s passions
over this period but I believe we covered some of
the most important areas of youth policy.
The team self-managed, took on tasks above and
beyond their role, and produced a report that
was one of the strongest we tabled. The situation

109. PAGE 109
“... I wanted to give back to all those who have given me so
much and believed in what I can achieve.”
provided opportunities for all committee
members to step up and lead. It was fantastic
to be a part of and made us much stronger as a
committee going forward.
Overall the Involve experience showed me that
so many people are willing to help you, no matter
what they are doing, as long as you are willing
to ask for help. Personally, I learnt how to build
a committee that continues to be strong long
after the current team has left. I now have a
much greater understanding of the problems that
young people are facing across the state, things
that I had never thought of before, that I see as
major issues facing young Victorians.
The Involve Committee
is funded by the Victorian Government

110. PAGE 110
Michael Casha - SYN Media / Involve Committee
I’m a technology enthusiast. I produce radio. I
manage a website used by 1,000 volunteers a
year and with over 15,000 pieces of content.
I’ve developed an innovative social media tool.
I’m a State Emergency Service (SES) road rescue
volunteer. I’m a carer.
My name is Michael Casha and I’m a 22-year-
old volunteer at SYN Media – an organisation
that offers young people between the ages of 12
and 25 the skills and platform to create media.
At SYN I produce a diversity program, ‘Raise the
Platform’, as well as holding the role of ‘Online
Manager’. But a young person doesn’t get to this
stage overnight, and it takes a lot of support from
both individuals organisations! This is my story.
I’m a carer to my 24-year-old brother David who
has Cerebral Palsy, and throughout my childhood
I felt as though I didn’t have a voice. I was treated
poorly by medical professionals taking care of my
brother, and I grew up seeing the lack of support
given to my parents who fought to do their best. I
hated it and I was sick of being ignored.
In 2008, through Melbourne Citymission’s young
carer program, I was given the opportunity to
take part in a media learning day at SYN, where
we were taught how to effectively communicate
our thoughts, opinions and experiences to the
media. This was my first contact with SYN, and
I have distinct memories of sitting inside their
studios with a trainer and feeling as though, for
the first time, someone actually cared about the
voice of young carers.
Fast forward five years and I rediscovered
the recording from SYN. The memories came
flooding back, and after explaining the amazing
experience and how much I wanted to go back on
radio, my friend asked a simple question – “Why
don’t you?”.
A couple of months later and I’m now in the
position I’m in. I work with a team to produce a
diversity program, ‘Raise the Platform’, where
we advocate for people with disabilities and their
carers. I’m also the Online Manager at SYN,
where I manage our online presence which has
included the relaunch of SYN.org.au as well as
the implementation of social media strategies to
support our various media platforms.
In less than a year I’ve gone from consuming
media that doesn’t really represent people with
disabilities, to producing content that well and

111. PAGE 111
truly advocates for this area of the community.
I’ve grown from a person who doubted their
leadership capabilities to a person managing one
of SYN’s core media platforms.
At the risk of sounding like a cheesy infomercial,
the bonuses don’t stop there! Not only has the
support SYN provided me from day one helped
me grow in my position there, but it’s also given
me the confidence, skills and encouragement to
do the same elsewhere. I’ve since successfully
been given a leadership role at SES, where I not
only lead road rescue operations, storm/flood
incident responses and large-scale emergency
events, but also implement online and social
media strategies to engage my local community
and to educate them on staying safe.
I’ve grown as a person and been given the skills
to do something I love – changing other people’s
lives for the better. I might not be able to change
the world on my own, but if I can do half of what
SYN has done to me and empower other young
people to make a change, together we will make
this world a greater place.
SYN Media is an overwhelmingly amazing
example of what an organisation who supports
young people can achieve. With a bit of
encouragement and the platform to learn, I’ve
grown so much in the past year. I joined hoping I
would be given a voice - but have been given so
much more.
I was also member of the Minister for Youth’s
Involve Committee between 2012-2013 and
had the amazing opportunity to represent
young people in Victoria on issues that affect
them. Throughout the committee’s term we
interviewed young people across Victoria and
conducted research to develop reports for the
Minister of Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith. It was
fantastic to be able to present our findings on
each report to the Minister, but particularly
empowering to see that our findings were taken
seriously and is subsequently helping to drive
Victorian government policy.
“... if I can do half of what SYN has done to me and
empower other young people to make a change, together
we will make this world a greater place.”
SYN Media and the Involve Committee
are funded by the Victorian Government

