Meet the Mentors
The YEC mentors are older students (typically Yr 9-11), who have been a member of the YEC for at least one year. The YEC mentors' role is to welcome and guide the newer members continuing the inclusive and supportive culture of young people taking action for sustainability.
This has the added benefit of the mentors developing their leadership skills, whilst also transitioning these older members onto other things beyond the YEC.
This has the added benefit of the mentors developing their leadership skills, whilst also transitioning these older members onto other things beyond the YEC.
Colby
What do you love about nature/the environment? I love all aspects of the environment especially the natural landscape. I also really don’t like all of the plastics that are in the natural environment and landscape around us. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? In 2020 I was flown up to Canberra to be one of 14 young people from around the country to attend the national plastics summit. Last year I was also involved in YELP (young environmental leaders program) which is a group for the lower south east that targets year 6’s and year 7’s. Most lunches and recess I will be in my school's plastic recycling workspace where we turn bottle caps (we collect them from the school community) into big 1m2 sheets that can be 3, 5, 10, 20 millimetres thick. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? I love the flexibility that YEC provides and that it's not just about one aspect of the environment but it's everything to do with the environment. I also like that I really enjoy working with plastics but someone else might enjoy working with wildlife. |
Jesse
What do you love about nature/the environment? It's peaceful and I enjoy seeing wildlife and exploring the geology. I like visiting national parks, going hiking and camping. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? When I was little I was involved with tree-planting and looking after the creek and what are now the Pledger Wetlands. I have participated in three different climate action marches. I have been in YECSA since 2020. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? Quite good overall all. I especially liked the camp. I like that the people are all very grounded and fun. We are all quite like-minded and want people and our government to make better decisions to protect the Earth. |
Katie
What do you love about nature/the environment? I love that nature provides happiness and joy to all species of flora and fauna. I always enjoy learning something new and sharing my knowledge with others. I am very passionate about protecting the environment and have been inspired since I was younger. I want to inspire others to take action and to make a positive difference so that we all can live in a better world. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? I have been involved with several environmental projects, activities and clubs. At the start of 2020 I created a group at my primary school called the Waste Warriors. We educated our school about sustainability and implemented ways to make our school more environmentally friendly (Nude Food Wednesday, Bin Shift, 10 c collections, bottle cap collection and collecting pens). When I was in Year 5 our main focus for one of the school terms was the environment. We had to do an exhibition and take action about our cause. My cause was Plastic Straws (I took action and lobbied about eliminating plastic straws in different businesses). Some of the businesses included The Little Sparrow Cafe, Fasta Pasta and Cafe Primo. In 2020 for a summative assessment I did a project on Polar Bears; I got in contact with several climate change organisations and organisations to help protect polar bears (WWF, Planet A, Sea World, Monarto Zoo, etc). Taronga Zoo gave the most informative research and important ways how my school could reduce our carbon footprint. Last year at my school I was involved in the Environmental focus group and was greatly involved with a reusable mask project. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? My experience last year at YEC was fantastic and I enjoyed the camp, and meeting new people. I loved working with other students with the same environmental focus as me and could share my passion with everyone. I love that the Youth Environment Council is such an inspiring youth group and I’ve been surrounded with support and ideas. |
Keira
What do you love about nature/the environment? I love everything about nature and the environment but I especially love the ocean and marine wildlife. I have grown up on such a beautiful coastline and I have always been eager to do whatever it takes to protect the local marine species at Lipson Cove. I really enjoy encouraging others to also look after the environment. Growing up on a farm has also allowed me to help my dad plant 1000 trees a year. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? The environmental projects and actions that I have been a part of include being a part of the YEC for the last three years, with this year being my fourth. I have achieved a lot in the past few years to help save the environment. This includes the incredible signage at Lipson Cove to inform people and protect the three most iconic species at Lipson Cove. I have since been awarded the young citizen of the year for Tumby Bay. I have recently done work experience with National Parks and Wildlife, and Landscape SA. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? The YEC has honestly been the best experience of my life. I have learnt so much, and I have made so many friends with the same environmental mindset. The YEC has also encouraged me to do amazing projects and keep cleaning up beaches, protect what I love and for others to do the same. |
Layla
What do you love about nature/the environment? I've always had a passion for the environment. But my most favourite thing would have to be animals! I thoroughly enjoy spending time with them, whether it be out in nature or just spending time with my pets and when you love something you want to protect it. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? Since I became aware of climate change, I've been involved in a few different things. In 2019 there was a large protest which I couldn’t make so instead I went to school wearing yellow clothing which was another way to show you care, although it was against the school rules. Later that year I organised and ran a sewing day in my school. I got students to bring in old tops and I turned them into fresh-produce bags. Then when I moved to my current school, I joined the Green Team (our school’s environment team) and helped set up a Nude Food Day. Last year I joined the YEC and successfully refurbished two garden beds at the back of our school with Olivia (another YEC member) and the Green Team. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? I’m super excited for my second year at the YEC and can’t wait to get started on a project. Probably the best thing about the YEC is being able to work and collaborate with like-minded people on environmentally friendly projects. I absolutely loved the camp and made so many new friends. My experience has been amazing and very memorable and I’m so excited that I get to do it all again. |
Manil
What do you love about nature/the environment? I admire all the animal species that live in it and understanding the values of nature. What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? I did a project on awareness of 3 endangered species in my first year in the YEC program. What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? It was incredible to be part of helping the community and the one thing I love about the YEC is understanding the values of what they do in helping nature and the species that live in it. |
Mollie
What do you love about nature/the environment? There are so many things I love about our planet’s incredible natural environment! I love the diversity of species – from flora to fauna – and how despite our differences every living thing on this Earth is connected in some way. I love learning about the environment – like its history and evolution, the incredible things animals and plants do that create a balance – a crucial balance that needs restoring. I love admiring natural beauty (I’m always finding myself taking photos of plants on walks!) and surrounding myself in fresh air, chirping birds and the colour green! These are just some of the reasons why appreciating and caring for our environment is so, so important and necessary! What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in? This will be my second year at YEC and my first year as a mentor! Outside of YEC I have actively participated in climate strikes (SS4C) and been involved in all kinds of environmental activist groups! What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC? Although officially I’ve only been involved in the Youth Environment council for a year, I really enjoyed being with like-minded people and contributing to our environment. Through YEC I have made lasting friendships with people just as passionate as me! I have learnt even more about the world around us (something I love to do!) and contributed in inspiring and enlightening other kids about climate action and our planet. I am very grateful for the opportunities YEC has brought me and am looking forward to this year as a mentor! |