2024 Koorie Youth Summit - Ancestor's Footsteps, Young Voices, Empowering Futures

The Koorie Youth Summit is the largest gathering in Victoria created for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18-28 years. Since 2014, Koorie Youth Council (KYC) has hosted the event to create a safe space for young mob to gather from around the state to connect with each other, discuss what is important to us, be proud, learn, share and celebrate our culture.

2024 Koorie Youth Summit - Ancestor's Footsteps, Young Voices, Empowering Futures

We are excited to announce the 2024 Koorie Youth Summit, taking place in Naarm/Melbourne, Victoria. This three-day conference welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged between 18-28 years who live permanently in Victoria. The Summit draws participants from regional, rural, and metro communities across the state, offering a dedicated space for connection, growth, and empowerment.

Anticipating over 100 youth delegates, this face-to-face conference marks a significant return to Naarm, focusing on outcomes and advocacy for our community's future. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and advocates, shaping the path forward for our young mob. Additionally, KYC will provide delegates with enriching cultural and social programs that celebrate the resilience of our people.

To ensure accessibility, KYC offers support for young people traveling from regional and rural areas, striving to create an inclusive and safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth with diverse lived and cultural experiences.

Registration details:
Registrations open 6 May, 2024 at 9AM and close 7 June, 2024 at 5PM.

Please note, tickets are limited to <5 tickets> per person/organisation. For Group Bookings, please contact admin@koorieyouth.org.au to finalise the booking.

About our Theme - Ancestor's Footsteps, Young Voices, Empowering Futures

The theme for the 2024 Koorie Youth Summit, Ancestor's Footsteps, Young Voices, Empowering Futures, combines the notions of following our Ancestor's footsteps, paying homage to all of those that have come before us and their advocacy for the rights and representation of future generations. To us, as young, proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now using our voices to do the same, we look to shape and determine where to next for us as well as what we want for our mobs moving forward. We will listen, heal, share, and celebrate each other so that we can empower each other into the future.

About Us
The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) is the representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Victoria. Guided by our Executive of 15 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and our state-wide network, KYC values the diversity and strength of young people as decision-makers. We advocate to government and community to advance the rights and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

By hosting events like the annual Koorie Youth Summit, we bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people together to amplify our voices for social change.

Our Story
Koorie Youth Council (KYC) has a rich history and is the only organisation of its kind in the country. KYC is a dedicated representative organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in policy and advocacy.

KYC was first known as the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC). VIYAC was established in 2003 by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), a nationally appointed body which operated from 1990-2004. VIYAC was created with the support of the Aboriginal community and Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic). In 2012, VIYAC became known as the Koorie Youth Council.

Our vision is ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people collectively creating our future'.

Contact us
For more details, please get in touch with Bonnie Dukakis (She/Her), KYC Executive Officer at Admin@koorieyouth.org.au.