Gladstone Region Youth Council
Gladstone Region Youth Council Profiles
Minutes of Meetings
The Gladstone Region Youth Council acts as a formal advisory committee to Council on youth related matters within the Gladstone Region.
Members are aged between 15 and 24 years and reside in the Gladstone Region.
The Youth Council's annual term is aligned with the Queensland school year, notionally February to December.
Youth Council members meet on the first and third Monday of the month. Members serve an initial one-year term and can seek re-appointment for a subsequent term.External organisations can consult with Youth Council members and gain feedback on youth related topics that could provide capacity building opportunities within their organisation and the community.
See also
Gladstone Region Youth Councillors
Max Thompson
Gladstone Region Youth Council Chair
Gladstone Regional Youth Council Chair, Max Thompson was born in Gladstone, and has lived here for the entirety of his life.
Max currently attends Gladstone State High School, and was one of 14 CQ National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) representatives where he was inducted as 2020 alumni of the NYSF’s Doherty and Medical Sciences Institute of the Australian National University.
Outside of Max’s passion for science, politics and debate, Max is a sempai at Seishin Martial Arts, where he actively engages with youth of all ages.
In 2019, Max sought a position on the Gladstone Region Youth Council under the guidance of his school’s Principal, brother and other family members and friends. He knew he had the potential to make a difference and to diversify the approach the Youth Council takes on a variety of complex issues.
In the Youth Council’s future, Max would like to see the engagement of State and Federal Members in advisory charters. This would allow Youth Council to not only be a voice for local issues but facilitate their avenues to make a positive difference in the lives of youth through every level of government.
Abbi Willis
Gladstone Region Youth Council Deputy Chair & LNG RCCC Representative
Gladstone Regional Youth Council Deputy Chair, Abbi Willis is also the GRYC’s LNG Regional Community & Consultive Committee Representative.
Abbi was born in Victoria and has lived in the Gladstone Region for just shy of five years. She currently works as an Administrative Support Officer at GAPDL Communities for Children, and is also studying her CertificateIV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention.
When Abbi is not occupied with Youth Council, work or study you can find her at Canoe Point walking her dog, cooking up a storm or doing arts and crafts.
This year is Abbi’s second term at Gladstone Region Youth Council. She was originally appointed due to her courage and bravery to bring upbring up complex issues that require complex solutions.
Abbi has a strong focus on what is required to build a strong support system for the youth and working to eliminate barriers between the ‘advantaged’ and ‘disadvantaged’ of our community.
Bridie Whelan
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor
Gladstone Regional Youth Councillor, Bridie Whelan is currently completing her senior year at Tannum Sands High School.
Bridie also balances a part-time job at Coles and has interests in the field of science.
When Bridie is not studying, working or advocating for Gladstone Region Youth Council, she enjoys being part of Gladstone’s broader youth community.
Bridie originally sought a position on Gladstone Region Youth Councilbecause she believed that the youth in our region needed an accessible outlet to express their concerns, recommendations and suggestions.
Bridie was honoured to accept a role on the Gladstone Region Youth Council, as she believes she now had a medium to voice her contribution for the region, and to also grow her own interpersonal skills.
Jarrod Lowry
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Jarrod Lowry is a senior student from Toolooa State High School.
Jarrod is a born and bred resident of the Gladstone community who strives for equity between all members of his youth community.
Jarrod sought a position on the Gladstone Regional Youth Council, as he knew he had what it would take to make a difference, anddifference and help better the region’s representation of youth and support services.
Kailyn Smith
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Kailyn Smith is currently in her senior year at Tannum Sands High School.
Kailyn lives in Tannum Sands and couldn’t think of a better place to grow up and complete her primary and secondary schooling.
Kailyn loves music and interacting with likeminded people. Next year, she hopes to pursue a Bachelor of Political Science at University.
This is Kailyn’s second year on the Gladstone Regional Youth Council, where she enjoys the opportunity that Gladstone Regional Youth Council provides in advocating her opinions.
Kailyn believes that empowering our community’s youth is important in having a strong and connected community, where everyone’s voice matters.
