Two locals selected for next Victorian Youth Congress

ARMSTRONG Creek’s Lachlan Houen is stepping forward again and Torquay’s Keeden Graham will join him in the third Victorian Youth Congress.
The two young people from the Geelong region are among 21 chosen for the 2020-21 Congress, announced on International Youth Day earlier this month.
The new Victorian Youth Congress will work with the state government to ensure young people’s voices are heard in decision-making on issues of importance to all young Victorians.
Lachlan, 17, who was part of the Congress last year, is passionate about LGBTIQ issues and youth homelessness, and strives to bring purposeful change to all young people.
He said Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai was a young leader he admired “for her passion and determination and her continued advocacy for women and girls pursuing education”.
Keeden, 21, is a proud Yorta-Yorta, Wiradjuri and Dja Dja Wurrung man who grew up on Wadawurrung land in Torquay.
He is studying for a counselling diploma while working full time as an Indigenous mentor for Strong Brother Strong Sister. He wants to stop barriers in place for our young mob and future leaders such as systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and over-representation of Indigenous youth in the justice system and out-of-home care.
The youth advisory group reflects Victoria’s diversity, with young people from Aboriginal, LGBTIQ and multicultural communities, as well as young people living with disability.
The group includes young people aged between 15 and 25 who hail from rural, regional and metropolitan areas across Victoria.
“I’d like to congratulate Lachlan for continuing his role on the Congress and congratulate Keeden for bravely putting his hand up as a new member,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.
“The Victorian Youth Congress is a fantastic way for young people to have their say and make sure their voices are heard by the government.
“The coronavirus crisis has made it more important than ever for young people to have an input into government decision-making.”
For more information on the Victorian Youth Congress, head to youthcentral.vic.gov.au.