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NSWALC Youth Advisory Committee appointed with co-chairs elected to lead the youth NSW Aboriginal land rights priorities

23 September, 2025

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) has been appointed, with the strategic direction set for the coming two years.

The newly formed Committee recently met in Parramatta to discuss challenges and opportunities, and to elect Co-Chairs to provide guidance, leadership and structure to future meetings, including priorities for activating youth across the Land Rights movement.

The Committee represents Aboriginal leaders from across New South Wales, united in their commitment to strengthening the voice of youths in the Land Rights network and wider community. The NSWALC Youth Advisory Committee representatives are:

  • Illarrah Roberts – North Coast Region and Member of the Jali LALC
  • Dre Wicks – South Coast Region and Member of the Eden LALC
  • Latrell Allan – Northern Region and Member of the Tamworth LALC
  • Lowana Ruttley – Northern Western Region and Member of the Baradine LALC
  • Benjamin Paul Duncan Harris – Wiradjuri Region and Member of the Murrin Bridge LALC
  • Mea-mei Stanbury – Sydney/Newcastle Region and Member of the Deerubbin LALC
  • Jada Hogg – Western Region and Member of the Menindee LALC
  • Brittney Lavis – Mid North Coast Region and Member of both the Purfleet Taree LALC and Ngerrie Grafton LALC

The two Co-Chairs who have been appointed are Illarah Roberts and Dre Wicks, a decision endorsed by the Council.

Chair and Councillor for the Sydney/Newcastle Region, Raymond Kelly, said he was looking forward to working closely with the newly appointed Committee and is excited to see them do their part in ensuring Aboriginal youth remain engaged with the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights movement.

“Our Youth Advisory Committee is a fundamental part of NSWALC as they play a pivotal role in engaging and ensuring young Aboriginal peoples across NSW understand the importance of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights movement,” Deputy Chair Hampton said.

“I am excited to work alongside this Committee over the next two years and watch them step into leadership roles within their regions as the voices of the next generation.”

“We congratulate all representatives for their leadership, energy and commitment to creating lasting, positive change for young Aboriginal people, and thank all young people who applied to be on the Committee.”

The NSWALC Youth Advisory Committee consists of nine young Aboriginal people aged 18-25 from each of the nine NSWALC Regions – Sydney/Newcastle, Mid North Coast, North Coast, Northern, South Coast, Wiradjuri, Central, North West and Western.

Immediate agenda items for the YAC include developing a youth engagement strategy and continuing to guide NSWALC on key policies and programs impacting youth.

Illarrah Roberts, Co-Chair of NSWALC YAC and representative from the North Coast Region, said she was honoured to be elected by her peers and is looking forward to working closely with Dre to lead the agenda and youth land rights movement moving forward in NSW.

“This is an honour for me, and I am looking forward to getting straight to work. There are key opportunities we have identified to strengthen the role of Aboriginal youth in driving positive change within our communities. I am excited to serve as a Co-Chair, working closely with Dre and the wider YAC to drive these initiatives,” Illarrah Roberts said. 

“We will guide the YAC’s work, including the implementation of the Youth Engagement Strategy and efforts to strengthen youth engagement within the Land Rights system across New South Wales.”

Dre Wicks, Co-Chair of NSWALC YAC and representative from the South Coast Region, reflected this sentiment and shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the YAC in its upcoming work for this term.

“It’s essential we, as youth, embed cultural identity, leadership, and self-determination in all our initiatives. The YAC will ensure that young Aboriginal peoples’ voices are meaningfully engaged in State-based decision making,” Dre Wicks said.

“I am looking forward to making young voices heard and showing how Aboriginal youth, as the next generation, can make a change in this State. We will not stand silent anymore.”

If you would like to connect with the NSWALC Youth Advisory Committee for engagement or opportunities, please email yac@alc.org.au. For more information on NSWALC, visit NSWALC Youth Advisory Committee page.

 

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