2002 - Members by State
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| PDF of New South Wales Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Jonathan Jones
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Jonathan, 23, is a third year community management student at the University of Technology in Sydney and in his honour year for fine arts at the University of NSW. He is an Indigenous artist and works as an independent curator. Since 1996 he has worked on a number of community and arts projects. Jonathan is critically investigating and promoting the realities and contexts of contemporary urban Indigenous youth cultures. He is achieving this through a poster exhibition that profiles the work of young contemporary urban Indigenous visual artists across a variety of mediums. His project seeks to challenge preconceived notions in the broader community by highlighting and strengthening the diversity of urban Aboriginality and creating role models for young and emerging contemporary Indigenous visual artists. View Report (193KB) |
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Reuben Humphries
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Twenty four year old Reuben has been involved with a number of community services in his area including the Volunteer Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service, the Bega Area Health Council, the Bega Valley Shire Council Social Plan Development Focus Group and the Dry River Land Care Group. Reuben is interested in overcoming the isolation and distance in rural and regional Australia, and changing community perceptions about young people. His projects will look at the effects of loneliness, chronic illness, disability, low employment and promoting education for young people in rural and regional Australia. View Report (236KB) |
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David Khoury
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Eighteen year old David is in his final year at Casimir Catholic College at Marrickville. He is a member of the Marrickville Youth Council and a youth representative on Marrickville Council’s sister cities committee. David holds the school’s tennis competition title at the Marrickville Tennis Club which is the first time Casimir has won this competition. David aims to hold a State Drug Forum, where young people can express their opinions on the efficacy and suitability of current drug education programs in secondary schooling. David feels that the current curriculum does not meet the needs of young people in relation to drug education, and would like to offer some innovative ideas on different approaches for the future. He believes that young people have a vital role to play in setting the curriculum that they themselves have to engage with and learn from. View Report (185KB) |
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Brittany Noble
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Nineteen year old Brittany has a young son who is a toddler. She has been involved in the community for many years with the Clarence Pastoral and Agricultural Society. Brittany is a regular tutor for disabled youth and has participated in “The Northern Rivers Area Health – Attachment and Bonding Program”. She also assisted with the “2001 Maclean Travelling Roadshow”. Brittany is currently employed with the Maclean Community Health
Brittany aims to improve the quality of life for young country people, particularly in relation to health care. Brittany will investigate the isolation of young country people and her project examines issues such as Medicare, bulk billing, teenage pregnancy, mental health and medical services for young people. View Report (171KB) |
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Ana Kosi
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Twenty four year old Ana has a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) and works as a caseworker for the Department of Community Services (DoCS). Ana is a member of the Griffith Multicultural Council. Ana is also involved in the management committee of the Griffith Multicultural Resource and Information Centre. Ana is currently involved with the Griffith Domestic Violence committee and in the past has been involved in the Griffith Adult Learning Association and Griffith Suicide Prevention team. Ana’s interests and involvement in the Griffith community extends to participating in facilitating and coordinating community events with the purpose of promoting cultural diversity and harmony. Ana is developing a program that will provide feedback and recommendations from young people to youth service providers about their activities and interaction with young people. She is also developing a workshop addressing self-esteem, peer pressure and drug and alcohol education. She is interested in these issues because she believes young people should be empowered to contribute to programs aimed at them. View Report (158KB) |
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Robert Day
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Twenty year old Robert has just completed his second year of a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) at the University of Technology in Sydney. He is involved in social justice issues, particularly in relation to reconciliation and refugees. In 1999 Robert received a commendation for his service to the community from the Order of Australia Association. He has been involved with Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and in 2000, he won a Young Citizen of the Year award from Sutherland Shire Council. Robert would like to promote greater understanding between Australians from different cultural backgrounds and greater equality and acceptance between cultural groups. He believes this is an important objective because there are significant tensions between cultural groups. Robert feels these tensions stem from a lack of understanding and can result in inequality, racial violence and inappropriate policies. View Report (129KB) |
