2004 - Members by State
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Ben Cooper |
Ben,
17, is a student at St Stanislaus’ College, Bathurst. He also works on a casual basis as a baker’s assistant. Ben is interested in reconciliation, improving opportunities for rural and regional young Australians, particularly in the field of performing arts, and partnerships between rural and urban schools. |
Kaila Murnain |
Kaila,
17, is a Year 12 student at Narrabri High School. She is interested in improving leadership among rural youth, improving and promoting education and training opportunities for young people in rural areas and alcohol abuse in rural and remote communities. |
Dane Garrood |
Dane,
19, is studying Commerce and Business Law at the University of
New South Wales. He is interested in investigating the intra-generational inequality between rural and metropolitan populations, the educational disadvantages of country school students, and youth alcohol and drug abuse. |
Kash Manamperi |
Coming
from a Sri Lankan background, Kash, 19, is studying at the University
of New South Wales for a Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Studies
and Finance. He is passionate about youth enterprise and leadership, sustainable development and greater cultural awareness. |
Ebony Allen |
Ebony,
18, is a student at the University of Technology, Sydney, where
she is undertaking a Bachelor of Law in Australian Indigenous
Studies. She wants to explore issues that affect Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse young people, such as discrimination and racism. Ebony is also interested in empowering young Australians in rural areas, and youth mental health issues. |
Ania Stepien |
Ania,
20, is very active in her community, volunteering her time for
many youth organisations, including Amnesty International, the
Red Cross and the Salvation Army. She has participated in many Christian youth camps and is very involved in the Catholic youth community. She has starred in a national TV series as Cybergirl, which won the AFI award for best children’s show and was nominated for a Logie. She was also a presenter for the children's TV series, Totally Wild. |
Aidan Devitt |
Aidan,
18, is an Indigenous student at the Australian National University,
where he is studying Asian Studies and Commerce. He is passionate about issues involving Indigenous young people in his community, as well as education more broadly. |
Georgia Plunkett |
Georgia,
16, recently completed her Year 10 certificate at St Joseph’s
High School in Port Macquarie. She is interested in education, mental health and family support networks and has been instrumental in setting up the Point Zero program, which allows party givers to register with police to help keep partying safe for young people in her region. |
Nichole Sullivan |
Nichole,
23, is studying for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology,
at the University of Wollongong. She would like to explore how terrorism affects young people, as well as issues surrounding youth mental health and the re-integration of early school leavers into the education system. Nichole is the Secretary for the Dunn Lewis Foundation, a non-profit organisation. |
Ali Childs |
Ali,
24, is a full-time mother of two. She would like to draw on personal experience to explore the effects of prison sentences on inmates and their families, particularly children. |
Ula Wiszniewski |
Ula,
22, is studying Law at the University of Sydney. She also works part-time as an Assistant Manager at CCK Discount Vitamins Pty Ltd and is interested in the health of Australian young people, cultural diversity and gender equality. |
Sebastian De Brennan |
Sebastian
De Brennan, 23, is currently attending the University of Western
Sydney where he is studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Management)/Bachelor
of Law. Sebastian is passionate about youth leadership, access and justice, and improving education in Western Sydney. |
Nicola Reid |
Nicola,
21, is studying Engineering (Industrial Chemistry) at the University
of New South Wales. She is interested in promoting a passion for learning among adolescents and young adults, intercultural understanding and support for young adults and teenagers with serious illnesses. |
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Sarah Chunys |
20-year-old
2004 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year, Sarah, is
