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Young people matter and that's why Youth Work Matters
YACVic is committed to elevating young people’s voices and participation in the decisions that affect them. This includes encouraging young people to engage meaningfully with political candidates, understanding policy platforms and sharing their concerns and hopes for their lives and futures.
As part of our Youth Work Matters campaign, YACVic is asking young people and political candidates to take part in “Young Voices Day” on Friday 7 October, where candidates will dedicate time to meeting with young people aged 12-25. Young people will have the opportunity to elevate their voices on the issues that are most important to them.
For young people
What does it involve?
Young people interested in meeting with your local candidates will need to first find out who your local candidates are, and then contact them to request a meeting. Once the meeting is secured you can plan what you want to talk about – it should be personal to you, and relevant to the young people in your community.
YACVic is offering free online training for you to participate. The first workshop will cover how to find out who your local candidates are and how to write to them to request a meeting. The second workshop will focus on how to prepare for the meeting.
You can attend as few or as many workshops as you would like.
- How to Contact Candidates: Tuesday 13 September, 5-6pm
- How to Contact Candidates: Wednesday 14 September, 5-6pm
- Preparing to Meet with Candidates: Thursday 29 September, 5-6pm
- Preparing to Meet with Candidates: Tuesday 4 October, 5-6pm
What will you get out of this opportunity?
This is an opportunity for you to share your experiences and ideas with people who may end up representing you in Victoria’s Parliament. Sharing your views directly with your local candidates, and hearing from them about their priorities, may also help you to decide who you wish to vote for in the upcoming election.
Register your interest now
If you think this sounds like a great opportunity, register your interest below so we can share some resources and tools to help you prepare.
Contact your local candidates
Ask a candidate to participate
Dear [Ms/Mr/Mx/Minister Name],
I am writing to request your participation in Young Voices Day on 7 October. Candidates around Victoria are signing up and committing to speaking with young people aged 12-25 on 7 October to hear what matters to us ahead of the state election.
As a young person in your electorate, I would like to see your commitment to young people and engaging in two-way conversation with us. If you participate, I would like to discuss [suggest some topic/s you are interested in] with you.
You can register your participation now and also find more information on YACVic's website about getting involved.
Kind regards,
[your name]
Request a meeting with a candidate
Dear [Ms/Mr/Mx/Minister Name],
I am writing to request a meeting with you to discuss [add some detail about what you want to talk about].
I want to talk about how the Victorian Government can implement a long-term plan to support young people in [add some detail here about your topic].
Could you please advise a suitable time to meet [on Zoom, pm Teams or in-person],[suggest some dates and times that suit you].
Kind regards,
[your name]
For candidates
What does it involve?
As candidates, you will commit to setting aside time on 7 October to meet exclusively with young constituents aged 12-25. You may choose to host young people in your electorate office, visit a local youth organisation, set up a presence at a local community centre, or schedule online meetings with young people. We encourage candidates to consider what will work best for you and the young people in your area, but are happy to provide some guidance if required.
What will you get out of this opportunity?
Every young person deserves an opportunity to share what’s most important to them. By taking part in Young Voices Day, you will be showing your young constituents that you care about what they have to say, and encouraging them to participate in democracy and engage in important conversations.
Register your interest now
If you think this sounds like a great opportunity for you, register your interest below so we can let young people know you are participating in Young Voices Day, and provide you with material to promote your participation.
Which candidates have signed up so far?
Meet the candidates who have signed up
Not sure who’s running for your area? Find your electorate here. (Remember, the electorates for the Victorian state election are different to those you voted in for the federal election.)
