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10 seats · Ages 16–25 · $150/meeting honorarium

Youth Steering
Committee

This is not a consultation panel. The Riverun Academy Youth Steering Committee has binding authority over program design, public advocacy, and a $20,000 innovation fund — no director veto.

We are recruiting 10 young people aged 16–25 to lead this program from the inside.

Real Power, Not Token Input

The YSC governance structure is written into the program charter. Here is exactly what the committee controls.

BINDING AUTHORITY
  • Program design priorities for each 6-month cycle
  • Tone and content of all public-facing advocacy materials
  • Selection of community partners for cohort expansion
  • Allocation of the $20,000 YSC Innovation Fund

The Director cannot override these decisions.

ADVISORY AUTHORITY
  • Staff hiring for youth-facing roles
  • Evaluation framework and KPI selection
  • Budget reprioritisation within streams

Written rationale required from the Director if these recommendations are overridden.

What You Actually Do

📅
Monthly meetings

90-minute online meetings, monthly. Stipended at $150 per meeting — that's $1,650 over the year for Year 1 members.

✈️
Biannual in-person hui

Two in-person gatherings per year. Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered from grant funds.

📄
Co-author the Insights Reports

Every biannual report is co-written with the YSC. Your name and voice is in the document — not as a footnote.

🎤
National advocacy forum

Attend one national youth advocacy forum per year — flights, accommodation, and ticket funded.

💰
Control the Innovation Fund

$20,000 across two years is yours to allocate. No director veto. The YSC decides how it's spent.

🧑‍💼
Shape who we hire

Advisory input on all youth-facing staff hiring decisions. The Director must provide written rationale if your advice is overridden.

Who We're Looking For

10 members in total. We are actively recruiting to meet the following composition targets. You don't need to fit every category — you just need to want to be here.

🧠≥50% lived experience of mental health challenges
🌏≥40% from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
🌾≥30% from regional, rural, or remote communities
🪃At least 1 First Nations member
🏳️‍🌈At least 2 LGBTQIA+ members
👥6 from direct program participants, 4 from partner referrals

Age range

16–25 years. Members aged 16–17 require parental/guardian consent. All YSC sessions are supervised by the Youth Governance Specialist with current WWCC.

Support and Safeguarding

Youth Governance Specialist

A dedicated specialist (YACVic-credentialled, current WWCC) facilitates every YSC meeting and provides one-on-one support to all members.

Wellbeing Support Protocol

Developed in consultation with a registered psychologist before the first meeting. Covers distress signs, referral pathways, debriefing, and emergency procedures.

Childcare & Accessibility

Budget covers childcare support and accessibility needs for YSC meetings. Regional and remote members join via videoconference; in-person hui travel is fully funded.

Direct Director Access

All YSC members have direct access to the Director (Liam Tormey) and Program Coordinator via a dedicated channel. The YSC can call an emergency session at any time.

Apply for the YSC

Applications are strengths-based and supported — a youth worker will help you through the process. There is no wrong way to apply. Program opens July 2026.

A youth worker will follow up with you — there is no wrong way to apply.