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Simon Kalinowski
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Simon, 23, is self employed and has been a motivational speaker on a number of occasions. He has completed a Bachelor of Business and has been involved in youth work at his local church. Simon is looking at the transition from school to work or school to further employment. Simon aims to better educate and inform young people, enabling them to make wise decisions. Simon is developing a coaching and development program aimed at year 9-10 students so that they receive sufficient support and guidance to find successful pathways. View Report (117KB) |
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Karolina Mazurkiewicz
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Karolina, 15, has just completed Year 10 at Freeman Catholic College at Bonnyrigg Heights. Karolina is involved with the City of Liverpool’s Youth Council and is a member of the Liverpool youth media team where she recently covered the YAPA conference. Karolina is working towards breaking down barriers between the media and young people. She is working on setting up a radio station in her high school, where young people would be able to speak of their experiences first hand. Karolina feels that by getting involved in media, young people can better communicate their ideas to their communities. View Report (64KB) |
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Jemma Northam
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Jemma, 16, has just completed Year 10 at South Grafton High School. She is a scholar, musician, vocalist and sportsperson. She has been a member of the school SRC for four years and acts as a leader at Christian camps. Jemma is a debater and has represented the North Coast of NSW in public speaking. Jemma wants to investigate mental health with a particular focus on female eating disorders and resultant depression/suicide. She hopes to develop a range of strategies through health education in schools and increased access to mental health services for young people, to increase community awareness and help individuals gain a positive identity and alternative lifestyle options. View Report (129KB) |
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Amie Milligan
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Sixteen year old Amie is currently studying at Taree High School where she is a member of the Student Representative Council. Amie was selected as the representative from the Taree District for the NSW Student Representative Council Conference 2001. A keen debater she has won a number of awards for public speaking. Amie is interested in educating young leaders about their influence on shaping community ideals. She is addressing discrimination of race, colour and religion
in rural communities, and her project will look at maintaining
a sense of community, regardless of socio-economic, religious
or racial differences. View Report (148KB) |
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Viet Duong
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Twenty three year old Viet is in her final year of a Commerce/Law degree at Macquarie University. She has written a number of articles on multiculturalism and fundraises for Amnesty International, Legacy and World Vision. She has been campaigning with the Refugee Support Committee, recently awarded the Austcare Paul Cullen Award 2001 for services to refugees, since it began in 1994. In 2000, Viet achieved second place in a writing competition organised by SBS Radio. Viet aims to reduce plastic cutlery use at Macquarie University through the visual arts - photography, sculpture, poster and performance. Viet would like to raise awareness among young people that every little step counts towards maintaining the health of our environment. View Report (212KB) |
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Jordan Kerr
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Jordan, 20, attends Charles Sturt University in Bathurst where he is involved in a number of forums including the Student Council and the Queer Collective. He is also actively involved in his community through the Willoughby Council Youth Forum and as the President of the Mitchell Buddhist Group. In 2001 he helped establish a reading room for children at Mobray Primary School. Jordan is interested in promoting real solutions to difficult issues facing school-aged gay and lesbian young people. He would like to see a re-education of sexuality, as social intolerance and discrimination seem to surround the gay and lesbian lifestyle, particularly in schools. Jordan believes this can prevent gay and lesbian young people from reaching their full potential. View Report (171KB) |
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Thao Nguyen
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Thao, 21, is currently studying at the University of Sydney and works closely with Open Family in Cabramatta. Thao is also on the youth sub-committee of the Vietnamese Community of Australia (NSW) and is President of the Vietnamese Students Association. Thao is interested in reducing drug use and addiction among young people through drug education reform. As a young person growing up in South West Sydney, Thao has witnessed the destructive nature of drug addiction and feels strongly that drug education needs to focus more on the reality of drug lifestyles, rather than 'textbook' definitions. View Report (297KB) |
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Adrian Pattra
