Hume Youth YMCA Parliament Program

The YMCA Victorian Youth Parliament supports young people aged 16 to 25 to speak up and be heard about issues that they are passionate about and represent their local community.

The Hume YMCA Youth Parliament team will:

  • be supported to write a Bill addressing a state-based issue that they would like to see changed or added into Victorian Legislation.
  • introduce Bills into the Youth Parliament, which will be debated and voted upon during the sitting week held in the chambers of Parliament House, Victoria.
  • engage in a range of personal and professional development sessions, such as attending residential camps.

Previous YMCA Youth Parliament Teams

2024 Hume YMCA Youth Parliament Team

Expansion of AUSLAN education bill 2024

The YMCA Youth Parliament program has concluded for 2024; the Hume City Council team consisted of Natalie Ryan, Rumaysa Salman, Rehan Ali and Hafsa Moallim.

The Hume City Council team debated their Bill on ‘Expansion of AUSLAN education bill 2024’ as part of the Assembly Council on Tuesday 2 July 2024 at Parliament House in the Legislative Assembly. Hume City Council’s Bill passed with parliamentary majority. 

The Hume City Council team refuted Whitehorse City Council’s Bill on ‘Increasing of education and support on intergenerational trauma, intersectionality and cultural competency Bill 2024’ on Thursday 4 July 2024. Whitehorse City Council’s Bill passed with parliamentary Majority. 

All participants demonstrated enthusiasm and passion when addressing their Bill. Well done to the 2024 Hume YMCA Youth Parliament team!

Meet the 2024 Hume YMCA Youth Parliament Team

Natalie Ryan

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What was your overall experience of the YMCA Youth Parliament program?

"My experience of the YMCA Youth Parliament program was incredible and life-changing, and both the experiences of the program itself and the people I met throughout the program’s run will stay with me for a long time."

What did you learn throughout this experience?

"I learnt a lot about debate skills and collaboration within a competitive debating context, as well as the value and power of empathy and kindness in all contexts— being handing a note complimenting your speech from the other side gives me so much confidence, and I learnt that working to give that empowerment to others was so worthwhile."

What was your favourite part about this program?

"My favourite part of the program were the people involved; there were people who were school leaders, university students, high schoolers, advocates, aspiring politicians, and everyone in-between, and I learnt so much about the wide range of youth experiences in Victoria and the experiences and opportunities they were involved in."


Rumaysa Salman

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What was your overall experience of the YMCA Youth Parliament program?

"It was truly rewarding. I learnt many life skills, gained meaningful connections and had the avenue to network with people who may be beneficial in the advancement of my career and life goals. It gave me a sense of purpose, and all the volunteers and parliamentarians formed a tight knit community I will always remember."

What did you learn throughout this experience?

"I learnt how to debate professionally and stand up for what I believe. I gained the courage to speak out and voice my opinion regardless of who was watching, even though it was daunting at first."

What was your favourite part about this program?

"The parliament sitting days provided me with a feeling I am unable to express. I was filled with so much pride, and fear alike, when presenting the bill my team and I have worked for months on. To freely be able to debate with the intention of real change made me feel like I was a part of something greater than myself, and I will always be truly thankful for it. The camps helped me step out of my comfort zone and explore new ideas I would have been too afraid to encounter on my own."


Rehan Ali

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What was your overall experience of the YMCA Youth Parliament program?

"It was an invaluable experience that allowed me to develop my public speaking skills and making new lifelong friends."

What did you learn throughout this experience?

"I learned about the role of government and how parliament actually works. I also gained the opportunity to speak about topics I was Passionate about working together with my team to address them."

What was your favourite part about this program?

"The opportunity to collaborate with other young people who are passionate about making a difference. We shared our ideas and perspectives, and I came away inspired by the collective power of our voices."


Hafsa Moallim

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What was your overall experience of the YMCA Youth Parliament program?

"I absolutely loved every aspect of the Youth Parliament program. I got the chance to really push myself to limits I didn’t know I had."

What did you learn throughout this experience?

"Throughout the program I learnt all about navigating parliament, how to speech write and also how to present myself as professional. I learned so many skills that I definitely will be using in my daily life, moving forward."

What was your favourite part about this program?

It definitely was a bit challenging when being confronted with situations I haven’t been in before such as meeting such a big group of people all at once, however I am so grateful that I did. By meeting people from different places all across Victoria, I now have a more comprehensive understanding of a variety of circumstances."

2023 Hume YMCA Youth Parliament Team

Urban Area Heat Temperature Bill 2023

A Bill for an Act to improve the urban ambient air temperature in Victoria. Average air temperatures in Victoria are rapidly rising and are creating a phenomenon known as urban heat islands. This occurs in areas where structures are highly concentrated and there is less green infrastructure. Heat is absorbed, stored and trapped in these urban areas, instead of being reflected and dispersed by green infrastructure. The effects of Urban Heat Islands can cause and worsen a range of health problems, especially in vulnerable populations. These include, but are not limited to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heart attacks. There are also other significant negative climate change effects caused by the increase in ambient air temperature.

This Bill will mitigate these effects by implementing more green and environmentally friendly infrastructure by ensuring new developments are constructed with lighter coloured roofs, implementing ‘green roofs’ for high-rise buildings, and increasing canopy coverage across Victoria. Additionally, a scheme will be established to encourage local communities to plant trees. Furthermore, this Bill will provide a public education campaign to raise awareness of the issue. Once implemented, this Bill will increase living standards for individuals who live and work in densely constructed areas, and will increase the resilience of communities to the heat-related effects of climate change. It will also provide several benefits for those living in urban areas. These include improved living standards and more resilience to the heat related effects of climate change.

Meet the 2023 Hume YMCA Youth Parliament Team

Matthew Lillywhite, Riya Sharma, Sarah Hanoona, and Lorjel Sia

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For further information please contact Youth Services on 9205 2556 or email youth@hume.vic.gov.au

This program is in collaboration with the YMCA and Hume Youth Services.