YACSA

03/06/2026

⏰ ⏰ Time is running out to apply to join the YACSA team!

We are recruiting for a Youth Participation Intern to support a project focused on strengthening youth participation across the state, in partnership with the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA.

In this role, you’ll consult with young people, research good participation practices and support the development of practical resources for the sector.

If you’re passionate about youth voice, collaboration and systems change, we’d love to hear from you.

‼️Applications close Monday 8 June at 5pm.

Apply or find out more via our website👉 yacsa.com.au/join-the-team

ID: On a grey overlay over most of the image, a large green heading reads ‘We’re hiring,’ with smaller black body text underneath. In the photo behind part of a YACSA logo is visible on the back of a black tshirt.

02/06/2026

Young people are making extraordinary contributions to communities across South Australia every day, driving initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

From improving access to education and inclusion to supporting vulnerable young people, South Australia's young leaders are creating positive change across the state.

The 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards SA over the weekend were a fantastic celebration of these contributions. Congratulations to all of the semi-finalists, finalists and winners.

We are especially proud to celebrate YACSA Board Member Lou Potter, who was named the recipient of the Department of Human Services SA Pride Award.

Outside of YACSA, Lou is a Senior Consultant at KPMG, a member of the South Australian Council of Social Service’s Policy Council and was the first trans President of UN Youth SA.

Lou has led a wide range of initiatives, including establishing a Dungeons & Dragons club at The Brocas Youth Space in 2016 and fostering collaboration between UN Youth SA and SACE. She has also contributed to reviews and policy development across the NDIS and health systems in South Australia and nationally.

We are privileged to have young leaders like Lou on our Board, helping to shape our organisation and champion a future where young people’s voices, experiences and leadership are valued at every level of decision-making.

Congratulations, Lou, on this well-deserved recognition.

2026 award winners:

💫 2026 South Australian Young Achiever of the Year – Bailee Phillips
🔬 Adelaide University STEM Award – Edward Robinson
🌈 Department of Human Services Pride Award – Lou Potter
🌟 Department of Human Services Aboriginal Achievement Award – Kahlia Gibson
🌍 University Senior College Create Change Award – Bailee Phillips
💡 Sweat Female Tech Entrepreneur Award – Amelia Griffin
👟 Aceit Transport Solutions Sports in the Community Award – Hugo Taheny
📚 Credit Union SA Education Award – Suriya Down
⚖️ Websters Lawyers Achievement in Law Award – Madeleine Perrett
💼 Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award – Eloise Hall
🧰 South Australian Skills Commission Outstanding Apprentice Award – Cooper Mann
🎨 Carclew Creative Achievement Award – Charlee Watt

Find out more about the winners here 👉 https://awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/sa/current-winners/

ID: (1) All award winners are pictured together on stage with Hon Katrine Hildyard MP and Cheyne Rich MP holding their awards. (2) Hon Katrine Hildyard MP and Lou Potter pictured together smiling, with Lou holding her award. (3) Lou Potter and YACSA CEO, Natalie Matulick pictured standing together and smiling.

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to reflect on the role we each play in creating meaningful and lasting change.

The 2026 theme, ‘All In’, calls on all Australians to step forward with commitment, responsibility and action – not just this week, but every day.

At YACSA, we recognise the importance of listening to and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, communities and leaders, and continuing to strengthen relationships grounded in respect, truth-telling and self-determination.

Reconciliation Australia

ID: Large black text in the middle of green tile reads ‘ALL IN FOR RECONCILIATION’. Around text are ‘stickers’ reading ‘I’M IN’ over pink, blue, green and yellow striped backgrounds.

25/05/2026

There’s not long left to register for YACSA’s May Communities of Practice session: Responding to complexity.

This session explores how youth services across SA are responding to increasingly complex and overlapping needs experienced by young people.

It offers a space for workers to reflect on practice, share insights, and critically examine the challenges, and most importantly, the strengths of youth service delivery.

🗓️ Thursday 28 May
⏰ 10 – 11:30am
📍 Online
❓ Youth sector workers, team leaders, managers and senior practitioners

Please note, places are limited to support meaningful discussion.

Register now to reserve your spot 👉 https://events.humanitix.com/yacsa-community-of-practice-may

Communities of Practice run bi-monthly and are free and open to youth sector workers across SA. You’re welcome to attend one session or return regularly, and they are hosted online so that we can also engage our regional colleagues.

