Seven young people from across the community will bring their diverse life experiences and voices to the ACT Youth Advisory Council to further raise awareness of the aspirations, needs and concerns of young people with the ACT Government.
The seven new members are:
- Tayla Davis
- Hayley Whatman
- Zach Zhao
- Jemma Rule
- Price Magero
- Thomas Menzies Stegbauer
- Madison Barancewicz
These members will join the eight existing members and help to facilitate interaction between young people, the ACT Government, and the wider community.
The ACT Youth Advisory Council provides young people with the opportunity to take a leading role in participation and consultation activities on issues that affect their lives. This year, one of the key priorities of Council will be to deliver the 2023 ACT Youth Assembly, which is a platform for young Canberrans to have their voices heard and explore issues that impact young people.
Minister for Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said, “I was pleased to congratulate the new members at the inaugural meeting of the new council last week. They will be excellent champions for young Canberrans, and I look forward to being guided by their diverse perspectives and expertise. I am particularly excited to see the outcomes from the 2023 ACT Youth Assembly later this year.
“I would like also to thank outgoing Council members for the commitment and dedication they have shown to the council and young Canberrans. Your contributions to the council have allowed us to progress some of the key priorities under the Council’s 2021-22 work plan. Their work has left a positive impact on our local community and they should be proud of the legacy they leave behind.
Quote attributable to incoming member Hayley Whatman:
“As a newly appointed member to the ACT Youth Advisory Council, I am honoured to have the opportunity to further expand on my commitment to the betterment of outcomes for all young people across the ACT. As a young person myself who has faced many adverse life experiences, I understand firsthand the impact that inequity and disadvantage can have on an individual’s quality of life. As such, my desire to apply for the ACT Youth Advisory Council stems from my lived experiences, resilience, passion, and my greater purpose: advocating for the unheard voices of young people in pursuit of social justice. As a new member of the Council, I am particularly excited to work alongside like-minded individuals to consult with young people across the ACT and advocate for institutional-level changes that promote social equity for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances. Together, I am confident that we can create a brighter future for all young people in our community.”
Quote attributable to outgoing Co-Chair, Nic Villiers:
“Having experienced significant disadvantages, adversity, and challenges as a young person, I have learnt many unique and valuable life lessons. I applied for the Youth Advisory Council because I wanted these experiences and lessons to help other young people going through these issues be better supported and have better outcomes than I was able to. Through the Council, I have worked collaboratively to deliver incredible outcomes to improve the lives of young people I never could have on my own. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to affect meaningful change for youth.”
