Matilda joined the CIC two years ago, bringing with her firsthand experience as a young person navigating the workforce in Warrnambool and Moyne. She stepped into the Chair role at the beginning of 2024, leading the committee’s efforts to collaborate with local stakeholders to provide meaningful employment pathways for young people.
The CIC is part of the National Youth Employment Body (NYEB), an initiative established by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. This body aims to align industry needs with youth employment, ensuring young people can secure sustainable and rewarding jobs. Matilda’s leadership within the CIC has reinforced the importance of local youth finding local job opportunities that are both meaningful and sustainable.
It was like a scene from Bridgerton, with a live string band playing Coldplay, orange juice and champagne glasses—it was incredible.
Matilda’s journey began at Brophy, where she started as a receptionist under a traineeship model while completing her Certificate III in Business Administration. Her lived experience as a trainee provided invaluable insights into the challenges young people face when seeking employment in the region. Recognising her potential, then-Chair Ben Clegg and manager, Kim Watts, invited her to join the CIC to represent youth perspectives.
Navigating the committee environment was initially a learning curve for Matilda, as she adjusted to corporate discussions and policy-making processes. However, her dedication and willingness to learn opened doors for professional development, including opportunities to work closely with the Brotherhood of St Laurence at the national level. She has since taken on a paid role as a Project Officer for the CIC while concurrently working toward a Diploma of Community Services.
One of Matilda’s most rewarding projects has been revitalising the L2P program, which helps young people gain their required driving hours for a license. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in volunteer mentors led to long waiting lists for learner drivers. Recognising the urgency, the CIC launched a social media strategy and outreach campaign to recruit more volunteers. These efforts successfully increased mentor numbers and reduced wait times, making it easier for young people to achieve their driving goals.
Matilda highlights the crucial role of transport in accessing education and employment. “Transport is such a big barrier for anyone not living in the CBD,” she notes. “Trying to get to a TAFE class or doing anything outside mainstream education is difficult with limited public transport options.”
Matilda’s dedication to youth advocacy has not gone unnoticed. In July 2024, she was invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Samantha Mostyn as Governor General. Ms. Mostyn, a former Chair of the NYEB Advisory Board, played a pivotal role in creating youth-focused initiatives.
Matilda was deeply honoured to receive the invitation, recognising the significance of having young voices represented at such a high-level event. “There was a very short list of invitations, but she [Samantha Mostyn] was determined to have young people in the room,” she recalls. “Being able to build a relationship with her has given me so much hope that these conversations are happening at a Commonwealth level.”
The experience was surreal for Matilda, who describes the event as a mix of formality and inspiration. “It was like a scene from Bridgerton, with a live string band playing Coldplay, orange juice and champagne glasses—it was incredible.” More importantly, she was empowered by the opportunity to engage directly with influential leaders. “They let us lead the way in conversations with Ministers, and it was so empowering.”
Matilda’s advocacy extends beyond local initiatives to policy influence at the state level. She recently participated in the Victorian Youth Parliament, where her team, Moyne Next Gen, successfully passed the Revitalising Public Transport Services for Rural and Regional Victorians Bill 2024. The bill aimed to improve transportation options for young people in regional areas, reinforcing Matilda’s commitment to addressing the mobility challenges that limit access to education and employment.
The week of Youth Parliament was a whirlwind for Matilda. Between debating bills, flying to Canberra for the swearing-in ceremony, and then returning to Parliament House in Victoria, she balanced an intense schedule that ran from 6:00am to 10:00pm each day.
Matilda has also led a new initiative called the Seedling Framework, which aims to create supportive workplaces for young employees. Instead of focusing on the challenges young people face in employment, the project highlights “green flags” in workplace culture. Using the analogy of growing a plant, the framework helps employers understand the nurturing environment needed for young workers to thrive.
“We’re trying to take an advantaged-thinking approach,” Matilda explained. “Rather than focusing on everything that doesn’t work, we’re showing how businesses can create better environments for young employees.”
Matilda attributes much of her growth to the opportunities she seized, despite facing significant personal challenges. “I had significant life changes during Year 12. I lost my Mum halfway through the year, and it was COVID. Looking back, there was no plan after school—just taking every opportunity I could.”
Her early experiences with Young Vinnies at Emmanuel College instilled in her the importance of service and exploring different opportunities. “Explore your options and make the most out of it,” she advises. “I reflect on my time with Young Vinnies, but there were so many other opportunities I wish I’d taken.”
Now, having moved on from CIC and Brophy, Matilda continues to inspire others with her resilience, determination, and commitment to positive change. Whether working at the grassroots level in Warrnambool or influencing national policies, she remains focused on ensuring young people have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