112. PAGE 112
Miquaelia Haywood - Change It Up
I am Miquaelia Haywood. I’m 17 years old and
live in Bairnsdale. I recently won the $3,000
Shaping Victoria Changemaker Award after
representing East Gippsland at the Shaping
Victoria Forum.
Change It Up supports young people in regional
and rural Australia who have an interest in
sparking change in their communities. In
partnership with teams of local citizens, it gives
young people the chance to act on issues that are
important to us and our communities.
I participated in the Change It Up program in
September 2013 where I developed and pitched
an idea to encourage work-ready young people
to stay in East Gippsland by matching them
with employers in the area. I know it’s hard for
young people to find a job, particularly ones
they like, and that’s why so many young people
leave and move to the city. My idea was to hold
a community open day where local shops and
businesses open their doors and show young
people what they do.
I wanted to run surveys to find out what young
people are interested in and which businesses
might be interested in taking part. Then I proposed
creating posters and flyers to spread around so
that young people would know where to go.
Luckily the Change It Up ‘PitchUp’ judges
seemed impressed with my ideas and awarded
me $200 seed funding which I went on to use
for the initial surveys. Afterwards I was invited
to represent East Gippsland at the inaugural
Shaping Victoria Forum where dozens of Change
It Up alumni from different regional centres
across Victoria gathered to celebrate youth-led
social change. This gave me a chance to chat with
other young people in regional Victoria and see
how we might collaborate and support each other
to create change in our communities.
I also met Jan Owen AM, CEO of FYA, plus the
Hon. Ryan Smith MP, Minister for Youth Affairs,
and Dan Flynn who is co-founder of Thankyou
Water and Victorian National Finalist for Young
Australian of the Year 2014.
There is now interest from East Gippsland Shire
Council and East Gippsland’s Change It Up
Community Champion to encourage my local
community to get behind my idea and help turn
it into a reality.
“This gave me a chance
to chat with other young
people in regional Victoria
and see how we might
collaborate and support
each other to create change
in our communities.”
Change It Up is funded by the Victorian Government

113. PAGE 113
“By supporting Change it Up and
Unleashed, the Victorian Government
is providing opportunities for young
people to connect with each other and
the community.
The Victorian Government’s support of
these programs says to young people
that their ideas matter and helps them
to build the skills, the confidence and
the networks to make them happen.
By backing young people, the Victorian
Government is helping to build a more
resilient, a more socially aware and a
more connected Victoria.”
Dr Jan Owen AM
CEO Foundation for Young Australians

114. PAGE 114
Michael Hardinge - FReeZA
My name is Michael Hardinge, I live in the Yarra
Valley and was a part of the ‘Straight To the Pit’
FReeZA crew for Maroondah back in 2012
I joined FReeZA at the start of 2012; I was 16 at
the time. I was talking to a friend about what I
wanted to do as a job in the future, and he heard
that EV’s (event venue in Ringwood) was looking
for a new crew for 2012 and it was just what I
was looking for considering I am very interested
in the music industry. This was a perfect
opportunity to get a taste of what it was like. So I
looked into it and applied to be a part of the crew,
and luckily I was accepted!
There are many roles in our FReeZA group. I
was taught the ropes for everything from event
management, through to production skills such
as audio engineering, to business skills and
professional / personal development. This taught
me so much as a whole about the music business
and entertainment industry and gave me a much
broader idea about what working in it involved.
The events the group put on in a short amount of
time was an amazing effort. In the time of just a
year we had some big names come through the
EV’s doors, such as Australian bands Deez Nuts,
House Vs Hurricane, Closure In Moscow and
2011 X- Factor finalist Declan Sykes. It’s so much
fun working with higher profile bands as it
gives you such a great understanding of how
some of your favourite bands run their tours
behind the scenes.
The amount of experience and knowledge I
gained from being a part of the FReeZA crew was
invaluable. It took my business skills to a whole
new level, along with great communication skills
which I was lacking before the program.
The reaction from the community to the
events we had put on was insane; we had great
responses from the gigs and such great turnouts!
Before I joined FReeZA, I was a passionate film
maker and a musician, Before and throughout
my time in FReeZA I was trying to put together
my own business and start off in my career. As I
progressed through the program, the information
I learned aided in me putting together my film
and sound production company.
Seeing what the FReeZA team could achieve in
such a short period of time really ignited a drive
to push myself to strive for my goals and work as
©James Newell Photography

