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' roles are 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.
Callum
What do you love about nature/the environment?
I love the unique environments and ecosystems all around the world and especially here in Australia, and I also love all the unique plant and animal species and learning about them. I love spending time in nature and I love new experiences with nature. 

What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?
As well as doing the YEC, in 2022 I participated in the Youth Coastal Ambassadors Project, which was another great experience. I am also a member of my school's Care for Country group.

What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?
This is my third year doing YEC, and my second year as a mentor, and I have enjoyed all of it. I love the YEC because it is such an amazing opportunity and being involved with it allows you to experience so many new things that you wouldn't be able to do elsewhere, and it gives you that extra support to be able to make projects to help the environment and give back to it in your own unique way. It is also a perfect environment to make new friends and spend time with like-minded people, and pushes you out of your comfort zone to make you a better person.
Django
What do you love about nature/the environment?
I love to be out in the natural world and exploring different habitats. I particularly love birdlife and how it interacts with the plants and landscapes. It amazes me how the ecosystems work to create a bond that support each other. My favourite bird and the one that especially got me into bird watching is the Superb-fairy wren, they are a tiny brave bird with the males being bright blue and they have been hopping around me and my backyard for as long as I can remember.

What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?
I am lucky enough to be a part of the YEC since 2022. I have an environmental project ’Create and restore habitat for Fleurieu birds’ that I have been working on for two years.

I have planted over 1000 indigenous plants over many beautiful and diverse ecosystems.  I have also experimented with making my own nesting hollows, assembling kit bird boxes, installing them and monitoring them. I have also started a small nursery to grow specific species that belong to the different ecosystems I have been restoring through different weed control methods.

I have memberships with Birds SA and Birdlife Australia. I participate in bird counting with local groups, Birds SA and Birdlife Australia. I also participate in projects through my school such as the Youth Climate Summit and do voluntary planting and bush care with a local Friends Group where I can.

What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?
I started the YEC in 2022 as a member and last year becoming a mentor. I enjoy helping others, and I have loved meeting like-minded people who all inspire and push each other to achieve great projects - it can make such a difference! I was ecstatic that I got the chance to make a change in my first year. I learnt lots about revegetating, seed collecting and a bunch of other crucial things to create a sustainable environment for birdlife. But my favourite take way is how much the staff try and build great leadership among the mentors and they boost our confidence. They do all these things through little workshops that can improve our leadership and public speaking skills.

Without the support of the YEC I may have not been able to turn my passion into a meaningful project that I could work on.
Astyn
What do you love about nature/the environment?
I love the beauty of nature. I love doing photography, so the beauty of a beach at sunset, a mountainous national park in the rain, or a huge pine forest just out of my hometown is incredible to me. I love seeing creatures in their natural habitats, the majesty of the landscapes in my local area, and the way that all aspects of nature manage to work together in perfect harmony.

What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?
Aside from being in the YEC for 3 years, I have unfortunately not been involved in many environmental groups. I was somewhat involved with my school’s YELP group when I was in Year 6; however, I was not allowed to actually be a part of the official group, as I was already a School Captain. Despite that, I always look to be a part of whatever I can, such as school clean-ups or preparing environment-related experiences for my school’s SRC.

What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?
I have really enjoyed being a part of the YEC, and am very excited to be going into my third year as a mentor. I love that the YEC is such a welcoming group. We are all there for the same reasons with the same interests and a common goal; to protect and raise awareness for our environment. There are so many opportunities within the group, so many ideas and possibilities for our projects, and so many like-minded people to meet. For me, it has been a truly unforgettable experience, and I hope to help other people feel the same way that I do.
Luci
What do you love about nature/the environment?
I love going camping and 4 wheel driving in the bush, seeing how the different environments change as we go through them, and getting to stop and explore them. I love swimming in natural springs especially the Dalhousie springs. I love looking at the landscapes in the hills, and seeing all the huge trees, and farmlands. I love the beaches in Adelaide and swimming and walking around them. I love when I get to see the sunset or sunrises, when we’re camping in the bush or having dinner near the beach. I really love learning about the environment and any changes we can make to help the environment. I love playing sport in nature, especially playing soccer in the hills. I love learning about the biology of different animals in nature, and observing them. 

What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?
I have been involved in YEC, RYPEN and rotary clubs, The Adelaide Show (in a crocheting competition which I won), Junior house captain, SVC group (environment and facilities). 
And all of my sport teams: Hahndorf Soccer Club, Hahndorf Cricket Club, volleyball for Unley High School.

What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?
My YEC experience had been one of the best experiences, I’ve met lots of great friends through it and have learnt a lot about leadership and how you can help make an impact. I love the YEC because of all the connections I’ve made  with people that have the same passion as me, all the support and advice you get while your doing your project, and the amazing and kind staff members that help organise and run everything!
Stella
What do you love about nature/the environment?
I am in awe of the power of nature; how the tiniest seed can grow the tallest tree. I love how fresh it feels after a storm, how it restores me on challenging days and gives me the time and space to reflect on my place in the world.

​What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?
In year 6 I was part of our school’s Environmental Leadership team, updating our recycling bin system, supporting compost collection in classrooms, and upcycling old clothes to make a rug for the reception classroom. In addition to YEC, last year I was part of the Youth Coastal Ambassadors program and was involved in a series of workshops with the Food Embassy. I also enjoy helping out on planting days and working bees at the Seaford Wetlands Community Garden.

What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?
My favourite thing about the YEC has been meeting new people who are really inspired to look after our environment in many different ways. Everyone is really friendly and has helped me learn about the power of taking action in small and large ways.
Esther
What do you love about nature/the environment?I love the outdoors and nature along with the wildlife that call it home. I love exploring new things in nature such as pretty views and amazing wild life and how the eco system works in different places as well as just exploring the natural environment around me. I love learning about how everything is connected within the environment. When spending time in nature, be it the beach or the outback, I feel good, I think more clearly, and feel healthier.   


What environmental/sustainability projects, actions or groups have you been involved in?I am involved in many different projects. 

I was a part of 2023 coastal ambassadors where we learnt about the coast and the natural environment along the coastline, including eco systems, cultural significance and dreaming stories for Aboriginal Australians. 

I also took part in the War on Waste program, where we tried to be more conscious about the waste we are producing. The school supporting the program really lead with the War on Waste program and minimised waste across the school community.  With successful communication and education for students and parents, the school became waste free.  

I help facilitate The Bee Project where we learn about the school's beehive, and we maintain and collect the honey from the hive along with selling it an eco-market.  My previous YEC work focused on this project. 


What has your YEC experience been like? What do you love about the YEC?My experience with YEC has been amazing. I love that I can connect with like mind people and that we can learn from one another and seek help from the staff when it is need. I love how nice and supportive everyone is to each other.  I especially love hearing about everyone elses amazing projects, which inspires me to expand on mine. I really value the YEC staff, their knowledge, experience and support as I have limited environmental support outside of YEC.  I always leave YEC events feeling motivated and inspired to learn more, and create change within my home, school and community. 
Harry