Young people are making a big difference to life all over our state. Here are some young Victorians — all in their teens or twenties — who are creating change in lots of different ways:
The Koorie Youth Council gives young Indigenous Victorians a voice in government decisions, an opportunity to express themselves – and an opportunity to get together and have fun.
Jessica Barlow set up the Brainwash Project as a response to magazines that publish photo-shopped images. She created a new magazine for teenage girls, which involved over 100 volunteer writers, photographers and artists.
Moreland City Council’s Oxygen Committee created a number of youth-led events in their area, and developed Moreland’s first youth facility.
Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) members created ‘Teach the Teacher’, a school-based professional development program for teachers, led by students.
Will Austin started R U Ok? Community Conversations, an Indigenous youth-led campaign to encourage positive and meaningful conversations between friends, families and community members.
Mariah Kennedy compiled the book, Reaching Out: Messages of Hope, which raises money for UNICEF Australia.
Thom Woodroofe launched Left Right Think Tank, Australia's first independent and non-partisan policy ‘think tank’ for young people.
Luke Owens set up Bendigo for Homeless Youth to raise money to support homeless young people.
Georgia Retallick, started the Y-House Foundation to provide long term housing for young people with physical disabilities, so they don’t have to live in aged care facilities.
Victorian high school students are reducing homophobia and transphobia in their schools through Stand Out - a project between Minus18 and Safe Schools Coalition.
Sahema Saberi is a refugee from Afghanistan who migrated to Australia in 2005. She has volunteered throughout her community and uses her five languages to help support migrant families.
Oussama Abouzied and Joel Kuperholz co-foudned the MUJU Peace Club, uniting Muslims and Jews in a competitive round of footy.
IMARA Advocacy is a group of young people who jointly organised a People's Hearing into Racism & Policing with Flemington & Kensington Community Legal Centre.
Got some inspiration now, but not sure where to start? No stress, Yerp has all of the info and advice you need to start making change, too – just keep reading.* By featuring the people and organisations above, we're not recommending or endorsing them. Please read the Yerp disclaimer for more info.
Do you know more young Victorians who should be included in Yerp? Please email us! :)
Getting involved is getting active. Take action to be part of something meaningful. Or just hang out to meet new people and learn…
