National Youth Roundtable 2002 Member Profiles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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