Working partners: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
About
Members work with DEWR to provide advice and share experience on career information.
They also work the AIATSIS on programs and policies administered by their agency that are benefitted by the input of First Nations Young People.
This includes advising on 2025 AIATSIS Youth Forum on Larrakia Country (Darwin) among other initiatives.
Members
Aston is a proud Wiradjuri/Ngemba man who lives and learns on Gubbi Gubbi Country. He has represented as an Indigenous Leader at his school and has participated in many programs including the Nation Indigenous Business Summer School (2022, 2023 and 2024), the Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School 2023, the Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council and the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leaders Program.
By participating in these programs, Aston is working towards his goal improving the lives of others through learning what is to be a leader, how to lead, building connections to make change and the will to be the start of that change.
As a member of the Advisory Group, Aston hopes to achieve new connections with his peers and work together towards solutions to problems, no matter what they are, to uplift both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of Australia.
Bianca is a 22-year-old Palawa woman who is proud to live on Palawa Country in Lutruwita/Tasmania. She is currently studying to be an Aboriginal Health Worker. Bianca hopes to be the voice for all young mob across the nation and to advocate for the quiet voices who may not always have the confidence to voice their great ideas and opinions.
Bianca is passionate about ensuring all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have only the best start to their lives with all their needs met. This will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with the best possible start to their school life and education and set them up for better success in life. Bianca wants to be the voice for future generations to come. Our youth are our future.
Hailey is a proud Wiradjuri woman, raised in the small town of Bourke before moving to Forster on the Mid-North Coast, she is currently studying while working at an ice cream shop and enjoying the change of scenery. Hailey is focused on learning how policies are created, who is involved, and how these processes impact people's daily lives.
Hailey hopes her involvement in the Advisory Group will expose her to a more professional attitude and structure as well as furthering her understanding of how she can have a positive influence within her community.
Jindara is currently working with Beyond the Bell. Jindara is eager to build meaningful connections, foster new relationships, and engage in enjoyable experience that contribute to both personal and professional growth.
Jindara wants to explore and learn more about Aboriginal culture, to spread awareness to help close the gap and ensure youth voices are heard.
Kelsee is a proud Whadjuk Ballardong Noongar yorga (woman) with connections to Wilman and Yued Country through her Father and a Barkandjii Ngiyampaa woman through her Mother. She lives in beautiful Boorloo (Perth) and works within the City of Melville as a First Nations Community Development Officer.
Kelsee’s journey exemplifies a dedication to personal growth and community impact. Through her completion of the Emerging Leaders program through Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership institute (WAALI), her role as Miss NAIDOC Perth 2024, and her recent graduation from the Yorga Djenna Bidi program (also through WAALI), Kelsee has cultivated a strong sense of identity and purpose.
These transformative experiences have fuelled her passion for uplifting First Nations communities, with a focus on ensuring that youth voices are heard and valued. Her commitment reflects a vision to create meaningful opportunities that celebrate and empower First Nations perspectives, fostering a future of inclusivity and representation.
Within the First Nations Youth Advisory group, Kelsee hopes to make sure First Nations Youth voices are heard and recognised, gain knowledge and create connections with other likeminded Mob and Elders.
Matilda is a proud Muruwari and Ngemba woman, who was born on Larrakia lands, and has lived on Kaurna lands most of her life. She is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts at Flinders University with a focus on Indigenous Studies and Politics, while also balancing working as a Student Ambassador. Additionally, she is a Congress Champion within the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC).
For her previous work in senior school leadership regarding First Nations education she received the Muriel Matters Award 2023, an Order of Australia Association Student Citizen Award in 2023, and the Ampol Best all Rounder award 2023.
Tilly is really passionate about First Nations education and curriculum because she sees how much difficulty Indigenous Peoples go through in the education system. She believes that the key to national change is in federal policy and she thinks there is a fundamental failing in Australia between what First Nations People experience and what non-Indigenous people are exposed to, and that education spaces are a big way to bridge this gap.
Ramon has dedicated much of his adult life to advancing Indigenous and First Nations affairs, particularly in education and employment. As an Indigenous man, he has witnessed firsthand the critical importance of equitable opportunities in these areas. Through his extensive engagement with local and national charities, Ramon has championed initiatives that support disadvantaged communities.
His life goal is to ensure that all Australians, regardless of their background, have equal access to quality education and meaningful employment opportunities.
Ramon is passionate about using his voice and platform within the Youth Advisory Group to drive impactful change and advocate for policies that promote inclusivity and fairness in the hopes of creating a better future.
Rikisha is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with roots in Saibai, Dauan, Mabuiag and Mer Islands, who currently calls Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country (Townsville) home.
As Program Support Officer for the Qld Office for Youth and fifth-year Law and Arts (Indigenous Studies) student at James Cook University (JCU), Rikisha champions human rights centred policy, First Nations education, youth empowerment, and strengthening local communities.
As a former contract law and Indigenous studies tutor, current JCU Indigenous Student Ambassador, member of various youth advisory councils, and devoted public speaker, Rikisha is passionate about learning, leadership, and community development.
Rikisha’s ultimate passion is to use her legal career and advocacy to help equip our Mob with the rights, resources, education, programs, and skills needed for self-determined futures.
Tremane comes from remote Western Australia and is passionate about making sure remote people are afforded the same opportunities to access a quality education. He is a passionate advocate for regional and remote Western Australians whereby he has received numerous accolades for his advocacy including:
Deputy Leader of Opposition in the WA Youth Parliament (Y WA Youth Parliament) 2024.
National Indigenous Times Community Leadership Award at the WA Young Achievers Award 2024.
“Abbey Forrest” Emerging Leader in the East Kimberley 2023.
He continues to give back to WA Young people and aspires to do more.