Monash Youth Connect Speeches

Published on 11 October 2024

What is Monash Youth Connect?

Monash Youth Connect was a celebration dinner that brought young people together to share stories about diversity with the goal of increasing social connection through understanding, networking and relationship building. Seven young speakers made inspiring speeches in front of their families and friends on the night of 26 September. The event was part of Youth Fest 2024 supported by the Victorian Government and Monash Council.

Who organised this event?

The Monash Youth Connect planning committee consisted of eight young people who co-designed this event with the support from Monash Youth Services. The committee members also facilitated the event ushering, MCing, and running an interactive quiz on cultural food. Special thanks to Noemi, Yixi, Vandana, Ana, Livia, Eshan, Jiya and Vihaan.

You can click the following audio files to listen to the inspiring speeches or read the transcripts.

Bree Wang

Bree attends Caulfield Grammar School, Wheelers Hill Campus, and is completing year 10. Bree was a past member of the Monash Youth Ambassadors and has volunteered as a maths tutor for underprivileged children in Indian orphanages. Having multiple volunteering experiences already, Bree is eager to further expand on her community involvement. Her speech(PDF, 30KB) explores how she connects with her cultural heritage.

Bree's speech:

Harshitha

Harshitha is a year 12 student at Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School. She has been a member of the Youth Advisory Committee of Port Phillip Council since 2021, Harshitha is passionate about amplifying youth voices and sharing her own unique intersectional experiences as a queer woman of colour. Harshitha has a passion for storytelling, debating and public speaking. Her speech(PDF, 41KB) explores her personal journey in reconnecting with her mother language.

Harshitha's speech:

Poppy Liu

Poppy is a second-year social work student at RMIT. In 2024 she assisted with the co-design of the ARCUS program an LGBTIQA+ program delivered by Monash Youth Services, for young people aged 14-18 years. Poppy’s speech will inspire you to be proud of who you are.

Poppy's speech:

Arjun Kapoor

Arjun is a year 11 student at Glen Waverley Secondary College. He is currently a member of Monash Youth Committee, as well as the National eSafety Youth Council. Arjun’s speech(PDF, 30KB) explores diversity, migration and how the suburb Glen Waverley has changed so much over the years.

Arjun's speech:

Navya Satish Kumar

Navya is currently pursuing a double degree in Business and IT at Monash University. Navya’s speech explores her cultural identity as an Indian woman raised in Kuwait, who migrated to Australia. She was inspired to share her story(PDF, 25KB) because she knew that her perspective will resonate with many other young Australians.

Navya's speech:

Ana Donnellon

In addition to her various leadership roles at South Oakleigh College, Ana is a member of the Youth Connect planning committee. Her speech(PDF, 36KB) is about exploring personal identity and how her leadership experiences have shaped her.

Ana's speech:

Raghad Yousif

Raghad is a year 12 student at Brentwood Secondary College where she undertakes many leadership initiatives and roles. Her speech(PDF, 29KB) explores her personal experience growing up in Iraq and migrating to Australia with her family.

Raghad's speech: