At yLead’s Australian Student Leadership Conference (ASLC), young leaders poised to enter their final year of school are equipped with tangible skills essential for successful leadership and community empowerment. ASLC is more than a conference; it’s a transformative experience that fosters connection, personal growth, and empowerment In January 2024, ahead of a busy Term 1, yLead ran its signature Year 12 conference in five (5) locations. Students engaged in interactive workshops, heard from inspirational speakers, gained practical tools and strategised how to create meaningful chang ..read more

A better world starts with making better choices. Perhaps the choice to be kind and the choice to explore a new part of the world. To celebrate the completion of 13 years of schooling, a group of 36 Aussies chose to embark on a unique adventure and experience a new culture. Our family of 36 were a combination of school leavers and yLead volunteers who chose to invest in Help Out, a Schoolies Alternative to Cambodia. This group of young people all shared a goal of giving back, choosing adventure, and gaining a wider perspective on life. The eight days in Siem Reap, Cambodia allowed the 2023 ..read more

Rangatira 2023 was a celebration of people, passion, and the ability to make a difference in the world around. This year, participants and the yLead team were graced with the wisdom of the incredible Te Manaia Jennings.  Te Manaia was our first guest speaker of the three-day conference, sharing her passion, knowledge and experience , as a talented artist and Rotorua local. Te Manaia not only empowers women through her art but is also a ardent  advocate for mental health. In a conversation with Te Manaia Jennings, we dive into the wisdom she imparted during her presentation. Openi ..read more

In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotoura was the site of a significant gathering. This gathering was a celebration. A celebration of people, dreams and the tools to make these dreams a reality.  From 24th to 26th of September , the grounds of Rotorua Boys’ High School echoed with the voices, laughter, and determination of New Zealand’s emerging leaders. Leaders from all corners of pure New Zealand land converging together for one sole purpose, Rangatira 2023. What is Rangatira? ‘Rangatira’ is the term that beautifully combines Maori words – Raranga (to weave) and tira (a gro ..read more

The Australian Student Leadership Conference (ASLC) is not just any conference—it’s a transformative experience that empowers Year 12 leaders to make a lasting impact in their communities. We say lasting, because leadership skills are not just handy for a successful final year in high school, but essential tools for life. The ability to understand yourself, connect with others, work to your strengths, organise effectively, communicate clearly, and set and achieve goals are invaluable skills long after high school, as demonstrated by some of our incredible world-changing ASLC alumni. S ..read more

A message from yLead CEO, Bel Yorston yLead is unlike any community I’ve ever known. Our organisation means so much to so many, and has contributed to the person I am today, teaching me the skills I need to live and lead. The Tree of Opportunity On my very first full-time day at yLead, Monday 14th February 2011, I placed on my desk a steel structured tree and named it the ‘Tree of Opportunity’. On its branches hung handwritten notes that celebrated the specific friendships, travel experiences, opportunities and life lessons afforded to me because of my time involved in yLead. Back then ..read more

It’s said that adversity often leads to strength, and no event illustrates that better than our recent “Back in Black” celebration at the conclusion of yConnect 2023. The very name of the event hints at its significance. “Being back in the black” is not just about numbers on a balance sheet but is a testimony to yLead’s enduring spirit and resilience. From trial to triumph: As with every story of triumph, this one started with a challenge. Being so reliant on in-person events, the pandemic meant yLead faced financial obstacles that threatened to shut the doors of our beloved organisat ..read more

For the first time since 2019, yLead will be running our beloved Schoolies Alternatives, a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand and Cambodia for high school grads. Each year on the trips, we take along a group of mentors to assist our tour leaders in facilitation and trip coordination, each of them bringing their own unique strengths to the party. This year we have decided to take more mentors than ever before. Why? Because we want to provide an opportunity for those who haven’t had the chance to travel overseas with us in the last four years! We cannot wait to connect our mentors with our soon ..read more

At yLead we believe that simple positive actions, have great impact. Across the Altitude Day roadshow our world-class guest speakers shared their stories, messages, and actions they take to make the world around them a better place. Their captivating messages equally inspired and influenced Year 9 students Australia-wide to also commit to positive actions in their worlds. Altitude Day Hobart was joined by triathlete, civil construction worker, testicular cancer survivor and newly come keynote speaker, Josh Robson. Josh has a story of great strength and resilience that he tells with such wis ..read more

At yLead we believe that simple positive actions, have great impact. Across the Altitude Day roadshow our world-class guest speakers shared their stories, messages, and actions they take to make the world around them a better place. Their captivating messages equally inspired and influenced Year 9 students Australia-wide to also commit to positive actions in their worlds. Altitude Day Canberra heard from one talented and aspirational person, Han Worsely, an incredibly passionate individual making an impact on their community. Han leads with 100% in everything they do, working towards making ..read more