115. PAGE 115
hard as I can to achieve my dreams. As a result
of this, I’m now running my own film/sound
production house and work as a camera operator
for the biggest television network in the country.
All before I even finished high school. I believe I
wouldn’t be as far into my career as I am without
participating in the FReeZA program. It’s funny
to think that within a few short years, I went
from being a fan of the bands we had booked to
play shows, to working on their music videos.
The amount of knowledge myself and the whole
EV’s crew got out of the program was great. I
think we could all go into any part of the music
or entertainment industry as a potential career
path and we would have a head start and a
taste of what everything is like thanks to
FReeZA. And I know a lot of us in the group are
doing this already.
If you’ve ever contemplated getting involved in
the program, I could not recommend it enough.
The knowledge and experience I gained was
invaluable and is something you would normally
have to pay to go and do a course in to get the
same kind of education.
My main goal for the future is to continue on
with the progress of my company, Momentum
Studios Australia, do a Master’s degree in
motion picture and cinematography, and
continue to strive towards traveling the world
doing what I love.
“I believe I wouldn’t be as far into my career as I am without
participating in the FReeZA program.”
FReeZA is funded by the Victorian Government

116. PAGE 116
Brady Price - Engage!
My name is Brady Price, I am a 16 year old
student from Bendigo and I am proud to be
classified as a young person. Many people when
told of your age will say, “You’re too young
to know” or maybe even “You don’t have an
opinion, you’re just a kid” no, I’m not just a kid;
I’m a young person and I have my own opinions
and ideas.
In mid 2012 I joined a group called YO Bendigo.
YO Bendigo is a group run by the City of Greater
Bendigo, which consults them on the issues of
young people, and works as a voice for the young
people of Bendigo. We’ve done so much in the
time that I’ve been with them, and I am always
inspired by the opportunities we are given, and
the belief that is put into us by the City Council.
In early 2013 we completed a project we had been
working on for about a year. The project was at
the time the largest survey that had ever been
completed by the City of Greater Bendigo. We
surveyed young people between the ages of 12-25
on what they thought were the biggest issues in
the community, and what they wanted to get out
of Bendigo. We then took the results to Council
and their responses and expressions summed
up how young people can do things that people
twice our ages can’t do.
The Council now refers back to our Youth
Strategy whenever making a decision that will
impact upon the young people of our community,
to ensure that they know what young people
want done to that issue.
I think that being a part of this group really
confirmed some of the ideals that I had already
been thinking of. Being a young person is in no
way a hindrance. Sure, we can be told constantly
that we aren’t old enough to understand, or that
when we are older we’ll be able to do something,
but we can do so much right now. And what
I think a lot of us don’t understand is, being
younger can actually be an advantage. People
listen to you when you start talking about big
issues. When they say “Oh, you’re too young to
have an opinion on the public transport system
in Bendigo” and you say “Well actually, the young
people feel that the public transport in Bendigo is
quite inadequate and in some places unsafe” then
change occurs, like the building of a Bendigo Safe
Transport Space last year.
I really try to take up any opportunity that is
around for the taking. I’ve been to the Alpine
School for Student Leadership, met with the
Minister for Youth Affairs a couple of times,
the Minister for Education and the Minister for