ID: White background with a dark green stripe across the bottom. In the centre is green text, with a line in white on the dark green. Across the top is a dot-web design in pale purple and green. There is a green YACSA logo in the bottom right corner overlapping the green and white.

25/05/2026

Last week our CEO and Policy Officer met with Senator Charlotte Walker, a strong example of what is possible when young people are genuinely included in leadership and policy spaces.

During our conversation we explored youth voice in policy and decision-making, ideas around civics and citizenship education and how we better support young people to engage with systems leadership and public life.

Thank you Charlotte, we deeply value your insight, advocacy and commitment to young people.

ID: YACSA CEO and Senator Charlotte Walker stand together both in long coats, smiling, in front of a wall of large windows.

24/05/2026

YACSA’s CEO Nat was delighted to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Aboriginal Power Cup earlier this week.

It was inspiring to see over 500 young people come together from schools across South Australia, including the Riverland, South East, APY Lands and Ceduna.

Power Community Ltd are a YACSA member delivering this incredible initiative supporting Aboriginal young people to engage in school through culture, connection, leadership and sport.

Thank you to Power Community, the Department for Education, South Australia and Aboriginal Pathways - Department for Education (SAASTA) for having us!

Photos of female and male grand final winning teams from O'Loughlin Catholic College – Power Community.

ID: (1) In photo taken from lower grandstand the Aboriginal Power Cup logo is visible on an empty oval. Some of the front few rows of the grandstand are visible, with young people and school and community representatives in seats. (2) Winning teams pose for team photos on the ground wearing their medals, with someone in the middle holding their trophy.

22/05/2026

Want to help shape stronger youth participation across SA? 🌱

YACSA is recruiting a Youth Participation Intern to support a project focused on strengthening youth participation across the state, in partnership with the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA.

In this role, you’ll consult with young people, research good participation practices and support the development of practical resources for the sector.

If you’re passionate about youth voice, collaboration and systems change, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply or find out more 👉 yacsa.com.au/join-the-team

ID: On a grey overlay over most of the image, a large green heading reads ‘We’re hiring,’ with smaller black body text underneath. In the photo behind part of a YACSA logo is visible on the back of a black tshirt.

21/05/2026

Are you aged 17–25 and already involved in leadership, community initiatives, or work to influence issues that matter?

⏰ Time is running out to register for our first youth co-lab session: what's possible together?

youth co-lab is a new initiative from YACSA that brings together young people who are already doing the work – creating space to connect, share experiences and keep building momentum.

Whether you’re part of a youth advisory group, leading initiatives, or making a difference on issues you care about, this is a space to learn from others, stay energised, and sharpen your impact.

📢 Connect with others doing similar work and build your network.
📢 Strengthen the skills that matter to you.
📢 Share honest insights on what’s working – and what’s not.
📢 Stay motivated with ongoing support from peers who get it.
📢 Collaborate with others to expand your impact.

We know young leaders already have the passion and vision to make a difference, and youth co-lab exists to back you.

Come along to connect with others, build your capability, and amplify the work you're already doing.

youth co-lab: For young people already making moves.

Register here now 👉 https://events.humanitix.com/youth-co-lab-may

Due to the nature of these sessions, we’re launching them as in-person opportunities. Living in a regional area? Follow the link and sign up to the mailing list to help us gauge interest for more sessions in the future!

ID: On a grey, crinkled paper background is a youth co-lab logo, with black text, except for ‘co-‘ in red. Beside ‘youth’ and about ‘lab’ is a grey hand and megaphone graphic, with red shapes mimicking sound coming out to the right. There is black text underneath, with ‘already’ in the subheading circled in red, and there is a red stripe along the bottom with a white URL and a green YACSA logo overlaying it.

20/05/2026

This week is National Volunteer Week, honouring the contributions of volunteers across the country.

The theme, ‘Your Year to Volunteer’ invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents, in ways that work for them, can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities.

Across the state, young people are embodying this theme every day – stepping up in their schools, communities and organisations to lead initiatives, advocate for change, and support their peers.

Their energy, creativity and commitment continue to shape a more inclusive and hopeful future.

We also want to recognise the many volunteers who support young people across our communities – mentoring, coaching, listening, and creating spaces where young people feel safe, valued and empowered to grow.

Whether you’re a young person taking action, or someone walking alongside them, your contribution matters. This is your year to volunteer – and to be part of something bigger.

ID: Tile is butter yellow, with wavy patterns coming in from each corner in ombré red, white and blue. In the centre is ‘National Volunteer Week’ in blue and red text, and the theme, dates and tag in black.