Throughout 2025, the state-wide Rural Youth Ambassadors of South Australia were involved in ongoing discussions with the Department for Education in relation to a specific request to establish a Youth Mental Well-Being Advisory Group to explore the challenges that country young people face and explore possible initiatives that could support their mental well-being.
Last year’s Rural Youth Ambassadors – including our own Zoe van-Overdijk – were invited to express an interest in becoming one of only five involved in the Advisory Group. We are delighted to announce that Zoe’s application was successful; accordingly, she and her four counterparts (from Streaky Bay Area School, Kimba Area School, Karoonda Area and Kangaroo Inn Area School) will:
- present their thinking to senior personnel within the Department for Education
- consult with their peers in country areas
- link with the Department for Education’s review of mental well-being in schools
- consult with key stakeholder groups to gain their interest and support
- communicate regularly with the 2026 Rural Youth Ambassadors
Further, we are equally delighted to announce that current PLHS Year 11 student Alexis Anderson has been appointed as one of the 2026 Rural Youth Ambassadors for South Australia.
The two girls will fly to Adelaide together this coming Sunday – Zoe for her first Advisory Group meeting, Alexis for her first RYA Forum.
We congratulate Zoe, Alexis and their families on this wonderful achievement, and wish them all the best in these important roles.