Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group

Adriel is a first-year university student living in Metropolitan Victoria. He is Tamil and from Sri Lanka, coming to Australia as a refugee at a young age. He aspires to a career in healthcare and is passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people, especially for those from diverse backgrounds like he is.

Adriel only recently discovered his passion for youth advocacy while in his final years at high school and is interested in encouraging youth participation, even for those who think they have limited experience. Through participating in the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group, Adriel hopes to give back to his community while being able to collaborate with like-minded, enthusiastic individuals.

Emma is currently living in regional South Australia. Originally from a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory, Emma brings a perspective of remote living, self-reliance, and a strong sense of connection to community.

Emma believes the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group aligns with her own personal values and interests. Through involvement in the group, Emma wishes to be surrounded by young people who are inspired to achieve things in their communities.

Faaiza is currently in her final year of university studying a double degree in Law and Medical Science. Hailing from a diverse community in South-West Sydney, Faaiza is incredibly passionate about listening to and sharing the multitude of voices and opinions of young people, as she believes there is so much for us to learn through conversation and connection.

In her second year in the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group, Faaiza hopes to harness the strength and power of young people in Australia and empower communities to use their voices for action while continuing to engage in meaningful discussions with her fellow youth advisory group members.  In her spare time, Faaiza loves trying out different crafts, reading and coddling her cats!

Isabelle is passionate about advocating for opportunities for rural students. Having grown up in a small town in rural Victoria, Isabelle understands how important it is for young people to learn about and access opportunities within the wider world. Further, Isabelle hopes to see greater youth involvement within education and community.

Isabelle is beginning her first year of university and plans to continue to work alongside several youth organisations. She believes that young people can have powerful voice in shaping their own future and is committed to working with her peers to see this happen.  Isabelle was the 2024 Victorian VCE Leader of the Year, and the recipient of the Youth Visionary Award for her shire. She was 2024 member of the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group and is excited to continue the work of the group throughout 2025.

Jeremy is a proud Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjatjara man living in Adelaide on Kaurna country. Jeremy is in his final year of studying a double degree in International Relations and Arts, majoring in Indigenous Knowledges and Society at The University of Adelaide. Outside of studying, Jeremy volunteers at a youth drop-in centre as a mentor for at-risk young people.

Jeremy is passionate about community development and hopes that through participating in the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group, he will gain valuable experience working with other like-minded people. Jeremy wants to provide advice on how to engage young people in the community as their voices matter.

Joshua, a young carer, is a trailblazing advocate reshaping the landscape of young carer, disability, and health advocacy in Australia. Motivated by his personal caring journey and advocating for his medically-complex sister, Joshua has inspired and empowered thousands internationally through his insightful TEDx talk, the creation of a national medical sibling support group, compelling keynote speeches, school presentations, and national media appearances.

As an active member of national youth-related advisory groups in the social media safety, carer and health/disability spaces, Joshua exhibits an unrelenting drive to create transformative change for young people today and in future.

Kuba has lived in Tasmania for most of his life but last year moved to Canberra to study Law and Political Science at the Australian National University. Kuba is passionate about engaging young people in civics, and volunteers for UN Youth Australia and Youth Parliament. He also gave a TEDxYouth speech on how the Constitution fails young people.

He would like to see more civics education in high schools, especially in regional public schools, which are too often left behind. Kuba also adores wombats, especially those in the Cradle Mountain National Park, and is interested in parliamentary procedure.

Nairwng (She/Her) is currently living in the ACT as a Year 11 student.  She is a strong advocate for young people’s rights and participation in decision making, which led her to become an active member of the ACT Youth Advisory Council, join her school’s SRC and lead as a School Captain in 2024.

Outside of education, Nairwng is involved in the sports, arts and entertainment industries and is lucky enough to be able to hear the different experiences of young people from all backgrounds go through, shaping her own ideas and insights on various issues.  While she has been living in Australia for the past 11 years, Nairwng comes from a CALD migrant background, having moved from Bangladesh at a young age. Because of this, she has a strong understanding of the detrimental impact a lack of connection with youth can have on communities.

With her contribution to the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group, Nairwng strives to develop young Australians’ understanding and involvement in important decision-making.

Tenason is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts at James Cook University in Townsville. He is also studying for a Diploma in Business (Leadership). He has been a Justice of the Peace in Queensland since 2023 and was the 2024 Youth Member for Thuringowa and the 2024 Youth Minister for Justice, Police, Community Safety and Correctional Services in the Queensland Youth Parliament.

Tenason is a member of the Volunteering North Queensland Management Committee, winner of the 2022 Collabs Road Safety Challenge with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, 2024 Young Citizen of the Year (Townsville), and a Cricket Umpire. He is a proud Jawoyn man, living on Wulgurukaba and Bindal land.

Tully is going into her final year of high school and hopes to use her unique lived experiences to make Australia a better place for young people. Tully lives by the philosophy that everything is political and knows that young people deserve a bigger place at the table.

When she’s not advocating, you can find her at the sticker shop where she works, annoying people with emails or reading what her sister would describe as “boring political books”.