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Twenty two year old Adrian is a self employed lecturer on life changing skills for high school students. He established his own company, Little Leaps of Logic, in 1998 and has lectured to over 4,000 students from over 50 high schools. Adrian is currently studying to be an Accredited Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner. Adrian referees and trains others to referee soccer. His service to the community has been recognized by an Order of Australia Commendation. Adrian is passionate about youth suicide prevention and wants to develop 'Create!', a program to develop life changing skills and tools to allow students to create a positive sense of self. The program will also aim to reduce youth suicide rates by providing young people with coping skills to help them create a sense of resilience. View Report (100KB) |
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| File Name |
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| PDF of Northern Territory Roundtable members Team Summary |
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David Hevey
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David is a 16 year old student at Casuarina Senior College. He is active in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, Scouts, Cadets and the school band and has received a number of awards including Young Citizen of the Year for Nhulunbuy in 2000. In 2001, David represented the Northern Territory in the National Youth Parliament. David is investigating the issues around the rapid development of Palmerston, NT, and wants thorough assessments of land before any development begins. He also plans to investigate the input Indigenous people have into decisions about commercial and government land use. David would like to consider the use of the 11 mile RAAF establishment, once it is decommissioned in 2003, for developmental purposes to save unnecessary land clearing, instead of its planned use as a detention centre. View Report (107KB) |
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Iyngaran Selvaratnam
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Iyngaran is 17 and studying Medicine at James Cook University in Townsville. He has represented the Northern Territory at the National Youth Science Forum, the Professor Harry Messel International Science School and the National School's Constitutional Convention and Debating Championships. He was the President of the Leo Club of Nightcliff and is a keen soccer player having represented the Darwin region in soccer. He is also heavily involved in cultural and youth group activities with the Hindu and the Tamil Societies in the Northern Territory and was chosen as the Northern Territory youth delegate for the National Hindu Conference in 2001. He was also a Kids Helpline trained Peer Helper and Student Representative Council member at his school, Casuarina Senior College. A migrant himself, Iyngaran has had personal experience of intolerance and racism that many migrants encounter everyday in Australia. Iyngaran feels that this conflict and friction in the community can be caused by lack of awareness, understanding and appreciation of other cultures. He is focussing on making the community and young people more familiar with other cultures by holding a community and school cultural day as well as developing educational material. View Report (92KB) |
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Selena Uibo
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Selena is a 17 year old Indigenous student from Darwin. She has been a member of the Northern Territory Youth Parliament and the Aboriginal and Islander Tertiary Aspiration Program. An ongoing problem facing the Australian education sector is the low rate of Indigenous young people participating in tertiary education. Selena is investigating the success and efficacy of the current Australian Aboriginal Islander Tertiary Aspiration Program (AITAP) and may recommend that this program be adopted nationally. Selena wants to create opportunities for Indigenous students to realise and fulfil their potential. View Report (102KB) |
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| File Name |
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| PDF of Western Australia Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Linden Brownley
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Sixteen year old Linden is a student at Swan Christian College. He has been a member of the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia, the Future Leaders Conference and the Australian YMCA Centenary of Federation Youth Parliament. Linden recently led a team of students to Wongutha Christian Aboriginal Parent-Directed School to promote a friendship exchange between students with different cultural backgrounds. Linden is raising awareness in the community about the problems mining companies are causing; namely, salinity and land degradation, which are affecting Aboriginal people, the environment and the land he loves. He believes sacred sites on Wongatha land are at risk. Linden is also looking at better defining Aboriginality, in terms of identification and acceptance, to ensure that support goes to the truly disadvantaged. *Report unavailable |
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Mohammed Isa Minkom
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Mohammed is 23 years old and works full-time as a project officer for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council. He is the Home Island Youth Group Co-ordinator and is involved with the Cocos Cultural Activities Club, Cocos Fisheries Committee and also a member of the Fire and Emergency Services of Australia. Mohammed has experienced a range of different cultures through his overseas travel and rural background. Mohammed is keen to increase equal opportunity in youth services on the Cocos Islands. He believes young people on the Islands are disadvantaged because of isolation, a lack of facilities available to young people and a lack of youth involvement in the decisions that directly affect them. Mohammed feels all of these elements have contributed to antisocial behaviour among young people on the Islands. View Report (120KB) |
