These Young Aussies Are Creating The Change Australia Needs Right Now

Sometimes, all it takes is a determined individual and a commitment to doing better to facilitate and encourage change that makes a real difference in the world. That’s why these local legends have made it their business to help create a more ethical, sustainable and equal future for all Aussies.

Here, these Bank Australia customers share some of their biggest career triumphs to date and some of their tips for what we can all do to make a positive impact on the world.

Stacey Batterham, Senior Campaigner At Fair Agenda

In the last 12 months, Stacey Batterham of Fair Agenda has managed to tick a number of important items off her to-do list. None more noteworthy than working alongside campaigners and advocates in Queensland to build and increase the community pressure needed to get abortion care removed from the criminal code in the state.

“The moment the legislation passed Parliament was incredible. The gallery was full of activists, medical professionals and people who’d been harmed because they weren’t able to access the healthcare they needed, and all of them erupted with cheers (and tears),” she explains. “Helping make that possible has to be one of my proudest professional achievements in recent years.”

Not one to rest on her laurels, Stacey is keeping herself busy with a number of campaigns aimed at creating a safer and fairer future for women. These range from issues of gendered violence, safe and legal access to reproductive healthcare, as well as women’s economic equality and security.

“We’re working alongside partners to campaign for adequate funding of the services women rely on to escape family violence,” she adds. “We’re working to make sure people know that much more needs to be done, and to keep up the pressure needed to secure adequate funding of all the services needed to create a safer future for women.”

She recommends those keen on following in her footsteps where activitsm is concerned get involved with organisations that have a positive culture and embrace the potential of young people. “I’d encourage you to surround yourself with people who believe in your ability to make change, are willing to invest in your growth, and are willing to selflessly make space for you to have opportunities to make meaningful impact.”

Jeremy Gay, Communications And Events Manager At Climates

During the last five years, Jeremy Gay has made more than a fair few changes to his life. In transitioning toward a more mindful, socially and environmentally ethical lifestyle, he ditched his life as a graphic designer, studied an environments degree, completed an honours thesis, and plunged himself into meditation, mindfulness and yoga. He’s also been actively involved in the community organisation, Climates, which supports empowering the Australia-Pacific region in working towards a self-identified sustainable future in the harsh face of climate change.

“I’ve had the privilege to see and help Climates communicate Pacific communities’ voices so that they might author their own meaningful responses to climate change,” he says. “I also am a facilitator for the community organisation The Weekly Serve, who offer weekly storytelling gatherings that open the space for people to come together.”

For Jeremy, everything he does is embedded in a deep sense of self-care and compassion, which is what fuels his capacity to be in relationship and support other people and the environment.

“I believe these to be fundamental skills to a sustainable future,” he says. “Given my own context in life, I am so privileged and grateful to be afforded so many opportunities to cultivate this in my life. For me to be able to offer the opportunity for others to explore what that might mean for them is a true gift.”

Sashenka Worsman, Former CEO Of Oaktree

As the recently departed CEO of Australia’s largest youth-run organisation, Oaktree, and the youngest-ever board member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), Sashenka’s work day was about more than logging on – her job saw her directly impacting lives.

Run entirely by people under the age of 26, Oaktree takes a holistic approach to helping people break out of poverty cycle. In the past 24 months, they’ve trained and engaged more than 1000 young Aussies keen to contribute to their mission across the country.

“We champion young people in everything we do – be it our Student Ambassador Program, which trains and empowers young people to turn thoughts into action, or meeting with leaders of our nation to ensure we create a more just world.”

In her position at ACFID, Sashenka aimed to meaningfully engage young people in decisions that disproportionately impact their lives. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that every day was different for Sashenka.

“One day, I could be meeting with members of parliament and government institutions to advocate for more and better aid,” she explains. “The next day could have me writing or approving strategy within the organisation and managing a team of young executives to report to our board of directors.”

Currently, Oaktree is busy focusing on a number of initiatives across Australia, which will help build and increase the capacity of young people to change the country for the better. This is something Sashenka believes we all have the power to do if we remember one simple fact.

“You’re not just the leaders of tomorrow, you’re the leaders of today,” she says. “Get out there and do whatever you can to ensure the world you believe in can become reality – whether it’s speaking up when you witness injustice, volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about, or joining a movement of others to elevate your voices.”

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(Lead image: Helena Lopes via Unsplash)

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Want to do your bit to make the planet a better place, now and in the future? Bank Australia doesn’t lend money to businesses involved in planet-harming industries like fossil fuels, live animal exports, gambling, arms, or tobacco, instead they invest your money into the creation of equal-opportunity and affordable housing, renewable energy, and not-for-profit organisations. Join the clean money movement today.