Meet the Involve Committee

The Involve Commitee members with Minister Ryan Smith

On 20 January 2012, the Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith, announced the inaugural members of the Victorian Government’s new Involve Youth Ministerial Advisory Committee.

"The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to hearing the voices of regional and metropolitan young people aged 12-25," Mr. Smith said. "That's why the make-up of the Committee ensures there are two representatives from every region in Victoria, one aged between 12-17 and one aged between 18-25."

Involve will play a critical role in informing the Victorian Government about the issues of importance to young people and Victorian communities. As Minister for Youth Affairs, I will ensure this advice helps drive the Victorian Government’s policy direction in supporting young Victorians.

"I thank the many talented young people who applied to be a part of the Committee and congratulate our new members of Involve," Mr Smith said.

Meet the Involve Committee

A full list of Involve Committee members is availiable as a Word Document (.doc 65kb) and listed below. For more information and to keep up-to-date on the activities of the Involve Committee, see our Involve page.

Michelle

Michelle is 19 years old, was born in Australia, and has Armenian and Syriac heritage. She works full-time as a tax cadet and is studying commerce at university. She lives in the Northern Metropolitan region. Michelle volunteers with the Centre for Multicultural Youth and has been involved with the Australian Business Community Network.

Nicholas

Nicholas is a 19-year-old student who is completing a degree in Arts. He grew up in Bendigo and moved to Melbourne in 2011. He is now living in the Eastern Metropolitan region. He is heavily interested in reducing disadvantage in the community. Nicholas has been involved in the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria's Youth Reference Group for five years and has been involved in a range of other projects, tackling issues such as youth homelessness, climate change and the cost of university for rural and regional students. During his term on the Involve Committee Nicholas hopes to bring the voices of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria and its members to the table, as well as looking at long-term planning for issues relating to youth affairs.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is 21 years old, from Regional Western Victoria, and currently works full time at the Hume City Council in a temporary administration role. She has studied criminal justice at university and has a strong interest in youth crime, diversion and law reform. Elizabeth has participated in Duke of Edinburgh Award activities and has a history of sporting achievement in sailing.

Jack Q

Jack is a 12-year-old student who lives on a farm near a small country town in Regional Western Victoria. Jack is passionate about his rural community and would like to advocate for young people in his local community. He is interested in making sure young people in rural Victoria have the same opportunities and community resources as other Victorians who live in bigger towns and cities. Jack is a middle years captain at his school and has volunteered with his local Landcare group. He is very proud to be part of the Involve Committee. Jack plays hockey and likes to go to the Grampians for walks. He also loves to play his trumpet loud.

Melissa

Melissa is a 21-year-old who lives in Regional Northern Victoria. She works full time as a legal assistant at a law firm and is also studying law part-time at university by distance education. She is passionate about the growth of her small country town and wants to support young people to stay in regional towns. Melissa has volunteered with Campaspe Youth Council and has helped organise FReeZA events.

Jack C

Jack is a 16-year-old student who lives in the Southern Metropolitan region and is interested in becoming a politician. Jack also works part-time in the hospitality industry and plays the saxophone in various bands. He is a member of the Boroondara Young Leaders program, which involves running events and fundraising. He is concerned about the perceptions of young people and about youth homelessness. Jack would like to integrate his ideas and opinions with those of the other young people within the committee. He hopes that, together, the young people of Victoria can have a far larger and more important contribution to the community.

Najd

Najd is a 17-year-old school student who lives in the South Eastern Metropolitan region and is of Afghan heritage. Najd is passionate about advocating for young people from diverse backgrounds to make the most of all the opportunities available to them. She is also interested in helping them adjust to the new society and cultures within Australia. Najd has taken part in the Australia Day Study Tour Award through the City of Casey Youth Services and has also participated in Youth Parliament Victoria.

