Plenty to be proud about for Gladstone Region Youth Council in 2025
Published on 19 December 2025
The passionate and enthusiastic Gladstone Region Youth Council have turned ideas into action in 2025 with plenty of highlights and initiatives that strive to make the region a better place.
Acting as a formal advisory committee to Council on youth-related matters within the region, the 2025 Gladstone Region Youth Council comprised of 16 members who aspired to the motto of: Your Voice. Your Community. Your Impact.
Gladstone Region Youth Council members for 2025 included:
- Logan Althaus
- Rosharne Cakau
- Lochie Cathcart
- Bailey Dawson
- Ava Hetherington
- Doug Hoffmann (Chairperson)
- Mily Jalass
- Holly M
- Alanah Mayo
- Oneli Peiris
- Zachary Pulido
- Naomi-Jon Redshaw
- Jayavarsheini Sivananthan
- Samantha Steemson
- Niel Torres
- Tairui Zang.
(Back row L-R): Jayavarsheini Sivananthan, Mily Jalass, Niel Torres, Lochie Cathcart, Bailey Dawson, Zachary Pulido, Tairui Zang, Doug Hoffmann. (Front row L-R): Rebecca Creedy (GRC), Naomi-Jon Redshaw, Samantha Steemson, Phoebe Alderson, Nicolle Mayers (GRC), Jaclyn Iwasaka (GRC). Absent: Alanah Mayo, Ava Hetherington, Holly M, Logan Althaus, Oneli Peiris, Rosharne Cakau.
The dynamic and dedicated group worked alongside Gladstone Regional Council employees, Councillors and the wider community to deliver a jam-packed year of highlights.
Gladstone Region Youth Council highlights for 2025 included:
- Developed a Sun Safety initiative aimed at reducing the region’s high melanoma rate, including developing a digital mascot ‘Sunny’, whose likeness is similar to a tube of sunscreen, and the slogan SPF is my BFF
IMAGE: Niel Torres, Cr Karen Davis, Cr Mellissa Holzheimer and Doug Hoffmann with mascot 'Sunny'.
- Championed the installation of sunscreen dispenser at Tannum Sands beach and a UV index indicator at Agnes Water Main Beach via a grant obtained through Central Queensland Health
- Launched Gladstone Region Youth Council Instagram profile to help increase awareness and visibility of the Youth Council
- Attended the Art Science Innovation Festival representing the youth in our region on their vision for what the Gladstone Region will look like in 2100
IMAGE: Brainstorm session at the Art Science Innovation Festival held in August.
- Built connections with young people in Melitopol through Council’s Friendship City Agreement with the Ukrainian city via a youth book exchange and sharing of a Spotify playlist featuring some of the Youth Council’s favourite songs
- Completed training with social enterprise group Ylab to strengthen skills, build confidence, and enhance the Youth Council’s role as advocates for young people across the region
- Supported the Gladstone Region Neighbourhood Centre’s Connected Youth program through attendance and mentoring of the youth involved
- Installation of an accessible drinking fountain at Lions Park, Boyne Island.
IMAGE: The accessible drinking fountain at Lions Park, Boyne Island.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the number of initiatives and achievements ticked off by the Gladstone Region Youth Council in 2025 was outstanding.
“The 2025 Youth Council has built upon the fantastic work undertaken by previous Youth Council members and I’m excited to see what our members for 2026 can achieve,” Mayor Burnett said.
“I’d like to thank all Youth Council members for their enthusiasm and dedication this year and wish the departing members best wishes for their future endeavours.
“Being a member on the Youth Council is a fantastic stepping stone for young people with a deep interest and passion for their community, and it’s great to see 10 new members joining nine existing members next year.”
IMAGE: Mayor Matt Burnett speaks to the 2025 Youth Council at orientation day in February.
At the 16 December 2025 general meeting, Council resolved to appoint the following 19 Gladstone Region Youth Council members for 2026:
- Carl Ararao
- Paige Cameron
- Lochlain Cathcart (returning member)
- Bailey Dawson (returning member)
- Casey Deliyiannis
- Harold Evangelista
- Matilda Heier
- Doug Hoffman (returning member)
- Joshua Hooper
- Flynn Kelso
- Logan Althaus (returning member)
- Kaylee Pavlovic
- Oneli Peiris (returning member)
- Zachary Pulido (returning member)
- Samantha Steemson (returning member)
- Niel Torres (returning member)
- Cooper Townsend
- Alisha Van Den Bosch
- Tairui Zang (returning member).
Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/Council/About-Council/Youth-Council for more information about Gladstone Region Youth Council.