Your Year to Lead: A conversation with young people leading through volunteering

Join us during National Youth Volunteer Week for a conversation with inspiring young volunteers from across Australia who are already making a difference in their communities.

We'll explore what leadership looks like through the lens of volunteering, how volunteering builds confidence, connection and belonging, and what organisations can do to create meaningful opportunities for young people to lead.

Whether you're a Volunteer Manager, community leader, educator or young volunteer, you'll leave with fresh perspectives on engaging the next generation of volunteers and recognising the leadership they bring to communities across Australia.

Event details:

Theme: Your Year to Lead

Date: Thursday 13 August 2026

Time: 4.00–5.00 pm AEST

Online: Microsoft Teams link will be sent out to registrants

Panellists:

Molly Croft (NSW)

NSW 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

National Volunteer of the Year Finalist

Molly Croft has transformed personal challenges into purpose through volunteering. Her journey reflects resilience, compassion and a deep commitment to supporting others through advocacy and fundraising. By sharing her experiences openly, Molly encourages others to find hope, connection and strength in their own journeys. Her story highlights how volunteering can become a powerful way to turn adversity into meaningful community impact.

Ellie Vrankovich (WA)

WA 2026 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

Ellie is passionate about using her skills to improve systems, solve problems and create positive change through volunteering. Her work demonstrates that leadership isn't always visible and that meaningful impact often happens behind the scenes. Bringing strengths in innovation, digital capability and advocacy, Ellie offers a fresh perspective on how young volunteers are helping organisations evolve while strengthening their communities.

Fletcher Pearce (SA)

Year 11 student

2026 National Volunteering Conference panellist

Fletcher is a Year 11 student whose volunteering journey highlights how leadership often begins with simply getting involved. Through volunteering, Fletcher has developed confidence, built connections and discovered new opportunities to contribute to his community. He brings a relatable perspective for other young people who may be considering volunteering for the first time, showing that leadership isn't about age or experience but about being willing to step forward.

Jaylyn Rongo (QLD)

QLD 2026 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

Jaylyn draws on lived experience to create positive change through volunteering. Passionate about organ donation advocacy, youth voice and cultural representation, Jaylyn uses personal experiences to educate, connect and inspire others. His volunteering demonstrates how authentic leadership grows from sharing your story, standing up for causes you believe in and creating opportunities for others to feel seen, heard and supported.

Lucy Stevens (SA)

SA 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

2026 National Volunteering Conference panellist

Lucy is a dedicated volunteer and emerging leader who has built her volunteering journey through long-term service and a commitment to helping others grow. With experience in volunteer management and youth leadership, Lucy understands how volunteering creates opportunities not only to contribute to communities, but also to empower others to step forward. Her story demonstrates that leadership often develops through consistently showing up, supporting others and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Moderator Dr Felix Ho ASM AOM

Australian Volunteer of the Year (NT) 2025

Inaugural National Volunteer of the Year

Dr Felix Ho is a doctor, volunteer leader and passionate advocate for young people, Felix has dedicated more than 30 years to volunteering, beginning as a St John Ambulance cadet at just 13 years old. Today, as St John Ambulance Australia's National Youth Officer, he supports more than 3,000 young people across the country to build confidence, develop leadership skills and make a positive impact in their communities. Alongside his work as a clinician in remote Northern Territory communities, Felix continues to champion the power of volunteering to build stronger, more connected communities.

About National Youth Volunteer Week

National Youth Volunteer Week celebrates the leadership, connection and impact young people bring to communities through volunteering.

Formerly known as National Student Volunteer Week, the new name reflects the many ways young people volunteer today, whether through schools, community organisations, emergency services, sport, the environment, arts and culture, health or advocacy.

This year's theme, Your Year to Lead, recognises that leadership isn't something young people will do one day. Through volunteering, young people are already leading every day by supporting communities, creating opportunities and inspiring others.

For more information, visit National Youth Volunteer Week

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