Kailyn has had a blast being a part of Youth Council, and hopes to use the things she has learnt through this journey into the future.
Meli-Lisa Eayrs
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Meli-Lisa Eayrs is a senior student from Tannum Sands High School. Academically, Meli is a 2020 Alumni of the National Youth Science Forum of the Australian National University.
When Meli is not at school or studying you can find her at Boyne Tannum Bullets Swim Club, where she trains and teaches learn to swim classes.
Meli also plays a role in the Tannum Sands Surf Life Saving Club where you’ll see her in red and yellow, or out in the little rubber duck (boat). You could say the water is Meli’s second home.
Meli is passionate about youth action, and the effects that youth can have when they unite. She believes that youth are the catalysts for change, today and into the future.
Youth are an ever-evolving demographic and every new generation has the power to put into perspective new ideas and visions.
Meli sees Youth Council as the perfect opportunity to give rise to the voices of Gladstone’s youth and ultimately, start a process of change.
Skye Kierys
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Skye-lee Kierys is ecstatic to have the opportunity to be part of the 2020 Gladstone Regional Youth Council.
Skye currently lives in Calliope with her family, including her lovely animals.
Skye is also in her third year of University studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, and loves every minute of university.
Skye moved to Gladstone when she was 15 and found that there was not much for the youth to do, other than movies or parties.
It was for this reason that Skye sought a position on Gladstone Regional Youth Council.
In the future Skye envisions the design of a ‘youth haven’, being a place for youth to go 24/7.
Tinoda Pfidze
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor and Saiki Sister Committee Representative
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Tino is currently Gladstone Regional Youth Council's Saiki Sister Committee representative, and a proud member of the Youth Council.
Tino attends Tannum Sands State High School and loves the relaxed beach front lifestyle that Tannum Sands has to offer.
As a young person Tino finds he has a strong understanding of the capabilities of young people and how effective an empowered youth can be at achieving great things.
Tino says that being in the Gladstone Regional Youth Council allows him to be a voice for young people in the Gladstone Region.
For recreation, Tino loves taking advantage of Gladstone’s beaches and rivers when he gets the chance to do so.
Emily Dunnett
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor and Our Coast Our Future Representative
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor Emily Dunnett is also Gladstone Regional Youth Council's representative for the ‘Our Coast Our Future’ committee.
Emily attends Gladstone State High School and is one of Youth Council’s biggest advocates for social and environmental issues. Emily believes diversity is what strengthens the community.
Emily has spent her whole life in Queensland and has called Gladstone home since she can remember. Emily admires the tourism industry in Gladstone and frequently visits Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy.
She is adamant that the contribution from all aspects of society whether that it is the youth, long-time residents or local businesses are valuable to a thriving community.
Emily believes that, in recent years, Gladstone has seen a lack of engagement from the younger generations and believes that Youth Councillors have a responsibility to change this.
Gabriella Davie
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor and Proxy For Environmental Committee
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Gaby is currently in the final year of senior school at Chanel College. After completing school Gaby aims to study a degree in social work.
Gaby is a very active person and loves doing just about anything involving sport. She currently plays hockey and is eager to play this sport for many more years to come to add to her 13 years of hockey experience.
Gaby sought a position on Gladstone Region Youth Council for many reasons. She found she was constantly complaining for nothing to do in the region.
Eventually Youth Council became Gaby’s means of voicing her opinions and suggestions, facing the youth’s lack of regional engagement.
However, after joining Youth Council, Gaby realised that there was plenty to do in the region, she just hadn’t known where to look.
Gaby cannot wait to see how Youth Council can positively change the way our youth perceive the Gladstone Region.
Stephanie Merrick
Gladstone Region Youth Council
Gladstone Region Youth Councillor, Stephanie currently attends Toolooa State High School and is a proud member of the Youth Council. Stephanie loves being a part of the friendly and inviting Gladstone community.
Stephanie pursued a position on Gladstone Region Youth Council, after realising the potential her positive input could have on our region’s youth.
Stephanie is eager in continuing her role at Youth Council and is excited to further her understanding of local government and the management of the region.