Inaugural Albany Changemakers Summit, by Youth Leadership Academy Australia creates youth voice for change

Albany’s first Changemakers Summit was held on Tuesday, with students of all ages learning how to position their voices at the forefront of conversations to enact real change in their communities.

Run by Youth Leadership Academy Australia, the inaugural event was attended by more than 70 students from Yakamia Primary School, Mt Lockyer Primary School, North Albany High School, Australian Christian College and St Joseph’s College.

YLAA chief executive Wil Massara said the idea of taking the summit to Albany was sparked six months ago, to ensure regional students don’t miss out on learning vital leadership skills.

“We wanted to take an event to Albany that not only powered young people, but created lasting change in the community,” he said.

“An important part of that was making the youth voice at the forefront of the event and recognising that leadership opportunities and upskilling are often dictated by postcode, meaning the regions can miss out.”

The summit program was designed by a task force of students from each school who met monthly to discuss what young people in Albany need to empower them.

Alongside workshops and leadership challenges, attendees were treated to talks from keynote speakers, Mr Massara — himself only 23-years-old and a 2025 WA Young Achiever — and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient Lexy McDonald who founded the wellness app HerHelp.

Mr Massara said that he believes hearing from other young people, including members of their own student leadership body, creates a greater impact on students.

“The theme of yesterday is that young people are so motivated, but never given skills or permission to do anything, or the belief to back them to create change,” Mr Massara said.

“They identified frustrations and pain points in the community and their schools and will now create solutions to create change.

“We want to give the youth agency that they can change their own worlds.”

Attendees will meet virtually again in three months and present the results of their proposed solutions to issues such as isolation and disconnection.