Youth Reference Group

Member Profiles 2006/2007

Cassandra Devine:
Cassandra is a part-time yogateacher and full-time student of Media Communications/Public Policy & Management at the University of Melbourne. As the South Metropolitan editor for the State Government-sponsored Youth Central website, she is passionate about young people having a say at the local and national level.

She is also a long-time volunteer at the International Conflict Resolution Centre, working on projects in areas such as refugee mental health, peace education and alternative dispute resolution. At present she is frantically organising her visit to Timor Leste (East Timor) over summer, where she plans to do research into traditional justice and dispute settlement in the Asia-Pacific region.

She is keen to work with the Youth Affairs Council on mental health and anti-bullying projects. In particular, Cassandra is interested in anti-bullying and peer mediation initiatives in schools and universities, and in the link between meditation, exercise and wellbeing. Cassandra was recently told that she is too argumentative, however she assured her friend (very strongly!) that this isn't true.

Jessica De Mercurio:
Bio to come..

Nicholas Kimberly:
I have an interest in journalism, drama, the environment and politics.

I have recently received an award for Services to the Environmental Action Group. It was a true honour to accept it.

In 2007 I will be in year nine at Flora Hill Secondary College in Bendigo.

This is my first year on the youth reference group and I’m so excited.

Dani Kline:
I have been heavily involved in my local community with a number of youth programs and committee's in Bendigo.

I recently won the Young People's Participation Award at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards. It was a shock but a true reward for the work that I have put in over the past 4 years.

I am currently studying a Freelance Journalism Course by correspondence through Thomson Education and will be starting a degree in Social Work and Human Services at LaTrobe Uni, Bendigo in 2007. Can't wait!

I am looking forward to working with the new YRG in '07!

Leah Parente:
Bio to come..

Ian Richardson
Bio to come..

Lucas Ryan:

Lucas is in his final year of schooling at Aitken College, a northern suburbs private school and his studies are focussed on subjects in Language
and the Arts. He works casually as a customer service administrator, known colloquially as a “scan man”.

In 2006 he attended the National UniSummit, where his passion for advocacy was ignited. He is a member of the VicSRC executive board and his areas of interest in the youth sector are participation and advocacy, equality and education.

This is his first term of service with the Youth Reference Group and he looks forward to fulfilling the role of Secretary.

Diana Sandulache:
Bio to come..

Calvin Hing-Lung Tsang:
A generally well rounded person, likes to be concerned about the environment, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex issues and general welfare of youth in society. Believes in a healthy society. Whinging and batteries are not included. Is currently working happily unlike the duracell bunny for the Greens and the CHP. Hoping to establish less homelessness and discrimination of any kind.

Chris Varney (Young Media Spokesperson):
19 year old Chris Varney has worked on youth committees for seven years and is the Young Media Spokesperson for the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.Since late 2003 he has had an active role with YACVic, having been on its Youth Reference Group and participated in its 2004 conference Fringe Benefits?

Chris is Vice-Chairman of World Vision’s youth movement, Vision Generation and has traveled to Tanzania as a World Vision Youth Ambassador. Most recently he convened Vision Generation's National Youth Summit. He has also been involved in the Victorian Student Representative Council, the United Nations Youth Association, Youth Week Victoria and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

Chris attended Wantirna College and RMIT TAFE during his high school years, and is currently studying Arts/Law at Monash University.

Maree Wilson:
Bio to come