Former Bunyip resident Emily Greco is the Victorian Young Member for National Youth Week.EMILY Greco’s passion lies with young people, but the 22-year-old has even more reason to celebrate National Youth Week.
Ms Greco, who grew up in Bunyip, is the Victorian Young Member for National Youth Week, a role which she is relishing.
“I’m really enjoying it,” she said.
“One of my friends was the youth member last year and suggested it would be a good experience.”
National Youth Week is a country-wide initiative, which runs from 28 March to 5 April.
It gives young people a chance to express their ideas and views, celebrate their contribution to their communities as well as take part in events and competitions.
Ms Greco has been busy in the lead-up to National Youth Week: she has been meeting with Young Members in other States and Territories, as well as carrying on her role as president of MONSU (Monash Student Union) Caulfield and keeping up with her fourth year university studies.
Ms Greco moved from Bunyip to St Kilda at 19 to begin a Bachelor of Arts/Social Work degree at Monash University’s Caulfield Campus.
Like many country students, she took a year off before moving to the big smoke and hasn’t looked back.
“I love Bunyip and I go back there every weekend, but I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city,” she said.
The former Marist Sion student began volunteering at the age of 16 with YMCA camping adventures. She has volunteered with the organisation for six years, most recently directing UNO-Y, the Victorian YMCA’s leadership development program.
Ms Greco is familiar with the role of youth ambassador – she was selected as one for the 90th Anniversary Anzac Gallipoli tour in 2005.
That year she also shouldered the responsibility of Premier of Victoria as part of the State Government’s Youth Parliament Program.
Ms Greco was selected from 120 delegates across Victoria during a week-long residential training program, held to prepare participants for the proceedings and protocol of Youth Parliament.
The following year she was selected as one of 40 students to take part in the inaugural Ancora Imparo program at Monash University, designed to support and inspire future leaders.
Ms Greco was elected as MONSU Caulfield president late last year.
“I run a team of students that represent students on campus,” she explains.
“We also organise on campus events.”
But lately, Ms Greco has been busy organising National Youth Week events in Victoria.
Her main focus is on events in the south-east region. She will make a speech at the Emergency Youth Festival in Frankston on 4 April, the closing celebration of National Youth Week.
Ms Greco urged young people in Cardinia to get involved in the celebrations: to “make a move”, as the National Youth Week theme suggests.
The shire’s National Youth Week celebration will be held this Saturday at P.B. Ronald Reserve, Pakenham from 10am to 4pm.
