2025 Youth Advisory Council
In 2025, Telstra Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (the Council) brings together a diverse group of young people aged 12 to 18 from across Australia.
2025 overview
Our 2025 Youth Advisory Council reflects the rich diversity of young Australians – spanning regional and remote communities, First Nations young people, culturally diverse backgrounds, neurodivergence, disability, lived experiences of mental health challenges, caregiving roles, and identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Meet the 2025 Youth Advisory Council
Abbey (18)
(she/her)
Abbey is passionate about equal rights and leveling the playing field for people during their education by enabling different evaluation pathways and the use of technology. Abbey enjoys the gift of dyslexia which enables her to think creatively and see the world from a different perspective.
Aditya (15)
(he/him)
Adi lives in the online world and believes in the bright future of the digital space and advocates for everyone to take part in the digital revolution that is currently happening. Adi’s skills and interests include sports, games, business, trading, leadership, digital design & writing.
Alex (16)
(he/him)
Basketball, animation, competitive debating, and technology are Alex’s jam. Whether Alex is sinking hoops on the court, diving into the world of animation, engaging in heated debates, or tinkering with the latest gadgets, he is always fuelled by passion and curiosity.
Ameeran (15)
(she/her)
I am a young leader who has experience in public speaking, advocacy, and youth engagement. I love organising and facilitating events, love public speaking and understand the importance of digital technology in modern advocacy. I aspire to attend Harvard Law School.
Arabelle (16)
(she/her)
Arabelle is currently in her final year of high school. She has a passion for making jewellery using wire wrapping, enamelling and resin techniques. She loves public speaking and using her voice to make a difference in her community through her involvement in the Townsville Youth Council. She hopes to help ensure that digital platforms are positive and safe spaces for all that use them.
Bailey (16)
(he/him)
Bailey is passionate about making a positive difference for young people, through mental health and youth advocacy. He uses his personal experience with mental health to drive action. He is proud to have worked with his local shire councils, youth organisations and schools to make change throughout his community.
Chloe (16)
(she/her)
Hi! My name is Chloe, I’m an eldest sister who loves to learn. I’m passionate about women in STEM and love reading whenever I can. I have a chronic illness (POTS) and would love to advocate for young people whose symptoms are dismissed and live with or without formal diagnosis. I’m a Medics Sargent in Cadets, mainly because I love looking after people and dealing with all things organizing and scheduling”
Cohan (16)
(he/him)
Cohan is an advocate in the disability space, firmly believing that everyone should have access to the digital world, regardless of ability. He loves technology and is always looking for the latest innovations and creations in the digital world.
Dakota (17)
(she/her)
I am an artsy person who loves the environment, painting, drawing, and music. Most of my time is spent playing guitar or piano and learning the songs I love to listen to. There’s a great sense of accomplishment that comes with being able to play along with my favourite songs!
I am passionate about law and hope to eventually study to be a lawyer. I am also passionate about ensuring education is easily accessible to all, especially in the realms of digital literacy.
Elodie (13)
(he/they/she)
Elodie’s time online is made up of digital drawing, gaming, chatting with cool people and watching silly cartoons. What matters to Elodie most is equity, protection against bullying, queer rights, and the environment.
Eshan (12)
(he/him)
Eshan is a young and passionate person who loves everything about the digital world. He is someone who is super enthusiastic about cars and loves playing on his playstation. Eshan is also very passionate about nature, he would drive for hours and hours just to find the most beautiful view of the sunrise/sunset.
Isaac (14)
(he/him)
Isaac lives in the Pilbara and is a proud Ngarluma boy. Issac joined the Youth Advisory Council because he really cares about kids his age in the Pilbara – he wants to make sure their voices are heard, and their needs are met. Isaac is highly connected to his culture and community thanks to his elders. Isaac loves sport and technology, and he is eager to learn and make things better. Isaac believes that we should teach kids cool stuff like coding, digital art and how to stay safe online – but it’s important to have fun and hang out online too.
Jasmine (15)
(she/her)
I’m Jasmine, proud Cabrogal Dharug woman and School Vice Captain with a need for speed—I’m obsessed with F1 and F2! When I’m not cheering on my favourite drivers, you’ll find me at the beach, hanging out with my friends, or dreaming about my next travel adventure (ideally somewhere I can live one day!)
Lavanya (17)
(she/her)
Lavanya is a passionate individual who values making change and trying new things. Whether this be from being brave and trying a new ice cream flavor to being apart of her local youth committee and making a difference in her community.
Lilly (14)
I am a passionate reader, enjoy public speaking and love building Lego! I played on a field hocky team for 9 years and have been participating in CrossFit for as long as I can remember.
Micah (14)
(he/she/they/any)
Micah is a game designer collaborating with both local and international partners to deliver compelling competitive experiences to millions of players worldwide. As a community builder, Micah connects people across distances while empowering youth with entrepreneurial skills through virtual marketplace opportunities. Additionally, Micah works as a full-stack developer, creating and sharing innovative personal projects with a global audience.
Nicola (15)
(she/her)
My hobbies include field hockey and online gaming. I’m a passionate flautist and love organising social activities bringing friends from different areas of my life together. It’s my aspiration to use my voice to advocate online safety for all young people.
Patrick (12)
(he/him)
I have ADHD and I like playing the drums. I’m also a chatterbox and I like sharing ideas, telling jokes and making people laugh. And I love soccer, Lego and playing on my iPad.
Raghu (16)
(he/him)
Hey! I’m Raghu. What matters to me most is making sure that young people have a say in matters that directly affect us! I am passionate in driving positive change in areas like digital safety, mental health and youth representation. In my off time, you’ll find me curled up with a good book or trying new places around the Adelaide food scene!
Rispah (17)
(she/her)
Rispah is in her second year of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and her favourite subject at school is sports science. At school Rispah participates in co-curricular activities such as house debating, event photography, and being vice president of the student advisory tech committee.
Samuel (15)
(he/him)
Samuel is a keen fisherman and loves it with all his heart. Fishing for him is like art or reading for others, it’s what he does whenever he can to relax. Sam had the opportunity to go to an online school where everything was digital, from class to lunch meetings to handwriting. Sam became the year level representative at this school.
Sienna (17)
(she/her)
Sienna is a year 12 student with a passion for youth advocacy and civic engagement. She is an executive member of the SA Youth forum, and spends her free time reading and listening to music!
Willem (17)
I am a curious thinker – I listen carefully – and speak when it matters. I care about equity, social progress, and how creative thinking, innovation and technology can help solve complex problems. I value purpose over noise – and ideas that lead somewhere real.
