Auspire - Australia Day Council of Western Australia.

Youth Week WA is an annual celebration of young people in Western Australia. Occurring from 10 – 17 April 2025, this is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of our youth and encourage connection with other young people and broader society.

With this in mind, Auspire connected with a group of young people who are making contributions and commitments to their local community, so much so that they have been recognised in the 2025 Community Citizen of the Year Awards.

The Melville Youth Steering Group was formed in July 2022, following feedback from young community members to the City of Melville, that young people wanted to be more involved in planning and decision making.

With the aim that the group would “ensure the City’s work with young people is effective and valued…and hold the City to account for commitments”, the City of Melville’s Youth Team invited young people aged 16 to 25, from a wide diversity of the youth community, to apply to be a member. The inaugural members were selected, and the Melville Youth Steering Group was born.

With support from City of Melville staff, the group meets monthly to collaborate and share ideas. Since its creation, the group’s significant contributions have included the City’s youth Instagram account @MelvilleYouthCollective, where young adults can stay informed about the events and initiatives coming up, including the new Youth Market Day held in March – a completely new idea from the Youth Steering Group.

The group has a broad diversity of lived experience, ability, identity and interests, with individual connections to initiatives such as disability advocacy, LGBTQI+ and mental health projects. Together, they are able advocate on behalf of their peers to the local government, and make things happen.

“The group helps guide the City on accessibility for young people who may face barriers to participation,” adds a group spokesperson. “They are each strong advocates for accessibility and inclusivity, and use their involvement in the group to help improve the provision of the City events and services.”

As you would expect, the group has been heavily involved in the City’s events for Youth Week, which include a Culture Photo Walk and Audio Tour along the Jenna Biddi Yorga trail, and a two-day Learn to DJ Workshop.

For their contribution to events and the lifestyle of young people in Melville, the Youth Steering Group was given the Active Citizenship Award by the City in the 2025 Community Citizen of the Year Awards.

On receiving the award, group members explained that it was “great to know that our efforts are having an impact,” “showed that anyone can contribute,” and “wholesome to see the team happy for the year’s work and its impact we had on the community.”

Do you know a young person or youth group who is contributing to your local community? Nominate them for a Community Citizen of the Year Award at citizenshipawards.com.au.

While they make their impact as a group, Auspire was keen to find out more about some of the individual members and their community contribution.

Meet some of the Members of the Melville Youth Steering Group (YSG)

Name: Brodie
Age: 22
How long have you been a member of the YSG? Just under three years
Why did you want to join? I wanted to be able to give back to my community, but also support young people living in Melville by promoting or encouraging youth-focused services and events.
What has been your favourite event? The yearly Melville youth collective market!
Who inspires you? Other young leaders and people willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if it’s difficult.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully working somewhere where I feel like I can contribute well, and also having travelled more.

Name: Ruby
Age: 19
How long have you been a member of the YSG? Since 2023
Why did you want to join? To understand how council events and initiatives run, and have an opportunity to give my two cents about what the City of Melville can do for, and with, young people.
What has been your favourite event? My favourite thing so far has been going to the markets we’ve planned and getting to meet all the amazing and talented stall holders!
Who inspires you? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be in a job that challenges and inspires me, involved with different community groups and going on lots of down south and Rotto trips!

Name: Sascha
Age: 19
How long have you been a member of the YSG? Almost three years
Why did you want to join? There was a lack of events and services for young people in our local community and I wanted to do something real to help young people. Contributing to your local community is a great way to create the change you want to see in the world and empowering yourself to make the world a better place.
What has been your favourite event? The Youth Landcare days. Through my role with the YSG, I’ve been able to work with the Melville Eco Team to create a sustainability focused event that’s designed for young people.
Who inspires you? Every member of the YSG inspires me with their unique and creative ideas, and the incredible things they do for their community.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I’d love to keep organising sustainability events and see the Youth Landcare Days program grow, involving more young people and expanding to more parks.

Name: Louie
Age: 18
How long have you been a member of the YSG? Since November 2023
Why did you want to join? I think it’s important to contribute to anything beneficial for both parties of any ‘group’ of people in a community because it’ll enhance people’s engagement and compassion for one another. If there’s no room for understanding or willingness to talk to each other, then that defeats the purpose of making a community in the first place.
What has been your favourite event? I am a fan of the market days and opportunities to be notified and join conferences held in the City of Melville, especially from Piney Lake’s Environmental Education Facilities.
Who inspires you? Jesus Christ
Where do you see yourself in five years? Doing a master’s in Translation Studies in UWA, and hopefully fully integrated in the Graphic Design industry.