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Katherine Kilgariff
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Katherine, 20, is a youth worker employed through the Hills Community Support Group and is in her second year of a Social Science (Youth Work) degree. Through various community organisations she has volunteered her time to gain experience in the youth work field. These include the North Metropolitan Community Drug Service team, the Stand by Me Youth Service and the Eastern Perth Public and Community Health Unit. She is also involved in the community as a member of the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. Katherine wants to raise awareness about dual diagnosis of drug addiction and mental illness to move towards providing services that work holistically to address these issues. She is also interested in promoting youth friendly GPs and providing
more youth workers in high schools. View Report (152KB) |
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Tegan Ottey
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Sixteen year old Tegan was a founding member of the Shire of Capel Youth Advisory Council and represented this council in state and regional conferences addressing issues affecting young people. Tegan was awarded the Shire of Capel Youth of the Year award in 2000. Tegan is exploring issues in her local forest, Tuart Forest, such as mining, logging, farming and bush fires. Her aim is to better educate young people in her community about these issues. View Report (69KB) |
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Patricia Le
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Fifteen year old Patricia studies at Morley Senior High and is involved in the Vietnamese Evangelical Church. In 2001 she was a participant in the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program and was nominated for the Western Australian Youth Minister’s Positive Image Award. Patricia won the State award for the National History Challenge and was runner-up in the State Simpson Prize. Patricia would like to see wider awareness about the experiences of second-generation immigrants, by promoting existing local programs that have an emphasis on languages and cultural activities/events. Patricia believes that loss of cultural/family background can lead to problems ranging from frustration and depression, to antisocial behaviour. She feels it is important that such programs are encouraged, sustained, and emulated by other groups in the community. View Report (84KB) |
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| PDF of Victoria Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Helena Bates
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Helena, 16, attends Maroondah Secondary College where she has been involved in peer support programs and as a camp leader. She is a committee member of the Youth Centre Drop In Programme and participated in the Maroondah City Council Young Leaders’ Programme in 2000. Helena was also a youth representative on the State Government Drug Policy Expert Committee in 2000. Helena wants to challenge generalised and stereotyped public perceptions of young people. She feels that young people are seen in a negative light because they gather in public places like shops, car parks and railway stations, when instead the community should be recognising and celebrating young people's achievements and contributions to their communities. View Report (147KB) |
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Erin Clark
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Erin Clark, 17, is a student at Bendigo Senior Secondary College. She feels passionately about youth involvement in the democratic process, and is a member of the Foundation for Young Australians as a Youth Grant Maker. Erin is also a founding member of the Bendigo Youth Action Council, a board member of the B-Central Youth Resource Committee, a member of the Bendigo FReeZA Committee, which organises drug and alcohol free events for young people, and an attendee of numerous youth forums. These include the Victorian Youth Roundtable, Youth Impact 2000, regional and state constitutional conventions, YAC Victoria Reversing the Drift Summit, Here For Life and Victorian Youth Week forums. Erin's roundtable project centres around fostering meaningful youth participation. Erin is developing a guide on the formation of youth advisory committees and is examining and evaluating the current operation of youth advisory bodies in her area. She is in the process of establishing an online network for Victorian regional young people interested in youth participation. View Report (96KB) |
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Nathan Goetz
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Nathan, 18, has just completed year 12 at Saint Paul’s College. The recipient of the Australia Day Scholarship for Bond University, Nathan is now studying Law. He has been actively involved in his school community as a member on the Student Representative Council and in 2000 was awarded Student Marianist Award for community spirit. Nathan has also been involved in a number of community fund-raising activities and was a delegate at the 2001 United Nations Youth Conference. Nathan believes that Australia needs a national focus to solve, not minimise, the problems associated with drugs. He would like to see Federal, State and Territory Governments commit to a unified approach to the National Drug Strategy. View Report (139KB) |
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Lance Tucker
