Breaking News:       Latest ABS data places youth unemployment between ages 15-24 at 11.7%, more than double the national rate.       Youth underemployment rate at 18.6%, up from 17.3% in March 2019.       The Newstart Allowance hasn't risen in 25 years.      
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NYC Secretariat

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The NYC Secretariat is established to resource and support the overall work of the National Youth Commission, including:

  • Activity co-ordination, including public hearings, meetings, and workshops
  • Corporate and technical support to the Commission
  • Data/evidence collection, analysis and drafting the Commissions National Report
  • Preparation of Public Discussion Papers
  • Digital engagement of a wide range of stakeholders
  • Assisting the Commission articulate policy options
  • Public relations and communications

 

Whilst the NYC Secretariat will be responsible for ensuring that the analysis of the data/evidence collected during the NYC and the drafting of the final National Report – final editorial control rests with the NYC Commissioners.

Executive Officer for the NYC Keith Waters

Keith Waters

Co-Executive Officer

Keith Waters has worked in the not for profit sector for over 30 years. He has held Executive positions with Anglicare in NSW and the ACT as well as the Salvation Army in Melbourne, Victoria. He has experience across a wide range of areas including youth, drug and alcohol, housing and homelessness, crisis services, Out of Home, family violence, prisons and courts, disability services, child care, aged care, primary health care and juvenile justice.

 

In addition to being a leading NGO Executive, he has pioneered numerous innovative programs for disadvantaged young people over the past 20 years and has been the author and co-author of a number of landmark reports which have impacted youth policy. He is currently the Executive Officer of both YDA and the National Youth Commission into Youth Employment and Transitions. Keith has post graduate qualifications in Innovation, Service Management and Business Administration.

Alexandra McClean

Alex McLean

Co-Executive Officer

Alex McLean until recently was the Chief of Staff at Oaktree. In this role, she managed the People and Operations portfolios and played a key role in creating meaningful and positive experiences for diverse young people across the country. In her time at Oaktree, she developed their national grassroots advocacy program for students, created their first diversity plan, and was selected as a representative for an exchange trip to India. Alex has also consulted on youth and diversity for major NFP organisations and held events and communications roles at Oaktree. Alex has a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Master of Science (Epidemiology).

marissa-garner

Marissa Garner

Event Manager

Marissa Garner completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours at La Trobe University in 2017. During her time at La Trobe she was involved in the Psych Society in the role of committee member, secretary, and events coordinator, where she discovered a passion for creating meaningful events. In 2016 she was a part of a team of three that competed in The Big Idea social business/enterprise competition run by The Big Issue. The team made it to the national grand final and this experience made Marissa want to work in the for-purpose sector.

Dev Mukherjee

Dev Mukherjee

Senior Researcher
Dev Mukherjee  has worked in social research and policy for 23 years in the areas of education, employment, housing and homelessness, juvenile justice, and youth affairs. Most recently, he worked as a policy advisor at the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), working on issues of employment and community services industry development. Prior to VCOSS, he worked at the NSW Council of Social Service as Deputy Director (Policy) and Senior Policy Officer. In 2007, he was Senior Researcher for the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness.
pariece-nelligan

Dr. Pariece Nelligan

Senior Researcher

Pariece Nelligan is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. She holds a doctorate in sociology and cultural studies and has been working as a tutor and lecturer for ten years, most recently as a unit coordinator in online education. She has worked on a number of projects that examine the formation of vocational ambition and the construction of careers focussing particularly on the experiences of marginalised and disadvantaged youth. Her latest book examines the gig economy and the impact precarious labour has on young people aspiring to work in creative occupations. She is a member of The Australian Sociological Association and is committed to helping people overcome disadvantage and issues that emerge from social and cultural constraint.

Nina

Nina Roxburgh

Director of Content & Digital Engagement

Nina Roxburgh is a writer, editor and producer. She is currently the Editor & Producer of Binge Thinking Podcast showcasing expert perspectives and experiences of millennials in Australia and globally. Previously, she was Editor-in-Chief of Quarterly Access Journal at the Australian Institute of International Affairs – publishing the work and research of young international relations scholars. She also worked at the Public Affairs Coordinator for the Foundation for Young Australians.

 

Nina has worked across many industries including business transformation, event management, research and academia, publishing, hospitality, and not-for-profit work, and has a background in International Relations specialising in the political economy of sex trafficking.

Elvis Martin

Elvis Martin

Principal Ambassador

Elvis Martin is one of the passionate young leaders of Victoria advocating for social justice. He is currently the Principal Ambassador of National Youth Commission Australia and RUOK?Day. His main focus is to support young people who are experiencing hardships in life and his areas of advocacy work include mental health, homelessness, domestic violence, suicide prevention and LGBTIQ+ community. He uses his platform to promote inclusion, diversity and equality for all.

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