What was your first ever job?
My first job was packing orders and labelling wellness products in my family’s business. It gave me an early look into how small businesses run and showed me how important it is to be reliable as well as to pay attention to the little things. What made it meaningful, though, was knowing I was part of something that could genuinely make a positive difference in someone’s life.
How did you go from there to here?
After working in the family business for a while, I gradually found myself drawn to helping others in the community. I got involved in community leadership through the Logan Youth Action Group (LYAG) and started volunteering by helping with community gardens, supporting local events like LEAF and Youth Shine, and co-planning youth employment workshops. Eventually, I led a project with the LYAG team to create a digital guide to help seniors navigate technology which received national coverage on Channel 9 and is now available in libraries across Logan. That experience really shaped my love for supporting my community and advocating for what I believe in. It gave me the confidence to step into larger leadership roles, like representing Waterford in the YMCA Youth Parliament and now contributing as part of the NYEB Youth Advisory Board. I am excited to have the chance to play a part in shaping opportunities for young people to build meaningful and sustainable careers.
What’s something different about your local community?
Logan City is a vibrant and diverse community, and what stands out most to me is how much people genuinely care. Whether it’s a multicultural festival, a youth initiative, or a local clean-up, there’s a strong sense of connection and pride. Young people here aren’t just on the sidelines; we’re leading change, and I am proud to be part of a community where youth voices are valued and empowered to make a real difference.
What’s a tip for someone trying to do what you’re doing?
Don’t wait until you feel “ready”, just start. Get involved in something small, volunteer for a cause that matters to you, and speak up even if your voice shakes. So many of the opportunities I have now are because I simply showed up and said yes. You don’t need to have it all figured out, just be open to learning and trust yourself; your voice matters.
What do you want to learn next?
I’m really looking forward to learning from the other young people on the board, hearing about what’s happening in their communities and seeing how we can support each other across the country. I also want to learn more about youth advocacy, governance, and how we can influence real change at a policy level while staying true to our lived experiences.
Our Youth Advisory Board brings together young people who are invested in their local community and care about improving opportunities for young people from the eight communities in which Community Investment Committees operate. YAB members provide strategic guidance on how the NYEB can work towards its mission, advice on opportunities to strengthen youth voice across the NYEB and on advocacy and policy change.