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Lance is an 18 year old student at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology studying a Bachelor of Arts (fashion). He has participated in the “Paving the Way” with the Education Trust Victoria, the National Youth Week Forum and the “East Timor Relief” appeal. Lance has fundraised for Western Family Services and was involved in the Melbourne City Mission Winter Sleepout. He has completed a university enhancement study in Philosophy through Monash University. Lance is interested in addressing issues faced by homophobic students and staff in school systems. He would like to promote equality across all areas. Specifically, he feels it is fundamental that all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students feel secure and safe in their school environment. View Report (604KB) |
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Frank Bonnici
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Frank, 24, works part-time as a computer programmer for Coles Myer and is a volunteer worker with various organisations such as the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre and St Vincent’s Youth & Homeless Community Programs. He participates in many activities such as the Monthly Good Grief – Outreach and is a peer facilitator in a Youth Project Team of the Victorian AIDS Council. Frank has also contributed to the writings of a Young Person’s Bereavement Book and is a presenter for ‘Going Even Deeper’, a Community Hypothetical. Frank is interested in reducing homophobia in society through education. He believes that no person should be treated differently, or be discriminated against, simply because they are part of a minority. View Report (604KB) |
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Louise Dunster
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Louise, 19, is intending to study social work at La Trobe University in 2002. Louise volunteers at the Internet Café, is a committee member of the Benalla Youth Providers Working Group and was recently voted the new chairperson of the Upyouth Foundation. Louise is interested in improving the image of young people. She believes that if young people have more respect for themselves then the rest of the community may share in that respect. Louise hopes to examine a number of important social issues such as young women and violent relationships, eating disorders and low self-esteem. View Report (113KB) |
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Ervina Lay
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Ervina, 20, is commencing a Masters of Business System at Monash University. Ervina is a member of the management committee of the Western Young People’s Independent Network where she works with refugee and migrant youth issues. She has delivered peer education programs to schools about refugee and anti-racism issues and assisted with an after school homework support program for English as a Second Language for young people. Migrating to a new country, learning a new language, trying to assimilate into the mainstream community and education system is a struggle for many young migrants. Ervina believes that better community understanding of the specific needs of refugee and migrant young people is important in reducing racism and misunderstanding. She aims to develop a strong understanding of what works best for migrant youth to adapt into the Australian education system through the establishment of a support group and youth empowerment program for young migrants. View Report (152KB) |
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Belinda Chalmers
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Belinda, 24, is a Youth Development Officer at South Gippsland Shire Council. Her role is to promote young people's achievements and create opportunities for them to become active and valued members of her community. Belinda has been involved in a number of projects, including the establishment of a youth committee, a three-week youth festival, youth forums, a youth leadership program, holiday activities and other events that highlight the talents of young people. Belinda aims to increase young people's knowledge of and access to services that help them deal with the challenges they face living in a rural area. She is consulting with young people and service providers and establishing a closer link between them. As transport is a major issue in her area, she aims to develop a means to take information to young people. View Report (450KB) |
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Justin Elks
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Twenty year old Justin is doing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies) at Deakin University and works as a disability therapist in a private home. He is a tutor/helper with the Homework Club at St Judes Church in Carlton, a member of the Christian Union and a Warrant Officer of the Boys’ Brigade Australia. Justin is interested in enabling disabled students to have equity and choice in mainstream education by instigating policy changes to raise awareness of the health issues that can affect them. View Report (67KB) |
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Jessica McDonald
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Jessica, 18, has held the roles of class student representative and a year level representative on the Student Representative Council. She has represented both Marian and the local community at State Youth Forums, is involved with the Justice and Democracy Forum, St. Vincent de Paul Chapter, Amnesty International Group and assisted in the development of the school Bullying and Harassment Policy. Jessica wants to address the needs of young people who are same-sex attracted. She aims to develop mechanisms to assist young people in coming to terms with their sexuality and help them develop a positive sense of self. Jessica feels this is important because social isolation or alienation can restrict young people's valuable contribution to society. View Report (80KB) |
