Koorie Youth Council

We are proud to be hosting our 2023 Koorie Youth Summit at various locations on the lands of the Gunai Kurnai peoples’ in Lakes Entrance, Victoria. Our three day conference is an opportunity which is extended to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged between 18-28 years who live permanently in Victoria. The Koorie Youth Summit attracts an audience of young people from regional, rural and metro communities throughout the state. It is a space designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to connect, grow and thrive.

With more than 100 youth delegates expected to attend, this will be our first conference following the global COVID-19 Pandemic and it is set to be a deadly one. We will be hearing from prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and advocates who are paving the way forward for a better future for our young Mob. As well as that, KYC will be offering youth delegates the opportunity to participate in a rich cultural and social program that celebrates the strengths of our people.

To ensure the event is available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, KYC provides support for young people traveling from regional and rural areas. Koorie Youth Council seeks to ensure the Summit is an inclusive and safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with diverse lived and cultural experiences.

Registration details:
Registrations open on Saturday 25 February 2023 at 9.00AM AEDT and close on Monday 13 March at 5.00PM AEDT.

Please note, tickets are limited to <5 tickets> per person/organisation. For Group Bookings, please contact admin@koorieyouth.org.au to finalise the booking.

Register here

A little bit about our deadly artwork and artist for 2023 – Siona.

“My name is Siona, and I have strong connections to the Moiradu tribe of the Bangerang Nation, Kerrupmara tribe of the Gunditjmara Nation and Wiradjuri through my mother. My father is a Murri from Queensland. He belongs to Kukuyalanji and Girramay tribes. I love spending time with my family and I really love doing my First Nation art by using different mediums like using canvas and digital art.

This artwork is about youth and about how everyone comes from different mobs and places and [represents] everyone coming together as one to talk [about] what is important to us young people. The artwork design is possum skin pelts in a circle and each pelt represents different mob within Victoria. The circle represents a yarning circle and this is where our voice is being heard. The background represents my cultural connection to the Murray River. I chose the colour purple to pay respect to a special sister girl.”

The Koorie Youth Summit is the largest gathering in Victoria created for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18-28 years. Since 2014, Koorie Youth Council (KYC) has hosted the event to create a safe space for young mob to gather from around the state to connect with each other, discuss what is important to us, be proud, learn, share and celebrate our culture.

Each year, our Summit centres around a theme, and features deadly speakers and yarning circles and workshops. Previous speakers have included Uncle Archie Roach, Adam Briggs, Adam Goodes, Aunty Di Kerr, Tunchai Redvers, as well as members of our Executive and deadly young people.