117. PAGE 117
“If you go out looking to get the most out of what you are
doing, to help your community and those around you, then
success will come your way.”
Public Transport. I’ve become the school captain
of my school, represented the young people of my
community, and I even got a scholarship because
of my passion for the community. So many great
things come out of getting involved, and just
contributing positively to your community.
I don’t believe that there are bad opportunities
out there. The way that you go about the
opportunities you take up is the key to your
success. If you go out looking to get the most out
of what you are doing, to help your community
and those around you, then success will come
your way. I had a great time doing what I did
with YO Bendigo, and I took a lot away from it.
We as young people can do so much; we just have
to put ourselves out there.
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

118. PAGE 118
Shelby Garlick - Shape It! / Youth Parliament
I’m seventeen and as they say “I was born
and bred” in the small rural town of Kerang.
Kerang, is located in Mallee and is a thriving
agricultural town. Currently I’m studying Year
12 and after completing my studies I intend on
attending University to get a degree in Media
and Communications.
A lot people are often quick to dismiss growing up
in a small town as a disadvantage. Sure, there are
draw backs, but living in small community has
provided me with life lessons and opportunities
that a city childhood couldn’t. I don’t think any
thing can compare to the community spirit that
one feels when growing up in such a small town.
I always find it incredibly hard to answer
someone when they ask, “What’s your hobby?” I
don’t play sport, and I couldn’t carry a music note
let alone play an actual instrument. The truth is
my hobby, is being a productive and active youth
in my community.
It was in 2012 when I was approached to join
Gannawarra Youth Council and from that
moment I have had a love of community
engagement. Youth Council was initiated a
few years ago by the Gannawarra Shire after a
consensus of the councillors found that youth
involvement and youth feedback was missing
in decisions. The Youth Council is made up of
high school students from ages 14-18 and
participates in numerous aspects of the
community as councillors.
To my surprise I was elected as Youth Mayor
in 2013. It was such an honour to be chosen
by my peers to represent such a respected
organisation. Through Gannawarra Youth
Council I was able to become involved in
numerous government programs.
In May 2013, a combination of grants from
the Gannawarra Shire and $250,000 from the
Victorian Government meant one of our ideas
of upgrading our skate park was able to come
to life. This wasn’t just a “power to the people”
moment, but a power and sign of respect for the
youth in our shire. It also proved that we weren’t
a “token” youth group but change-makers in
our community.
In 2013, the group participated in the YMCA
Youth Parliament Program. Having never heard
of the program, the group of 6 Youth Councillors
went into the program with open eyes. The group
saw this program as a chance to engage with
other young people from Victoria whilst giving

119. PAGE 119
a rural voice to the program. The group spent
three days debating in the historic chambers of
the Victorian Parliament, but the program meant
much more than just engaging in political debate.
Each member walked away with an entirely
different outlook on life and memories that will
last a life time. Gannawarra Youth Council will
continue to participate in the program for years
to come.
Youth are often stereotyped as lazy, unengaged,
selfish and only causing problems. The most
important part of Youth Council is that its
members all break the stigma that surrounds
youth. So when applications were open for the
“Shape It!” program the group thought of the idea
of taking Youth Council on a “roadshow.” The
idea was to use the grant to take a presentation
to towns and schools in the shire and promote
the work we do. The presentation included a
6-minute video filmed by a professional, where
we could show case what we are about. Featured
in the interview were former and current youth
councillors, shire councillors and community
members such as police officers and school
principals. Following the video, youth councillors
discussed their role and what they had gained
from their time as member. Community
members then had a chance to have a one-on-
one discussion with the youth councillors to ask
questions or make suggestions for us to improve.
This enabled us to build a working relationship
with community groups and gain respect
amongst the community. This inspired us to do
our best, to be respected and to make our shire a
better place.
Gannawarra Youth Council wouldn’t be able
to exist if it wasn’t for the full support of the
Gannawarra Shire and state government
funding. My years as a Youth Councillor and
Mayor have provided me with confidence within
myself, as well as bringing out leadership skills to
shape me into the person I am today.
“My years as a Youth Councillor and Mayor have provided
me with confidence within myself, as well as bringing out
leadership skills to shape me into the person I am today.”
Shape It! and Youth Parliament
are funded by the Victorian Government