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| File Name |
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| PDF of South Australia Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Heidi Bartram
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Nineteen year old Heidi is a third year marine biology student at Flinders University where she also coaches various sporting teams. In 2000 she won the University Hall Sports Women of the Year Award and was a youth representative on the Centenary of Federation Youth Advisory Committee. Heidi is looking at establishing marine education and conservation camps for South Australian schools, incorporating both broad and local environmental issues. She is also looking at the problems facing organisations trying to convert to 'green energy', and how they could be overcome. In particular, she is working with the new and old residential colleges at the Flinders University of South Australia. View Report (818KB) |
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Lauren Smeaton
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Twenty two year old Lauren is a youth worker who specialises in drama and dance. She has been an integral player in the establishment of several youth initiatives in her local area. She participated in the South Australian Youth Parliament in 2000 and 2001 and performed at the Paralympics. Lauren's goal is to develop and create opportunities in performing arts for young offenders or those at risk of offending as a form of crime prevention. She feels this is important in building confidence, leadership potential, social skills and developing initiative. View Report (145KB) |
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Jodie Corfield
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Jodie, 21, has a three year old son. She helped with the formation of the Willunga Youth Forum and is active within this Forum. Jodie is involved with a young parent group, Tour Down Under and the facilitation of regular youth events. Jodie is interested in educating young parents to improve their ability to access housing within the community and provide information on the standards of housing available. As a young parent, Jodie would like to raise the profile of young parents' issues in a community forum. View Report (88KB) |
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Michelle Wigg
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Eighteen year old Michelle is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Adelaide. Michelle attended National Youth Congress 2000 and is a dedicated member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, acting as president of the "Out & About" youth conference. She has also worked with other social justice organisations such as World Vision, Caritas and UNICEF. Michelle's other volunteer interests include environmental issues, youth arts, mental health and promoting the ReachOut! initiative as a Youth Ambassador. Michelle is looking at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the level of power use in schools. As an incentive to achieve this goal, she is encouraging local government to engage in a 'bet' with the participants. Michelle believes that it is essential for all young people to nurture and protect Australia's diverse environment; for now and the future. *Report unavailable |
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Rebecca Ebert
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Nineteen year old Rebecca is studying a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of South Australia. While she was at school, she initiated and co-ordinated a rural youth health program in the Barossa Valley, which has been adopted by a number of schools. Rebecca works at her local nursing home and is actively involved in youth affairs through local and state organisations. She won the Young South Australian Citizen of the Year award in 2001. Rebecca is examining how isolation contributes to youth suicide. She will make recommendations to contribute to the reduction of youth suicide rates based on her research of current programs. Rebecca believes that Governments and service providers need to combine long-term programs with action and information that is more direct so that they can reach young people with suicidal thoughts today, not tomorrow. View Report (1,703KB) |
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| PDF of Tasmania Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Andrew is 17 years old and currently attending St Patricks College where he is a member of the Student Representative Council. Andrew has experienced ways in which cultural diversity can enhance the community. Much of his community involvement centres on his work with people with disabilities and those who are socially disadvantaged. Andrew wants to inform Government about 'Safe Space'. Safe Space provides a non-threatening environment in which a person can fully reach their potential. He wants to challenge community thought processes and opinions about young people and their environments. He is particularly concerned with this issue because he has felt unsafe in his educational space. View Report (358KB) |
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Pria Holmes
