We’re saying goodbye to Youth Advisory Board members Conor, Beau, Kyra and Smrithi. Conor, Beau, Kyra and Smrithi are stepping down from the Matilda Centre’s Youth Advisory Board after years of dedicated service as they turn 25 and age out of the Board. Their passions and insights have shaped research and policy that improves mental health and substance use outcomes for young Australians. Some of their achievements include: Conor - Four years of service on the Youth advisory Board, including as 2022 Chairperson - Informed 45+ research projects - Co-produced the Youth Priorities Project - Represented youth voices at national forums, including a 2024 press conference with federal ministers Beau - Two years of service on the Youth Advisory Board - Informed 35+ research projects - Contributed to national policy, such as the Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing Kyra - Two years of service on the Youth Advisory Board - Informed 25+ research projects and policy submissions - Co-presented at two external collaborator meetings - Participated as an Associate Investigator on two grants Smrithi - Four years of service on the Youth Advisory Board - Informed 45+ research project - Co-authored the ‘Co-produced Youth Priorities Project’ paper - Co-presented at local, national and international conferences - Participated as an Associate Investigator on four grants The Matilda Centre, the Youth Advisory Board and its coordinators would like to thank Conor, Beau, Smrithi and Kyra for their leadership and commitment to ensuring young people are heard in research in policy. We are excited to follow Conor, Beau, Smrithi and Kyra as they take the next steps in their career journeys!