studying for a Bachelor of Psychology at James Cook University. She is interested in mental health in remote areas, youth at risk and age discrimination. |
Elaine Loh |
Elaine,
20, is studying Business and Law at the Charles Darwin University. Elaine is interested in sexual reproductive health, youth leadership and employment and education opportunities for young people. Elaine is a Northern Territory Government Scholarship holder and was a member of the Steering Committee for the Secondary Education Review in the NT. She is also active in the United National Youth Association in the NT. |
Kylie Oates |
Kylie,
19 is an Administration Officer with the Australian Government
Department of Education, Science and Training and is passionate
about improving educational opportunities for all young Indigenous
students. She is also interested in Indigenous health and activities for young people. |
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Ryan Crawford |
Ryan,
25, is the company director of The Edge Health and Fitness Centre
in Port Hedland and is interested in business opportunities and
training for young people. He is also interested in providing a diverse range of business opportunities for young people in regional areas and has been on the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce for three years. |
Rachel McKay |
Rachel,
15, is in Year 11 at St Brigid’s College, where she is studying
early childhood, business information technology and digital media. She is interested and passionate about issues affecting young Indigenous people in her community and the lack of education in regional areas. She has encountered many life-changing experiences for one so young and is a proud role model for others in her community. |
Varun Ghosh |
Varun,
18, is studying Law/Arts at the University of Western Australia. He is interested in youth education, substance abuse among young people and youth empowerment. Varun is the Chair of the UWA Guild and he plays cricket and hockey in his spare time. |
Jo Cinquina |
Jo,
20, is a youth worker and Christian leadership group leader. Through his direct interaction with young people, Jo would like to look at alcohol and drug abuse among teenagers, the relational needs of young people, and providing sufficient entertainment activities for young people. |
Adam Scott |
Adam,
16, is a Year 11 student at Como Secondary College in Perth. He is interested in exploring public education funding in Australia, the possibility of a unilateral education system, and the effects of disability on Australian families. |
Neal Griffiths |
Neal,
17, has recently completed studies at Swan Christian College. He was named Australian Young Citizen of the Year in the Chittering Region in 2002 and is interested in youth counselling, youth housing and youth activities. |
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Alan Wu |
Alan, 20, studys
at the University of Melbourne. He was born in China, fluent in
Mandarin, and deeply connected to the Chinese community in Australia. He is interested in sustainability and the environment, youth enterprise and leadership and young people and their transitions to independence. |
Elizabeth Trinh |
Elizabeth,
18, is studying Commerce at the University of Melbourne and is
a cadet at KPMG, a chartered accountancy firm. She is passionate about youth leadership, education and youth employment opportunities. She is a member of Lord Somer’s Camp and Power House, a not-for-profit organisation focussing on giving back to communities. |
Michael Josem |
Michael,
22, is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (Policy) at Monash University. He also works part-time as a Clubs Officer at the Monash University Student Union Caulfield. Michael is passionate about securing Australia’s economic future by promoting future economic developments. He also wants to protect Australia’s physical future by ensuring that necessary security initiatives are in place. |
Hilary Fisher |
Hilary,
21, has recently completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of
Creative Arts at the University of Melbourne. She is interested in youth diversity, education and leadership. Hilary is Deaf and has just started full-time work in the Victorian Government’s Graduate Recruitment Scheme. |
Rufi Yousuff |
Rufi,
22, is studying Science and Arts at the University of Melbourne.
