Meet Milena: Your 2024 Brimbank Youth Councillor

It’s time to meet your 2024 Brimbank Youth Council!

The Brimbank Youth Council is made up of young people in the area, who are motivated, excited and determined to represent the young community of Brimbank.

Milena is a third-year politics and economics student at Monash University who likes to get involved: she’s a student tutor, Trade Policy Analyst at Nile and Kaplan, Publications Officer at ESSA Clayton, blog-runner, and jewellery business owner. As much as she works hard, she plays hard too! She enjoys drawing, watching musicals, going to art galleries, reading, and gaming in her downtime.

Read more about Milena below.

Why did you join the Brimbank Youth Council?

I joined the Brimbank Youth Council as I believe that it would expose me to like-minded individuals who are also interested in change and community development from my own community. I also think that this is a great opportunity to make friends with other youth from Brimbank.

Further to this, as someone who aspires to work within governance after my studies, I believe exposure to local government bodies and professionals will enhance my knowledge and network.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about human rights and policy, and I am interested in how we can use economic methodologies to aid policy and improve living standards. I am also passionate about change, more specifically, positive societal change. I believe that the Brimbank Youth Council will help me develop my leadership skills and knowledge so that I will be able to efficiently enforce positive societal change in my career and in the future.

What are you hoping to achieve as a Brimbank Youth Councillor this year?

What does a better Brimbank look like to you?

A better Brimbank is one that continues to put people first and strives to empower its people and members. Brimbank can do this through continual community support, support groups and programs to better educational and mental-health outcomes. In addition, this can be achieved through greater safety measures for greater security and living standards. By remaining human-centred, Brimbank can better itself and the community to which it governs. Overall, a better Brimbank considers the voice of its people and youth, which is why the Brimbank Youth Council is so crucial. 

What’s one piece of advice you have for young people who want to create change in their community?

My advice to the next generation of innovators, change agents, and leaders, would be don’t let the prospect of change discourage you. Please don’t see change as something which is out of reach and intangible. My personal motto is: If it’s possible, it’s achievable.

Just because something may seem out of reach, if it’s not impossible, then it is in reach. It is achievable, it is probable, and thus, we can work towards achieving it.

To the young people who wish to make change in their local and in the greater community, please don’t be discouraged. That is the first step. The next, and most important step, is Action. Take Action. Action is the most important step for without it, we remain in the status quo. You can take action by putting yourself out there! This comes in various forms, you can take action by: networking, volunteering, researching, investing, and preaching.

Be the change that you wish to see, and you will create change as a result.

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