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Youth Advisory Group
Introducing our incredible Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disasters (the Centre).
The YAG is made up of 12 young people, aged 12-25 from across Victoria. They have various lived and living experiences, interests and passions for disaster resilience and climate justice and are strong advocates for young people having a seat at the table in decision making.
The YAG’s role
The YAG’s main duties are to provide input into the direction of the Centre and its various projects, as well as providing insights and updates on developments within their local communities.
There are also various opportunities to participate in the development and delivery of journal articles and conference presentations and opportunities to develop skills, such as chairing meetings and delivering presentations.
Background for the Centre of Excellence
Victoria University’s (VU) Youth and Community Research Group and Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) are partnering to establish the Centre.
The Centre champions the inclusion and active involvement of young people to contribute to all aspects of disasters.
Meet our YAG Below
Jordan (he/him)
Jordan is 13 years old and uses he/him pronouns. Jordan lives in Melbourne, Victoria. He is in Year 10, and in his spare time, loves gaming, writing stories, and spending time with friends and family.
Jordan has always been interested in mental health and how important it is for young people to feel listened to. He joined the Youth Advisory Group because he believes that young people should have a say in how services are designed for them.
Jordan is excited to work on projects that focus on making services more welcoming for young people. He looks forward to creating resources made by young people, for young people and thinks it’s important to help staff understand the kinds of things young people care about, so they can communicate better with them.
Jasper (he/him)
My name is Jasper (he/him), I am 16 and currently in Year 11. I live amongst the towering mountain ash trees and fern-filled gullies of Corhanwarrabul (Mt Dandenong) where I love being immersed in the beauty of the forest. I have grown up fully aware of the threat of bushfires, and more recently, the devastation of severe storms, such as that experienced by my community in the winter of 2021.
I’ve also learnt to appreciate the value of a strong, outgoing community, and evidence-based decision-making when preparing, responding and recovering from disasters. I’m looking forward to collaborating with other members of the Centre to establish pathways for a more diverse range of young people in Victoria to share their voices, whilst boosting opportunities for agency on issues that affect them including disasters.
Lucinda (she/her)
Lucinda (she/her) is 24 years old and is based in Naarm/Melbourne. With a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Business, she combines her technical expertise with a passion for sustainability and climate action. She is inspired to work with all sustainability, climate-action and capacity-building in young people.
Through her work with the Centre of Excellence, she aims to contribute to research efforts, develop programs, and foster youth involvement in disaster decision-making and management. As the effects of climate change intensify, young people find themselves on the precipice of a future shadowed by the escalating frequency and ferocity of climate-related natural disasters. It is essential that programs and strategies be crafted to empower young people, nurturing resilience and cultivating the capacity to respond—whether in the classroom, within their homes, or throughout their communities. Only through such preparation can they face these challenges with the strength and knowledge needed to navigate an uncertain future.
Adriel (he/him)
Adriel is from the west of Melbourne (Naarm) with a Sri Lankan Tamil background. Adriel (he/him) is a first-generation immigrant with a profound commitment to mental health, cultural identity, and social justice. He loves being outdoors, and finds it to be a great way to relax!
Adriel has actively engaged with various organisations, both local and national, contributing to initiatives focused on improving the well-being of young people. He believes in the power of lived experience and community engagement to create meaningful change. While on the Centre of Excellence Youth Advisory Group, he aims to make emergency services participation more accessible for young people, and increase community resilience, especially in times of crisis.
Billie (she/her)
Billie uses she/her pronouns and was brought to the YAG because someone at her local SES recommended it to her since she would have loved to but had just aged out.
Since Billie was 7, her dad was in the SES, and she had always been intertwined with that. Asking him about SES jobs.
After school she usually plays tennis or is swimming in her pool (but only in the summertime). On the weekends she usually plays tennis and watches her little brother, Robbie play soccer.
Edward (he/him)
Edward is a passionate 14-year-old youth advocate from Northeast Victoria. He is a proud member of the Rural City of Wangaratta Youth Council and a former participant in YACVic’s Future Proof program, where he contributed to strengthening youth involvement in disaster resilience and recovery.
Edward is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of young people in rural and regional communities, especially in the context of leadership and disaster preparedness. Outside of his advocacy work, he enjoys skiing and hiking in the Victorian Alps with his family.
Sarah (she/her)
Sarah (she/her), is a 21-year-old Film, Television and Animation student at Deakin University, based in Burwood, Victoria (Wurundjeri Country). Sarah is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and using creative media to spark connection and change.
Sarah joined the Youth Advisory Group because she believes young people have valuable insights to offer—particularly in areas like community resilience, disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and climate change. Sarah believes “as active citizens, we’re not just impacted by these challenges—we’re agents of change.”
Through the Centre of Excellence, she’s excited to explore how storytelling and media can engage and empower communities in meaningful ways.
Outside of her studies, Sarah enjoys working on collaborative, creative projects, including; a limited television series and music video shoots.
Rachel (she/her)
Rachel (she/her), is 20 years old and is from the Wodonga area, up on the VIC/NSW border.
Rachel has a wide variety of experience in the emergency management sector, starting from an early age. She currently holds a Diploma in Humanitarian Aid and Development, as well as other varied certifications relating to fire management, child safety and community safety. Rachel is currently studying a Cert 3 in Public Safety (Emergency Management), all while participating in her local CFA as her brigade's Youth Representative, and being an active member of her local council's YAG.
Rachel joined the YAG to meet likeminded young people who are interested in growing their future emergency management sector. She is very interested in the research and workshops available through this YAG, as well as fostering further learning and training opportunities for other aspiring young people.
Rachel is an avid equestrian and currently own two horses, Herbert and Oliver, who are her pride and joy. She competes in dressage and eventing (when she has the time) and also enjoys travelling, having recently visited the UK and has a month-long trip to Africa in October 2025.
Darcy (she/her)
Darcy is 16, turning 17 in June and her pronouns are she/her. Darcy lives in the Macedon Ranges, about an hour outside of Melbourne. Darcy volunteers with the SES and wants to bring attention to the needs not met by emergency services for youth and disabled persons. This is what brought her to the YAG. She is excited to work on many things with the YAG, but most importantly bringing attention and awareness to disability, and disabled youth - whether it be in emergency situations or just in general. Something fun and interesting about Darcy is… she plays AFL for one of her local clubs, in the U18.5 team, and goes for Essendon when it comes to AFL.
Taihan (she/him)
Taihan is a Year 11 student living and learning in Melbourne’s west. Taihan is passionate about youth leadership and climate justice. His experience in youth advocacy has shown him the power of young voices, and that’s what inspired him to join the Youth Advisory Group.
He is excited for the Centre of Excellence to focus on prevention, not just response, and to empower young people with the tools and skills they need to lead change in their own communities. In his free time, Taihan loves reading books as well as watching and playing sports.