Labor
-
Katie Hall, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and MP for Footscray
- Lucy Skelton, Candidate for Kew
- Hutch Hussein, Candidate for Polwarth
- Juliana Addison, Member for Wendouree
- Maree Edwards, Member for Bendigo West
- Bronwyn Halfpenny, Member for Thomastown
- Michaela Settle, Member for Buninyong (renamed to Eureka)
- Anthony Cianflone, Candidate for Pascoe Vale
- Mannie Kaur Verma, Candidate for Rowville
- Mike Williams, Candidate for Brunswick
Liberal
-
Matt Bach, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Member for Eastern Metro Region
- David Southwick, Member for Caulfield, Deputy Liberal Leader
- Louise Staley, Member for Ripon
- Brad Rowswell, MP for Sandringham
- James Newbury, MP for Brighton
- Roma Britnell, Member for South West Coast
- Bill Tilley, Member for Benambra
- Neil Angus, Member for Forest Hill/Candidate for Glen Waverley
- Lauren Sherson, Candidate for Albert Park
- Angela Newhouse, Candidate for Point Cook
- Timothy Dragan, Candidate for Narre Warren North
- Nicole Ta-Ei Werner, Candidate for Box Hill
- Brad Hearn, Candidate for Euroa
- Jason McClintock, Candidate for Eltham
- Chris Crewther, Candidate for Mornington
- Graham Watt, Candidate for Melton
- Jess Wilson, Candidate for Kew
- Baris Duzova, Candidate for Broadmeadows
- Cheryl Hammer, Candidate for Shepparton
Greens
-
Sam Hibbins, Spokesperson for Youth, MP for Prahran
-
Samantha Ratnam, Leader of the Victorian Greens, Member for Northern Metro Region
-
Dr Tim Read, MP for Brunswick
-
Mat Morgan, Candidate for Eastern Victoria
-
Gabrielle De Vietri, Candidate for Richmond
-
Sarah Mansfield, Candidate for Western Victoria
- Bernadette Thomas, Candidate for Western Metro Region
- Campbell Gome, Candidate for Northcote
- Katherine Copsey, Candidate for Southern Metro Region
- Rochelle Hine, Candidate for Morwell
- Aiv Puglielli, Candidate for North-Eastern Metro Region
- Alex Breskin, Candidate for South-Eastern Metro Region
- Sam McColl, Candidate for Eureka
- Dr. Cate Sinclair, Candidate for Northern Victoria
- Joanne Shan, Candidate for Box Hill
- Marley McRae McLeod, Candidate for Macedon
Reason Party
- Ethan Mileikowski on behalf of Fiona Patten, Reason Party Leader, Member for Northern Metro Region
Animal Justice Party
- Meg Watkins, Candidate for Western Metro Region
-
Vyonne McLelland-Howe, Candidate for Bendigo East
- Jacinta Anderson, Candidate for South West Coast
- Shannon Meilak, Candidate for Niddrie
- Gwynne Brennan, Candidate for Cranbourne
- Austin Cram, Candidate for Eastern Victoria Region
- Georgie Purcell, Candidate for Northern Victoria Region
- Asher Myerson, Candidate for Caulfield
- Rachel Lamarche, Candidate for Brunswick
- Fiona Adin-James, Candidate for Melton
- Chris Delforce, Candidate for North Eastern Metro Region
- Angylina Zayn, Candidate for Mildura
- Bronwyn Currie, Candidate for South Eastern Metro Region
- Andrew Klop, Candidate for Dandenong
National Party
- Jade Benham, Candidate for Mildura
Transport Matters Party
- Norm Dunn, Member for South Eastern Metro Region
Democratic Labor Party
Victorian Socialists
- Liz Walsh, Candidate for Western Metro Region
Independents
- Dr Catherine Cumming, Member for Western Metro Region
- Jacqui Hawkins, Candidate for Benambra
- Dr Kate Lardner, Candidate for Mornington
- Carol Altmann, Candidate for South West Coast
Access and Inclusion
At YACVic, we take access and inclusion seriously. We are committed to making every event as accessible and inclusive as possible for all members of our community. If you have a specific access request, would like further information or want to provide any suggestions, we would love to hear from you.
For young people, there is a space on the training application form to include your access and/or support requirements, including any language or translation support.
For candidates, we encourage you to think about access and inclusion, and cultural safety, as you arrange meetings with young people on Young Voices Day.
Our work takes place through the lands of the Aboriginal nations within Victoria and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge that Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
Contact Us
For any questions, concerns or support please contact Julia Baron (she/her), YACVic Policy and Advocacy Manager on 0400 027 400 or via policy@yacvic.org.au.
Privacy & confidentiality
Your information will be stored in a secure location that is only accessible to those staff working on this project. In filling out the form, you consent to being sent emails regarding Young Voices Day by YACVic.
Commitment to Child Safety
YACVic is a child safe organisation. By attending these events, you agree to join us in our commitment to child safety.