Nathan

Nathan is 23 years old, from Regional Eastern Victoria and comes to the Involve Committee with over a decade’s worth of experience in both local and national committees. While completing his Ph.D in Business and Economics, Nathan works as a lecturer and tutor for Monash University. He has also written academic research papers on youth engagement and youth leadership development. Nathan’s passions lie in providing high quality education for all young people and engaging and empowering young people within their local and wider communities. Nathan has volunteered with a number of organisations, including the South Gippsland Youth Council, FReeZA, OakTree Foundation, the National Student Leadership Forum, Brightest Young Minds and the National Leadership Camp.

Zac

Zac is a 16-year-old school student from the Eastern Metropolitan region who has a keen interest in sports, in particular football and cricket. Zac is the President of the Yarra Junior Football League Youth Committee. Zac believes recreational activity is a way of building people's mental and physical well-being. Zac has also been involved in charity fundraising for World Vision.

Anthony

Anthony is a 21-year-old TAFE student who lives in the Eastern Metropolitan region and is currently studying tourism and event management. Anthony is passionate about public transport services, social housing, urban design, city planning, mental health and issues affecting same sex attracted young people. He is deeply committed to his community and advocating for issues affecting young people. Anthony has been involved in events like the Melbourne Zombie Shuffle - he currently sits on the executive committee of Humans vs Zombies Victoria as the Organisation Secretary. He's excited to serve young people in his role on Involve.

Laura

Laura is a 19-year-old university student from the Northern Metropolitan region who is studying a degree in media communications, undertaking a Certificate III in retail while working part-time. Laura has previoiusly been a roving reporter for Youth Cenral and has a keen interest in environmental sustainability, education, youth mental health and social justice.

Michael

Michael is a 20-year-old university student from the Western Metropolitan region who is studying Information Technology. Michael has been involved in Youth Parliament, the State Emergency Service, presentations about being a young carer and mentoring new students undertaking the same course at university. Michael is passionate about the need for support and funding for people with a disability and their carers.

Monica

Monica is a 16-year-old school student from the Northern Metropolitan region who is a member of the ROTARY International Interact group, where she is working on a project for local primary schools and projects based in Papua New Guinea. She has also been involved in fundraising in her local school for rural communities in Vietnam and Cambodia. Monica hopes to help contribute to her local and wider community during her time on the Involve Committee.

Guillaume

Guillaume is 18 years old and was born in the Eastern African State of Burundi. He and his family were forced to leave Burundi in 2000 and spent the next 10 years in a refugee camp in Tanzania. In 2010 he moved to Australia and now lives in the Southern Eastern Metropolitan region of Victoria. Since arriving in Victoria, Guillaume has volunteered with Dandenong Youth Services Young Leaders Program and has assisted in implementing three local youth-led projects. He is currently studying for his VCE and is particularly passionate about human rights, promoting anti-discrimination, and hopes to work specifically in child protection.

Anna

Anna is a 13-year-old school student from Regional Northern Victoria. She is passionate about preventing bullying, especially in the middle school years, and wants to help young people who experience bullying. Anna is also interested in involving young people in art and would like to help kids who care for parents with depression and mental health, or experience it themselves. Anna volunteers in the Indigo Shire to run events. She sits on festival committees and helps out at the local hockey club. She also volunteers with her local Landcare group and is a member of 'yack arts', which organises events throughout Yackandandah.

Isobelle

Isobelle is a 16-year-old high school student who works casually in retail. She lives in Regional Eastern Victoria and is particularly interested in safety on public transport and in providing a positive space for young people to socialise. Isobelle is actively involved in Maroondah Youth Services, where she has volunteered in a number of programs including the Young Leaders Program and the Teenage Holiday Program.

Ellana

Ellana is a 17-year-old school student from the Western Metropolitan region. She has been involved in scouting and is passionate about human rights, the negative impact of drug and alcohol use and young people living in nursing homes.

Chantelle

Chantelle is a 21-year-old student from the Southern Metropolitan Region, who is currently studying a double degree in Science and Law. Chantelle has volunteered with The Oaktree Foundation, acted as Secretary for the Monash Jewish Students Society, and as a peer mentor for the Monash Law Students Society. Chantelle is particularly passionate about public health promotion as well as mental health issues affecting young people.

For more information on the Involve committee, check out www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/involve or call 9935 3009 during business hours.

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Meet the Involve Committee