National Youth Roundtable 2003 Member Profiles

Jonathan, 20, is studying commerce and science at the University of NSW.

Jonathan is keen to look at supporting transitions to independence, having lived independently for some years while his parents are working overseas.

Actively involved at university and within his community, Jonathan is a member of the Blacktown City Council Sister City Committee and the Peer Assistance Support Scheme at his university.

Jonathan was selected to represent his university at the China Synergy Programme for Outstanding Youth in 2002.

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Tonya is a 20 year-old Indigenous student of Horticulture from Burketown on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

She also works for Pasminco’s Century Mine and has first-hand knowledge of this successful partnership between the mine and Native Title claimants.

She has been extremely active in developing and promoting youth activities in the region and their value in assisting young people in remote communities.

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17-year-old Peter was a keen sportsman, umpire and coach until he suffered an accident in January 2002 that left him quadriplegic.

With help from his local community he is working towards new goals, such as starting a combined disabled and able-bodied football team.

Peter has found that many disabled people find it difficult to have their views heard and is keen to pursue this during his time on the Roundtable.

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21-year-old Ben is studying for a degree in social work at Curtin University.

He has been involved in charity work for many years, including for the Sisters of Mercy Soup Kitchen.

He journeyed to India to work in poor houses and missions in Calcutta and Mumbai and found that this experience changed his outlook on life.

Having overcome a subsequent period of serious depression, Ben found that problems among disadvantaged young people in his local community are also severe and he is determined to work to improve the situation.

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Naomi, 18, completed Year 12 last year and was awarded the inaugural Augusta-Margaret River Shire Student Bursary and is now working to review and develop the Shire’s community programs for young people.

Having been a member of the Shire’s Youth Advisory Committee for three years and a participant in many community activities and forums, Naomi is concerned about the difficulties and lack of opportunities faced by rural youth.

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Kathleen McCoy is a 19-year-old student at the Australian National University, where she is undertaking a combined Arts/law degree.

Kathleen is originally from Walcha, a regional town located in the Northern Tablelands of NSW.

Kathleen was awarded the Walcha Young Citizen of the Year Award in 2001 for her contribution to the life of the Walcha community.

In 2001, Kathleen was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in France and is now interested in looking at education in rural and regional areas.

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17-year-old Meredith attends Westbourne Grammar School.

Both Meredith and her twin sister have cerebral palsy and Meredith is interested in the challenges which face a family with dependents.

Meredith also wants to look at transitions to independence and how these can be more adequately handled for young people in her situation.

She is active in the Cerebral Palsy Support Network and has spoken at a number of functions to raise awareness.Advisory Team member.

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Alice, 19, finished Year 12 at Ballarat Secondary College last year.

A member of both the Ballarat City Youth Council and the Ballarat FREEZA Group, Alice has also been a co-ordinator at the STUFFEST Youth Forum and the Youth Week Express Yourself Forum and a participant in the Reversing the Drift Youth Summit.

Alice believes that having a positive youth voice is particularly important in regional areas and is interested in expanding youth leadership
and youth development activities.

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Vicki is a 23-year-old from Darwin, who currently works as a human resource officer with the NT Department of Corporate and Information Services.

She is the Secretary of the NT Foundation for Young Australians Youth Grant Makers Committee and was the Chair of the Chief Minister’s Roundtable of Young Territorians in 2001.

Vicki has been actively involved in National Youth Week (NYW) events for several years and was on the NYW Steering Committee for 2002.

She has been on the judging panel for several awards, including the Chief Minister’s Tribute to Territory Women Awards in 2003 and the Young Australian of the Year Awards (NT) 2002.

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