- Natalie Falzon - Senior Manager Social Impact & Innovation, Telstra Foundation
In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, young people aren’t just users of technology — they are shaping its future. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the 2025 Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council: a group of young people committed to creating a future where technology is a force for connection, opportunity, and wellbeing.
Building on the momentum of our inaugural Youth Advisory Council, we welcomed an overwhelming number of applications from young people across Australia. This year’s council brings together a fresh mix of new members and returning members, each ready to help us reimagine what it means to thrive in a digital world.
Centring a diversity of perspectives
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.
This diversity is not just something we celebrate – it’s essential to our mission. It ensures that the ideas, programs, and strategies we build together truly reflect the breadth of experiences young people bring to their digital lives.
Thank you to our 2024 cohort
In welcoming our new council members, we also want to say a huge thank you to all the members of the 2024 council. We’re so grateful to our council members for showing up with honesty, courage, and curiosity – sharing their time, lived experiences, and bold perspectives, and we know they are going on to do great things!
Here’s some of what they said about their time on the Council:
“With so many exciting opportunities, the YAC never had a dull moment! My favourite memory was learning how to use our new vlogging kits and brainstorming content as a group. If you are someone that is keen on youth advocacy pertaining to technology and social media, then I highly recommend joining the Telstra Foundation YAC.” – Rispah, 17
“My name is Samuel Moran, resident of Queensland and proud member of the 2024 Youth Advisory Council. With the help of the Telstra foundation, me and many others have taken our life experiences and expertise to shape the 2024 Youth advisory council and the digital index. The Telstra foundation made this a reality and I want to thank them for the support this past year. The youth advisory council has been like a family to me. I strongly advise others to apply and join this amazing family as they will support you through everything and it is such a great opportunity.” – Samuel, 15
“The YAC was an incredible opportunity for me to express my opinions on topics that I had been yearning to talk about to others. In the YAC, I felt that my views were valued and my commitment was appreciated. I would definitely recommend young people to sign up for the YAC as it is a fun, and engaging experience that opened my eyes to the youth advisory career route. Also, having “Telstra” in your résumé is pretty impressive” – Adi, 15
“Being part of this diverse group of young people across Australia and having the amazing opportunity to advocate for youth in the digital world, sharing both my positive and negative online experiences to help shape a safer digital world, has been truly incredible. I’ve loved every moment of it and would highly recommend the experience.” – Bailey, 16
About the Telstra Foundation YAC
Our council members help us to gain a deeper understanding of how young people experience digital technology and its impact on their lives. The Council provides crucial feedback on our projects, helps us to develop innovative initiatives, and creates content that truly resonates with their peers. We look forward to sharing what they do throughout the year.
Our 2025 Youth Advisory Council
Ameeran (15) (she/her) is a young leader who has experience in public speaking, advocacy, and youth engagement. She loves organising and facilitating events, public speaking and understands the importance of digital technology in modern advocacy. She aspires to attend Harvard Law School.
Arabelle 16 (she/her), in her final year of high school, 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.
Chloe 16 (she/her), an eldest sister who loves to learn, is passionate about women in STEM and enjoys reading whenever she can. Living with a chronic illness (POTS), Chloe advocates for young people whose symptoms are dismissed, and she is a Medics Sergeant in Cadets, dedicated to looking after people and organizing activities.
Cohan 16 (he/him) 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 on the lookout for the latest innovations and creations in the digital world.
Dakota 17 (she/her) is an artsy person who loves the environment, painting, drawing, and music. Most of Dakota’s time is spent playing guitar or piano and learning favorite songs. Dakota is passionate about law and hopes to study to become a lawyer, advocating for accessible education, especially in digital literacy.
Eshan 12 (he/him) is a young and passionate individual who loves everything about the digital world. Enthusiastic about cars and nature, Eshan enjoys playing on his PlayStation and driving for hours to find the most beautiful views of the sunrise and sunset.
Jasmine 16 (she/her) is a proud Cabrogal Dharug woman and School Vice Captain with a need for speed, obsessed with F1 and F2. When not cheering on her favorite drivers, Jasmine enjoys the beach, hanging out with friends, and dreaming about future travel adventures.
Lavanya 17 (she/her) is a passionate individual who values making change and trying new things. Whether it’s trying a new ice cream flavour or being part of her local youth committee, Lavanya is dedicated to making a difference in her community.
Lilly 14 is a passionate reader who enjoys public speaking and building Lego. Having played on a field hockey team for nine years and participated in CrossFit for as long as she can remember, Lilly is always up for a challenge.
Micah 14 (he/she/they/any) is a game designer who collaborates 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 and empowers 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) balances her hobbies of field hockey and online gaming with her passion for playing the flute. She loves organizing social activities that bring friends from different areas of her life together. Nicola aspires to use her voice to advocate for online safety for all young people.
Patrick 12 (he/him) who has ADHD, loves playing the drums, sharing ideas, telling jokes, and making people laugh. He enjoys soccer, Lego, and playing on his iPad, always full of energy and creativity.
Raghu 16 (he/him) is passionate about ensuring that young people have a say in matters that directly affect them. He drives positive change in areas like digital safety, mental health, and youth representation. In his free time, Raghu enjoys curling up with a good book or exploring new places around the Adelaide food scene.
Sienna 17 (she/her) is a year 12 student with a passion for youth advocacy and civic engagement. As an executive member of the SA Youth Forum, she spends her free time reading and listening to music, always looking for ways to make a difference.
Willem (17) is a curious thinker who listens carefully and speaks when it matters. He cares about equity, social progress, and how creative thinking, innovation, and technology can help solve complex problems. Willem values purpose over noise, and ideas that lead to real change.
Returning council members
Abbey 18 (she/her) 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) 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.
Bailey 16 (he/him) is passionate about making a positive difference for young people through mental health and youth advocacy. Using his personal experience with mental health to drive action, Bailey has worked with local shire councils, youth organizations, and schools to create change in his community.
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.
Isaac 14 (he/him) 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.
Rispah 17 (she/her) 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) 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.
Powered by PROJECT ROCKIT
Telstra Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council is run in partnership with PROJECT ROCKIT – Australia’s youth-driven movement against bullying, hate, and prejudice – because of their deep expertise in youth engagement and empowerment.