120. PAGE 120
Anne Fedorowytsch - AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters
Stepping into a professional office for the first
time can be daunting, let alone walking into the
headquarters of Australia’s number one game.
That’s what happened though, when I was
chosen as one of five AFL Youth Central Rookie
Reporters to partake in a season-long internship
at AFL Media.
My journey to this program might be considered
unusual compared to the others taking part. I
had completed a Bachelor of Journalism at the
University of South Australia in 2011. With no
luck finding full-time work in my first year out
of uni, it’s fair to say I was feeling frustrated with
where my career - or lack thereof - was going.
I had stumbled across a tweet calling on
applications to be a Rookie Reporter at the AFL. I
ummed and ahhed over whether I should apply,
because I felt like I had done my fair share of
internships and work experience. Finally I hit
submit and was lucky to receive a phone call in
January saying I had been accepted.
I had turned 22 and was about to move out of
home and to Victoria. At the time I was desperate
for job security and some money in my pocket.
However, as with most new things, once I got
over the first-day nerves my eyes were opened
to what would be nothing short of a tremendous
experience.
Initially I was asked which area of AFL Media
I would like to be the base of my Rookie
Reporter internship. With a lot of writing
under my belt already, I chose something new
to me - producing. I was handballed over to the
production team behind the afl.com.au show
Access All Areas. For the first couple of weeks
I spent Monday mornings in the office mostly
observing and taking in as much in as I could.
For starters, the show’s talent is none other than
Luke Darcy, ex-Western Bulldogs champion, and
Damian Barrett, arguably the biggest journalist
in football.
I was a little star struck at first, especially having
just moved from Adelaide into Victoria’s footy
scene, but both were more than welcoming and
not judgemental at all (something I had feared
being an intern).
As a couple of weeks passed, my confidence
began to grow. One of my main tasks was
to follow the footy over the weekend and
communicate ideas for the show to Lucas, the

121. PAGE 121
senior producer. Immediately my suggestions
were well received and even featured in the show.
The highlight of my time with Access All Areas
came whilst producing the season wash-up for
West Coast. My idea for a season lowlight for
the Eagles (playing for free kicks) was picked by
Damian Barrett.
During the week leading up to filming the West
Coast wash-up it was my responsibility to carry
out the relevant research and get it to Lucas.
While the segment was only short, I was stoked
to see it all come together. It was very satisfying
to see my idea through from start to finish.
About a third of the way in to my internship I
was asked if I would be interested in taking on
a casual, part-time role in the AFL social media
team. I had applied for a similar role at the start
of the year, before my internship began, without
success. I believe that, because of my hard work
with Access All Areas, and because I had that
revered foot in the door, the opportunity I had
been seeking finally arose.
All in all, I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the
Rookie Reporter program. I’ve learnt about a field
of media that I previously did not know much
about. I’ve made important network connections
and have been fortunate enough to gain a job
from my experience.
I can only recommend that other young people
do what I did: take any chance that comes your
way and go for it.
“I’ve made important network connections and have been
fortunate enough to gain a job from my experience.”
The AFL Youth Central Rookie Reporters Program
is supported by the Victorian Government

