It’s time to meet your 2025 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.
Ryan is a Law and Arts student at Monash University who is passionate about social justice and community’s access to it. Read more about him below!
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a student of Law and Arts at Monash University who’s passionate about social justice and improving the community’s access to justice and the law. I’m also currently a part of the Just Leadership Program at Monash and an administrator at a migration law firm. In my personal life, you will find me listening to Lana Del Rey endlessly (especially the Ultraviolence album), hanging out with friends, drawing, and watching films to add to my Letterboxd.
Why did you join the BYC?
I joined the Brimbank Youth Council as I am passionate about driving forward meaningful social change for a community I have been a part of for my entire life. My interest in social justice and having the opportunity to work with and assist migrants coming to Australia gave me insight into the issues surrounding the complex and inaccessible nature of our legal system. Being a part of BYC allows me to raise awareness on how this issue impacts a diverse community like Brimbank. BYC gives me the chance to learn from amazing like-minded people and develop important skills in becoming a leader.
What are you passionate about?
As I have grown up in a community as diverse as Brimbank, I have realised how multi-faceted the issues that impact our community are. Different groups within our community require different solutions. Therefore, we must foster a community that is equitable, accommodating and unifying. My studies of Law and Arts (Sociology major) have led me to be passionate about bolstering our community’s access to justice. Residents of Brimbank should be able to understand their rights, how the law impacts them and how to seek justice when their rights have been infringed upon. Indeed, in improving our community’s legal literacy, we must be sensitive to the cultural needs of residents and their unique experiences with how the law may impact them.
What are you hoping to achieve as a BYC member this year?
I am excited to work and collaborate with like-minded people in BYC this year. I’d like to learn from my peers, know more about their experiences in Brimbank and what they are passionate about as leaders of tomorrow. Additionally, as I get the chance to work with the Brimbank City Council, I am interested in learning about the decision-making process. Particularly what issues are deemed as a priority to create by-laws on and whether it reflects the needs of our community.
What does a better Brimbank look like to you?
Brimbank should be about upholding the needs of its people. It should be a community that is equitable and safe for all. No barriers should exist against someone for their ethnic, cultural, gender or religious identity. The people of Brimbank deserve to be informed about what is being done for them. I’d like to see more of our residents be involved in the decision-making process and to understand how our legal system operates as it can foster practices of direct democracy in our community.
What’s one piece of advice you have for young people who want to create change in their community?
Always stick to it, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but it’s true. Educate yourself and understand the issue that concerns you. Listen to the experiences of others impacted by this issue – always be compassionate and understanding. Remember that speaking out and being wilful is important. Never feel like what you are doing is not enough. Always challenge and check those in positions of power. Connect with others and develop a strong community to mobilise the social change you want to see.
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