She is interested in ensuring that issues associated with terrorism
do not potentially disillusion young Muslims in Australia. Rufi is also interested in exploring issues around democracy and youth participation. |
Vi Kieu |
Vi,
19, is studying medicine at the University of Melbourne. She is interested in cultural identity issues; young people having easier access and greater trust in medical care; and promoting awareness of mental health. |
Tim Stutt |
Tim,
19, is studying Commerce and Law at Monash University. He is interested in youth suicide and mental health, binge drinking and youth substance abuse, as well as education and employment opportunities for young people. |
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Will Bignell |
Will,
21, is studying Agricultural Science at the University of Tasmania. He is interested in sustainable agriculture, in particular, improving the general public’s knowledge about agriculture. Will is also passionate about youth entrepreneurship and encouraging more young people to become involved in primary production. |
Sarah Houston |
Sarah,
20, a university student from regional Tasmania, has a particular
interest in agriculture and environmental sustainability. Having faced the challenges of supporting people with mental illnesses, Sarah would like to promote education programs and support mechanisms to assist other young people who are experiencing mental illness. |
Joseph Pickett |
Joseph,
16, is a student at Launceston College. He is interested in employment and training opportunities for young people and is also passionate about youth participation and entertainment opportunities for youth in the arts. |
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Amanda Dodd |
Amanda
Dodd is a 24-year-old youth worker with the Central Burnett Youth
Service. Amanda grew up in rural Queensland, and is concerned about the lack of further education, training and employment options for school leavers in rural areas. |
Brad Chapman |
Brad,
20, is a young entrepreneur who is a managing director of a mortgage
brokering company. He also volunteers to a number of youth organisations and wants to examine youth input into foreign policy matters, promoting youth entrepreneurship and better money management among youth. Brad has a passionate concern for issues of global and social justice, especially those affecting young people. |
Alen O'Hran |
Alen,
23, is studying Business and Law at the Queensland University
of Technology (QUT), where he is also a senior student ambassador. He is interested in leadership, the impact of faith and values on leadership and youth poverty and homelessness. Alen is active in the Queensland ex-Yugoslav community and is a Sabbath School leader at Garden City Seventh Day Adventist Church in Brisbane. |
Carrol-Anne Baggow |
Carrol-Anne,
16, is a student at Pioneer State High School, where she was recently
elected Vice President of the Senior School Council. A proud Torres Strait Islander, Carrol-Anne achieved a Certificate I in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies through her local TAFE. She is interested in human rights, assisting young people in crisis, and education and employment opportunities for young people. |
Marita Akee |
Marita,
24, is studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Community Management
and Adult Education at the University of Technology, Sydney. In 2003, Marita received an Australia Day Award in the Cultural Division from the Townsville City Council. As a young Indigenous woman, Marita is interested in Indigenous youth affairs and Government policy. |
Samuel Goodwin |
Samuel,
22, is the immediate past president of RHINO, a student rural
health club of the National Rural Health Network. Having spent considerable time in rural and remote schools promoting rural health, Samuel would like to look at rural/remote and Indigenous health issues, as well as education and learning health strategies from other countries. |
Mark Loong |
Mark
Loong, 16, is a Year 11 student at A.B. Patterson College on the
Gold Coast. He also works as a casual sales assistant with a local
jewellery store. Mark is interested in expanding the rights of young Australians, as well as strengthening the links between youth councils and the various tiers of Government. |
Craig Porter |
Craig,
19, is passionate about addressing youth homelessness and the
housing shortage in his community. He is also interested in investigating the impact of an aging population in Tasmania. |
Liz Pohlmann |
Liz,
22, a mother of two, works full-time as a Mental Health Project
Officer with the Townsville Division of General Practice. She is also studying Psychology at the Central Queensland University. Liz is interested in the mental health of young people, young parents and youth housing and accommodation. |
Geoff Robins |
Geoff,
17, is a student at James Cook University. Geoff cares for his brother, who is affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He is a member of the Cairns Youth Orchestra and is interested in disability and medical research, alcohol abuse and mental health. |
Doug Robins |
Doug,
15, is a student at Smithfield State High school and is a sufferer
of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Doug is interested in Disability issues, in particular, support for and awareness of physical disability, genetic research and youth road fatalities. |
Kate Morioka |
Kate,
22, is studying Social Planning and Development at the University
of Queensland. She is the President of the United Nations Student Association at the University and is passionate about disability and aged care, youth participation and partnership and sustainable development. |
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Tracy Shields |
Tracy,
23, works for the Australian Government Department of Education,
Science and Training in the ACT. She is passionate about health issues affecting young people, and as part of the Roundtable, she would like to explore young people’s perceptions of health promotion campaigns. |
*For health and other reasons, some members have not produced a community project report.