122. PAGE 122
Duer Yoa - Centre for Multicultural Youth
My name is Duer Yoa. I’m 24 years old and live in
Ballarat, Victoria. I was born in South Sudan and
I came to Australia as a refugee with my family in
2002. This experience has in many ways, shaped
the person I am today and given me the opportunity
and determination to reach my potential.
I am currently a full time athlete, training for
the Rio Olympic Games and aim to compete in
the Marathon. I started running in 2006 for fun
at a cross country carnival at school and was
encouraged to continue but at this time enjoyed
playing footy more. In 2008 I was selected to
compete in the World Junior Cross Country
Championships in Edinburgh, much to my
surprise. Since then I have been training and
competing across Australia and overseas. I feel
very privileged to be one of the first Australians
from South Sudanese heritage to represent
Australia in sport.
Outside of my athletics, I also work for the
Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) as a youth
facilitator in Ballarat. Working in the community
and supporting young people to settle well is
another great passion of mine.
Since 2013 I’ve been involved in some great
programs with CMY that have supported young
people to get actively involved in sport and their
local community. The activities I have really
enjoyed have are sporting activities and sharing
my personal story, experienced as a refugee, with
local school students.
One of my roles at CMY is to organise social
programs targeting newly arrived young people
from migrant and refugee backgrounds within
the Ballarat area. Late last year, I coordinated
a social soccer program during the summer
holidays. The program provided young people
with the opportunity to be part of a fun, physical
activity in a supporting environment. It promoted
social unity amongst newly arrived communities
and provided opportunities for young people to
learn more about local sporting teams and how
to connect with them. Most of the young people
that were in the program have since joined local
clubs and are now playing competitively, which
was a great outcome. Sport is a powerful way to
bring people together.
Through my work at CMY, I also provide
presentations as a guest speaker at various events
such as local schools, presenting my personal life
story and journey to Australia as a refugee. It’s a
golden opportunity for me to not only share my
story but to teach young people a bit about my

123. PAGE 123
background and trying to help them understand
why my family chose to leave our country.
Seeing the reaction from young people and also
learning more about the issues has been really
important to me.
Since joining the CMY family I feel like I have
developed new skills and discovered talents I
did not realise, for example public speaking. I
am quite a shy person but working with CMY
has encouraged me to be more outgoing and
confident. As a young adult I’ve learned a lot of
great new things and value helping other young
people feel like they belong and to get involved in
the community, especially in sport.
At the end of the day wherever my sporting
career may lead, I still hope to keep helping
young people in the community and encourage
others to be the best they can be. As my coach
often reminds me, “don’t be afraid to be your best”.
Centre for Multicultural Youth
is funded by the Victorian Government
“Since joining the CMY family I feel like I have developed
new skills and discovered talents I did not realise...”

124. PAGE 124
Cici Zhang - Centre for Multicultural Youth
I love traveling, music (particularly violin, which I
teach), acting and my dog. I definitely love my dog!
I got involved in the Centre for Multicultural
Youth’s (CMY) Animate Change project because
it aimed to provide Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and
Trans Gender (GLBTIQ) multicultural youth with
a safe place for self-expression. It achieved this
through the use of animation to raise awareness
of the existence of GLBTIQ young people in
multicultural communities.
I had become aware of the project after my
partner told me about it and I had heard
about it through another group that I belong
to – Yellow Kitties. I was interested in Animate
Change because it would connect me with other
young people and more importantly would be
part of something that was helping GLBTIQ
multicultural youth. It also sounded like fun
because it used art and design.
Putting together the animation was a lot of fun. I
was part of a team that developed the storyboard
for the animation as well as doing some project
management. I also spoke to the media after
the animation was launched and became a
spokesperson for the project.
As you can imagine, when you’ve got a whole
bunch of people with big ideas coming together
to develop one short film there were challenges.
In particular, the reality of our stories versus
what people thought our stories are, created
challenges on getting the story right. But, we
were given the opportunity to have a voice
and have our say and I think that we focused
on doing that to the best of our ability. So, we
worked together as a group and we learned to be
flexible, patient and understanding.
Through the project I got a better understanding
of myself and I feel like I came alive as a person
because I had the space to talk about issues. I’m
sure this was the same for many of the other
participants. I feel like I’ve changed, become more
open as a person and have developed the courage
to stand up for myself and for my community.
A really powerful experience has been the
amount of media attention the project has got.
Animate Change was a conversation starter and
in Australia it’s rare for the topic of multicultural
GLBTIQ youth to be openly discussed. Being
part of a project that openly advocated on our
behalf and approaching the topic from a creative
angle was not only great fun, it was also a really
inspiring experience.

