Hi! I am a 23 year old Social Worker from Perth Western Australia.

As the Australian Youth Representative I will identify the key issues and concerns of young people across Australia and to develop and present what it’s like to be a young Australian to the United Nations in New York during the 60th sitting of the UN General Assembly.

In mid September 2005 I will travel to New York to join the Australian Mission at the United Nations for two months. But before then I will travel around Australia to meet other Australian young people to find out what it’s like to be them.

For many years I’ve worked with young people from backgrounds including Indigenous people, refugees, people with Special Needs, and homeless people. I have worked in places such as Youth Drop-in Centres, after-hours street Medical Centres for homeless people, Soup Kitchens and Education Support Schools.

Likewise I have worked in international ‘front-line’ programs in places like India and New Orleans. I am also a young man that has suffered major depression, which has fired my passion for demystifying the myths surrounding depression.

My other passions include smiling, Avril Lavigne and the West Coast Eagles.

I currently work as a Child Protection Social Worker at the Department for Community Development office in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka, Western Australia.

My Gran (The ‘G’), Dad, Me and Mum at Graduation. I’m just a little happy…

C’mon! Leighton helped me through my degree.

Me and Andrew (yes, we’re twin brothers).

My uni mates - John, Damo, Sal, Naomi, me, Bobsy and Jane.