For the Y WA, volunteering is about more than just giving time; it’s about learning new skills, forming connections, and making meaningful contributions to the community.
Take Connor Thompson for example, a young person who first connected with the Y WA through Y HQ in Leederville, where he performed with his band, Centre, and regularly attended all-ages gigs.
What started as a few fun nights enjoying live music in an inclusive venue for young people, soon evolved into a journey of growth, leadership, and purpose for Connor. He was invited to join Youth Squad, a volunteer leadership program for young people aged 16 to 25 and it was through this program that he discovered his passion for events and community engagement.
Connor quickly became a key member of the Youth Squad team, taking the lead on major events like HQ’s Youth Week celebrations. As Event Manager, he secured sponsorship from leading skate retailer Beyond Skate, engaged local businesses, and helped transform a single event into a precinct-wide celebration of youth, culture and community.
Sammie Fletcher, Youth Events Officer at Y HQ, works closely with Connor and the Youth Squad. She credits the Youth Squad as a key part of Connor’s growth.
“Youth Squad gave Connor a safe and supportive space to explore, experiment, and grow,” Sammie said.
“From event coordination and marketing to stakeholder engagement and production, the hands-on experience helped him build confidence, connections and a clear pathway into the events industry.”
Connor adds, “Youth Squad was a launching platform where I could try new things and learn what works and what doesn’t in a supportive space. That’s an opportunity you don’t really get anywhere else.”
Now at age 20, Connor works as Operations Coordinator at Mellen Events, an official partner of Live Nation, helping deliver some of WA's biggest concerts, including the Kings Park Concert Series.
“Connor’s story shows us what’s possible when young people are supported, trusted, and given the chance to lead - not just for their own growth, but for the communities they help shape,” said Sammie.
Another young person who understands the power of volunteering is Josh Peckover. Josh joined the Y WA Youth Parliament in 2019 at the age of 16, seeing it as a meaningful opportunity to meet other young people, learn new skills, and share his perspective with decision-makers.
After two years as a participant - including a role as Youth Leader of the Opposition - Josh wasn’t ready to say goodbye. He continued his involvement in a volunteer capacity through the Youth Parliament Taskforce.
The Taskforce is the engine behind Youth Parliament: a team of 15 passionate young volunteers who manage everything from communications and operations to education and training. Their efforts ensure the program remains a high-impact, youth-led initiative that gives young people a real say in the issues that matter to them.
Josh volunteered on the Taskforce for two years before stepping into the role of Program Coordinator in 2024; turning his volunteering experience into full-time employment.
“Starting as a participant in 2019, I’ve been fortunate to see the program grow over the five years I’ve been involved. Volunteering gave me the confidence, skills, and network to step into a leadership role - and now, a career,” said Josh.
Josh’s journey highlights the true impact of volunteering: building skills, fostering purpose, and creating clear pathways into leadership and employment.
Connor and Josh’s stories also reflect a broader trend across Western Australia. Young people are leading the way in volunteering, with a participation rate of 78.2% - the highest of any age group in the state and across Australia (State of Volunteering Report WA, 2023).
This local trend mirrors a national shift: the proportion of Australians aged 18–24 who volunteered formally through an organisation rose from 25.0% in April 2022 to 29.7% in April 2023 (Volunteering Australia, 2023).