A conversation with young volunteer leaders from across Australia

As part of National Youth Volunteer Week, we are bringing together young volunteer leaders from across Australia to share their stories, explore what leadership looks like today and discuss how organisations can create opportunities for more young people to thrive.

What young volunteers want organisations to know – Lessons Learnt

Make the pathway clear

Young people may want to volunteer but not know where to begin. Visible opportunities, relatable language and outreach through schools, universities and youth-relevant channels can help them take that first step.

Offer flexibility and support

Study, work, transport and wellbeing all shape how young people can participate. Flexible roles and welcoming people who are willing to teach can make the difference between exclusion and belonging.

Listen to young people

Young volunteers bring skills, lived experience and fresh perspectives. Meaningful inclusion means involving them in decisions and creating opportunities with them, not simply for them.

Young volunteers need welcome, trust and support

Belonging develops when organisations are warm, willing to teach and open to young people’s ideas. Intergenerational teams are strongest when experience is shared and learning goes both ways.

Design opportunities with young people

Organisations and decision-makers should consult young volunteers directly rather than making assumptions about what they need. Their lived experience and perspectives can improve programs, policies and the systems around volunteering.

Meet the Moderator –

Dr Felix Ho

Australian of the Year (NT) 2025 and Inaugural National Volunteer of the Year 2025

Dr Felix Ho is a doctor, volunteer leader and passionate advocate for young people, Felix has dedicated more than 30 years to volunteering. 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.

Meet the Moderator – Dr Felix Ho

Australian of the Year (NT) 2025 and Inaugural National Volunteer of the Year 2025

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.

“Through volunteering, you create not just friends, peers and networks for life, but an additional extended family as well.”

Five stories. Five pathways into leadership

This panel brings together young people with diverse volunteering experiences. Together they represent different regions of Australia, different pathways into volunteering and different perspectives on what leadership means today.

Molly Croft - NSW

NSW 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

National Volunteer of the Year Finalist

Molly Croft is a youth advocate, fundraiser, Youth Volunteer Award recipient and National Volunteer of the year Finalist who has transformed her lived experience into support for children and families affected by cancer. Through fundraising, advocacy and public speaking, she has inspired thousands of Australians and raised more than $2 million for children’s charities.

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When volunteers become family

“They weren’t just volunteers. They became family. They became people I leaned on during the hardest times of my life.”

Molly Croft - NSW

NSW 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

National Volunteer of the Year Finalist

Molly Croft is a youth advocate, fundraiser, Youth Volunteer Award recipient and National Volunteer of the year Finalist who has transformed her lived experience into support for children and families affected by cancer. Through fundraising, advocacy and public speaking, she has inspired thousands of Australians and raised more than $2 million for children’s charities.

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.

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Turning a second chance into purpose

“For me, volunteering has always come back to making something meaningful out of the second chance I’ve been given and hopefully using my story to help or inspire someone else.”

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.

Fletcher Pearce - SA

2026 National Volunteering Conference panelist

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.

Confidence, belonging and fulfilment

“For me, volunteering gives a lot of self-confidence, a sense of belonging and fulfilment.”

Fletcher Pearce - SA

2026 National Volunteering Conference panelist

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.

Lucy Stevens - SA

SA 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

2026 National Volunteering Conference panelist

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.

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Finding a way to make a difference

“When you connect young people to causes they care about, they can see that they can actually make a difference, even if it’s just an hour a week or informal volunteering.”

Lucy Stevens (SA)

SA 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient

2026 National Volunteering Conference panelist

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.

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.

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Receiving more than you give

“When we talk about volunteering, we always talk about giving and doing things for others. But I found that I got so much more out of it than what I gave, and I still absolutely do.”

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.

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