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Sixteen year old Pria studies at Hobart College where she is active in a number of school activities and associations. In 2000 and 2001, she was involved in education consultation as a member of the Department of Education curriculum consultation committee. Pria feels that the current secondary school curriculum does not focus enough on lifelong learning and life skills education. Through consultations with students and educators, Pria hopes to identify what the key essential learning areas are in terms of life skills education for young people. Pria plans to take the finding of these consultations and incorporate them into a framework for a series of forums and workshops, which she will recommend be conducted nationally. View Report (223KB) |
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Christopher Tanti
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Twenty year old Christopher, moved to Tasmania to study marine biology at the Australian Maritime College. He has been involved in fundraising and sporting activities, as well as youth forums and was managing director of the Young Achievement Australia Small Business Management Team. In 1998 he was named Young Victor Harbour Citizen of the Year. Chris is on a quest for a more marine conscious Australia. He believes there is an underlying problem with the lack of attention to marine studies in the school curriculum. He wants to support the development of a relationship between Australian schools and marine conscious environmental bodies. To achieve this, he is seeking the views of various fishing industries and marine educators. Together, Everyone Achieves More!! View Report (108KB) |
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| PDF of Queensland Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Chelsea Bond
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Twenty three year old Chelsea recently graduated with Honours from the University of Queensland and is employed full-time as an associate lecturer in Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland. She has initiated a number of projects and programs in Dalby and is on a number of committees. Chelsea was recently married.Chelsea is focusing on producing a resource that will explore, validate and promote the notion of culture and identity for urban Aboriginal young people amongst both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Brisbane. This issue stems from Chelsea's own experience as an Aboriginal/South Sea Islander and young Australian. View Report (274KB) |
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Darren Chant
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Seventeen year old Darren is an apprentice carpenter. In 2001, he was a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year awards and worked as a team leader on the National Youth at the Centre which brought young people from around Australia to Boonah to build a cottage in two days. As a member of the Boonah Youth Centre he has attended forums such as the Forum for Apprentices and the Rural Leader’s Forum. In 2002, he was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award in the Boonah Shire in recognition of his achievements and community involvement over several years and was nominated for the Q-build Apprentice of the Year award. He coaches the under 10 local soccer team and umpired at the recent Queensland state vigoro titles. Darren is focussing on establishing links between young people at the local high school and the local MP, attempting to bring more youth-based initiatives into the community. Darren is interested in encouraging young rural people to take positive action to create the changes needed to be beneficial to their future. View Report (154KB) |
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Helena Rose
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Helena, 24, is a final year student in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Queensland. She is involved in a number of disability and university organisations. She is very aware of the many difficulties surrounding students with disabilities and has endeavoured through her involvement in various groups to channel a path to make it easier for students to access appropriate programs. Helena’s efforts were recognised when she won the ‘Shine On Awards’ for focusing on the abilities of those with disabilities from Rotary International in 1999. Helena is acutely aware of education and employment issues for young people, and aims to make a significant contribution to the Roundtable on these issues. Helena aims to explore the suitability of support services and initiatives for young people with a mental illness/psychiatric disability in their pathways through education and employment. Through interviews and surveys, she is assessing current service provision from the viewpoint of young people as 'consumers'. Above all, Helena wants to accurately portray the experiences, feelings and recommendations of young people who have experienced the mental health system first-hand, and who have or are in the process of reclaiming their life as productive members of the community. *Report unavailable |
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Waverley Canendo
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Nineteen year old Waverley is currently working part-time at the Yarrabah Aboriginal Council. He has been involved in a number of organisations and programs including the National Youth Reconciliation Convention, the Aboriginal Co-ordinating Council and the Aboriginal and Islander Tertiary Aspirations Program and is attempting to set up a youth advisory group for the local council. Waverley is passionate about Indigenous education issues, which he believes are more sensitive than mainstream educational issues due to cultural barriers, language barriers, teaching methods and access within the students' own communities. He is creating more opportunities for young Indigenous Australians through a mentoring program and a youth quiz night, which will provide a non-threatening environment in which to raise issues about Indigenous education. View Report (97KB) |
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Penny Dollin