125. PAGE 125
I think this project was the kick in the butt that I
needed to open up and talk about issues that are
important to me and other young people. It was
great to be given a voice. Now we just have to
keep it up.
“I feel like I’ve changed, become more open as a person and
have developed the courage to stand up for myself and for
my community.”
Centre for Multicultural Youth
is funded by the Victorian Government

126. PAGE 126
Sarah - Engage!
My name is Sarah. I came to Australia from
Liberia with my family five years ago. It was a
huge change when we moved here. It took me a
long time to feel comfortable in Melbourne. For
years I was not confident meeting new people, or
in doing my studies.
I have always enjoyed singing and when a friend
told me about Good Shepherd’s Sing in Harmony
program, which is part of the Engage! program,
I was interested straight away. I joined the
program in 2012.
Sing in Harmony was implemented to provide
newly arrived young women aged 12-25 with a
safe and fun environment in which to build their
confidence and meet other girls from similar
backgrounds through a singing program.
It has helped us learn how to write songs, sing in
harmony with other girls and perform in front
of other people. Professional singing teachers
have taught us how to sing and perform and it
was not long before we were performing at local
community events.
I feel I have come a long way since I started the
program. I am a much better singer and I am
more confident with other people too. I did not
know how I would feel performing in front of
people, but I really enjoy it! I am always nervous
before performing though.
Our group has been written about in the local
newspaper. We have performed through video at
the Good Shepherd APM in December and also
performed live at the Sister for Sister Charity in
the city in front of 200 people.
People said nice things about our performance. I
have always wanted to be a singer and I feel I am
on the right track to follow my dream.
“I have always wanted
to be a singer and I feel I
am on the right track to
follow my dream.”
Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government

127. PAGE 127
Cyber Cats Program - Geelong Cats Foundation
It’s There for Life
Geelong Cats footballer Corey Enright knows all
too well the downside to cyber-bullying, having
seen the devastating effects on someone he knew
personally. So when his football club offered him
the opportunity to become involved in the Cyber
Cats program, he jumped at the chance.
Since 2011, the Geelong Cats has been partnering
with headspace Geelong and Victoria Police
and schools to deliver a cyber-safety early
intervention program, using the influence of
sporting heroes.
Funding from the Victorian Government’s
cyber-safety and online wellbeing It’s There for
Life program is currently being used to expand
the current Cyber Cats program to engage with
participating Year 7 school students as they move
into Years 8 and 9.
Enright heads up a team of Geelong Cats players
who work with Year 7 students on the serious
issues of cyber-bullying, identity theft and
inappropriate content to encourage smart, safe
and responsible use of digital technologies.
The program empowers young people to create
their own films around various cyber-safety
themes, determine rules of engagement,
strategies and guidelines to help counteract
anti-social behaviour. Geelong Cats Community
Development General Manager, Simone Bellears
said the program embraces technology and
recognises its benefits, focusing on keeping
young people safe, respected and respectful in
the cyber world.
“By using our Geelong Cats’ players as program
ambassadors and role models, it not only provides
young people a local peer network to draw upon,
but it empowers them to play a leadership role
themselves.”
“Students who participate in the Cyber Cats
program become important ambassadors within
their school and the wider community”, Simone said.
At Geelong College, students recently spent the
day learning and workshopping in the Deakin
Cats Community centre at Simonds Stadium.
They developed scripts and short films around

128. PAGE 128
“Cyber Cats is a great way to help stop cyber bullying. It not
only teaches us at the workshop, but we can go on to teach
others and if that keeps up, hopefully we will have a cyber-
safe community.”
various bullying themes, with some groups
highlighting the victims of bullying, and others
concentrated on bullying bystanders that either
did or did not engage to help the victim.
“Cyber Cats is a great way to help stop cyber-
bullying. It not only teaches us at the workshop, but
we can go on to teach others and if that keeps up,
hopefully we will have a cyber-safe community,”
said one student.
Cyber Cats Ambassador Corey Enright, as well
as other Cats players George Horlin-Smith,
Jared Rivers, Taylor Hunt, Jordan Schroder, Jake
Kolodjasnij and Mitch Brown join students in the
program to share their own experiences and in
some cases, appear in the students’ films.
“The students are actively engaged the entire day,
excited to be part of something that enables them to
work within their school communities to change the
culture around cyber-safety,” Corey said.
The students’ films are used as a powerful school
and community resource to combat cyber-
It’s There for Life is funded by the Victorian Government
bullying and promote cyber-safety, and are used
on schools’ intranets, community and parent
presentations – and even educational DVDs, as
recently launched by Geelong High School.

