Brimbank Youth Council: Vi Nguyen
It’s with great pleasure to introduce your 2022 Brimbank Youth Councillor Vi Nguyen!
Name: Vi Nguyen
Pronouns: She/her
Suburb: Essendon
Tell us more about yourself!
Honestly, I have the same birthday as Jennifer Lopez so that’s all you really need to know about me. Nah I’m just kidding haha. I’m 25 years old, so I still classify as a prodigy even though most (all) wouldn’t agree (haters are my motivators) and have a limitless imagination (or in other words, have too many interests and hobbies that I never continue with). I love meeting new people, travelling and my family and friends are the light of my life. Well, now that I’ve given you some detail of me, can you guess my star sign? (don’t cheat by Googling JLo’s birthday)
Why did you join the BYC?
I joined the BYC because it provides a space to not only have the voices of the youth heard, but also provides a space to influence change within our communities and wider sectors. I believe that our youth are some of the most powerful and most influential people and the BYC offers opportunities for these young people to be empowered and represented within these communities and spaces that are not usually accessible to us. It is run by the youth, for the youth and gives us the platform to have input into the work we do, advocating for ourselves and other young people to be more involved in the work that’s about us.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about many things from social justice, human rights, youth engagement, equality, mental health, environmental sustainability, community and representation. I believe these issues are important to the Brimbank Community and has a huge impact within our communities as it gives us the opportunities to think outside the box to create bigger and more insightful conversations. These in turn leads us to take necessary actions and plans to further combat these issues and create a better change for the community.
What are you hoping to achieve as a BYC member this year?
I am hoping to not only connect and develop strong relationships with young people based on trust and respect, but I am also hoping to develop opportunities and skills where the youth are able to feel supported so that they are able to make positive changes in their lives. Through mentoring, coaching and supporting the youth within the Brimbank Community, this will help ensure that they have a safe place to develop their identity and place in society encouraging greater social inclusion and building a stronger support network in 2022.
What does a better Brimbank look like to you?
When I envision a better Brimbank, I see a community of connectedness. I believe a better Brimbank is one that makes individuals feel safe, comforted, empowered and encouraged to speak their minds, expressing what’s important to every one of us and giving us the opportunity to build more fruitful and genuine connections.
What’s one piece of advice you have for young people who want to create change in their community?
A piece of advice I have for young people who want to create a better change in their community is that no mistake is a mistake. You only learn by doing and it’s only a mistake if you don’t learn from it. No one is perfect and as serious as change is, remember to also have fun. Our generation the ability where we are able to bring ideas into life in a creative and fun way.