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Penny, 22, works full-time as a Policy Officer for the Queensland Department of Industrial Relations. She has a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources Management with Distinction and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction. She is a member of the Department of Employment and Training Youth Network and the QLD Special Interest Group Working Party for the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Penny has also been a member of AHRI for nearly five years. Penny aims to find out what is required to make university students and universities aware of the skills students need to be employable and work ready. Penny is also exploring the difficulties faced by regional university graduates in finding work in their local communities. Through consultations with regional and metropolitan employers and universities, Penny hopes to make recommendations for smoother pathways to graduate employment; and allow young people the opportunity to remain in regional Australia. View Report (149KB) |
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Samuel Catalano
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Sam, 22, is a mining engineer with Mt Isa Mines. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in 2001. While studying Sam was involved in promoting various activities for young people within the minerals industry. He has worked overseas and gained experience dealing with a wide range of people and peers in the mining industry and in the broader community. Sam aims to investigate current attitudes, practises and policies surrounding young people and Workplace Health and Safety. Through consultations with young people in the workplace, employers and policy makers, Sam hopes to make recommendations, which will encourage young people to take an active interest in the safety of themselves and others and ultimately promote a safer workplace for all Australians. View
Report
(476KB) |
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Brett Leach
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Twenty two year old Brett works part-time at the St George Youth and Community Association - a Rural Youth Information Service Provider. He attended the Queensland Job Placement, Employment and Training State Conference as a guest speaker and the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Planning Forum. He is a member of the Balonne Indigenous Youth Progress Group and the Balonne Community Housing Project. Brett works part time for the Department of Family Services as a youth worker. Brett aims to deliver a collective youth perspective to ensure the future of young people in rural and isolated communities. He is examining the obstacles rural communities face in pursuing educational and employment opportunities, as well as accessing assistance in other areas to improve/sustain a decent quality of life. View Report (171KB) |
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| PDF of Australian Capital Territory Roundtable members Team Summary |
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Rohan Connor
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Rohan is a 18 year old student studying Arts/Law at the Australian National University. He has been involved with the United Nations as a youth policy member and as an Australian youth ambassador in the Netherlands. He has been a youth envoy for the Centenary of Federation and acted as a youth advisor to Jacqui Burke MLA. Rohan has participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and is an active debater. As a nation, we send many young people to international forums. Although these forums offer incredible opportunities for those chosen to attend, other young people do not currently see any benefits from these 'investments'. Rohan would like to ensure that young Australians are adequately represented in a variety of world forums; and that these representatives pass on their valuable knowledge and experience to other young people in their local communities. View Report (143KB) |
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Julia Fetherston
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Fifteen year old Julia is a student at Canberra Girls Grammar. She is a member of Amnesty International, and is involved with public speaking, Student Represenative Council and Duke of Edinburgh's Award. She is the 2002 ACT winner of the Simpson Prize, a member of the ACT Debating Team and a member of the ACT Committee of the Foundation for Young Australians. Julia is establishing a youth working group in conjunction with Environment Australia. The working group will provide input and advice to the National Council for Environmental Education on youth issues and opinions related to the environment. She anticipates that the group will have its first meeting in July 2002. View Report (150KB) |
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Alastair Lawrie
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Gay and proud, twenty three year old Alastair grew up on a cattle station in Central Queensland. Having moved to Canberra to study, he is currently the ANU Students’ Association Sexuality Officer. Alastair is a volunteer with the ACT AIDS Action Council and has previously served on the National Union of Students National Queer Committee. Alastair is interested in practical ways to reduce the level of sexuality/homophobia related suicide among young Australians. Alastair does not want others to experience being suicidal as a gay teenager in the same way he did and believes that we can do something about sexuality/homophobia related youth suicide. View Report (103KB) |
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*For health and other reasons, some members have not produced a community project report.