129. PAGE 129
In 2013, a number of projects were undertaken
by students involved in the Advance program.
Through a partnership with the Friends of
the Karkarook Park (Parks Victoria), students
assisted with the maintenance and re-vegetation
of specific areas of the parkland and supported
the Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria with
establishing and maintaining their gardens
within their grounds associated with the
Miniature Railway. The previous purchase
of a hothouse also saw students given the
opportunity to propagate and grow seedlings.
The seedlings where then used in the kitchen
program and plants were also grown for the
miniature railway.
Students also undertook visits to a local nursing
home, with students taking an active role in
planning weekly activities to entertain the
residents. In addition, students travelled to the
Bayside City Council kitchen facility to collect
meals for delivery to people in the community. A
healthy fitness habits program involved students
in a weekly bike safety program, learning about
and practicing road safety skills as well as
building up their endurance in preparation for a
long bike trip.
Southern Autistic School - Advance
All students were presented with Certificates
of Participation at the whole school assembly.
The students also decided on an end-of-year
disco and special lunch to celebrate their
achievements. Parks Victoria provided all
students with Certificates of Appreciation and
several Meals on Wheels clients recognised
student contributions by giving them a box of
chocolate. Students also recorded achievements
in their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Compass
Award Record Books. In appreciation for the
wonderful transformation of the gardens at
the Miniature Railway, the volunteer group
organised a morning tea and special ride on the
miniature railway for students.
Students also entered the Marriot Cup local
school gardening competition with their
delicious carrot cake pancakes. The carrots were
grown from a seed provided by the competition
organisers in the school vegetable garden.
Students were thrilled to come second out of
seven local school entrants.
Advance is funded by the Victorian Government

130. PAGE 130
Linking the Advance program to the Victorian
Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) in
2013 provided the opportunity for students
at Casterton Secondary College to complete a
number of community-based projects and greatly
enriched the students’ learning experience.
Year 11 VCAL students planned and organised
an RU OK day for Year 8 and 9 students. With
an anti-bullying theme, they organised a guest
speaker and ran a range of games and activities.
Students planned and prepared a float depicting
the school’s Applied Science Centre for the
Casterton Kelpie Festival, a major annual event
that showcases the town. The students cooked
dog biscuits, made dog toys and screen printed
items for sale. They were also involved in
setting up the sheep yards and the marquee for
the event. Over the weekend, students ran the
school potato van and assisted with many other
activities.
A three-day camp to the Charlton Traffic
Education Centre was also organised by students,
which enabled them to study road rules and
undertake day and night driving practice. Their
Casterton Secondary College - Advance
driving hours contributed to their Learner Driver
requirements and the students also received a
certificate of participation.
Year 12 students successfully planned and
ran a soccer day for the six surrounding
primary schools. In liaison with the schools,
they planned the fixture, prepared the fields,
umpired, coached and kept time. A fun fitness
day was also organised for the local kindergarten
children, which involved a round robin of
different activities with pairs of VCAL students
responsible for an activity at each stop.
The final major activity involved coordinating
and organising a three-day outdoor adventure
camp for Year 9 students. Senior students
conducted a training day for the Year 9 students
and undertook their Level 2 First Aid training.
The camp involved canoeing down the Glenelg
River and a celebration game of bowls in Mount
Gambier on the last day of the camp.
Advance is funded by the Victorian Government

132. Accessibility
If you would like to receive this publication in
an accessible format, such as large print or audio,
please telephone 03 9935 3001 or
email youth@dhs.vic.gov.au