Cross Agency Youth Advisory Panel | Real Lives, Real Voices — Through Our Eyes, Not Our File
| Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Plaza Terrace |
Synopsis
This powerful panel brings together young people from across Australia on behalf of agencies (Allambi Care, Uniting Care and Life Without Barriers) who have lived experiences in various Australian care systems — not as professionals, but as the Youth at the centre of it.
They are not here to be case studies. They are here to be heard. With honesty, courage, and clarity, these lived experience advocates share what it was really like. The moments that hurt, the people who helped, and the systems that need to do better.
Their message is simple but essential: for some, this is a job, for them, it was their life.
Speaker
Olivia Mylesen
Outreach Worker
Allambi Care
Panelist
Biography
Olivia is a youth support worker with Allambi Care’s Supported Independent Living (SIL) program and a proud lived experience advocate. Having grown up within various Out Of Home Care systems including foster care, refuges, and SIL; Olivia brings a powerful perspective to her work. Olivia now uses her experience to connect with and support young people navigating life after care, offering empathy, insight, and honesty.
Tim McQuillan
Support Worker
Allambi Care
Panelist
Biography
Tim is a lived experience advocate who didn’t just survive over 10 years living in the out-of-home care system, Tim thrived. Having lived in residential care, foster care, and SIL placements, Tim now works as a youth support worker with Allambi Care. Passionate, creative, and deeply driven, he uses his experiences and his love of music, sport, and fitness to connect with and empower the next generation.
Jack Barlow
Person with lived experience
Safe Places for Children
Panelist
Biography
Jack Barlow is a young adult with lived experience in Out-of-Home Care in WA and is dedicated to advocating for the best practice in residential care. Jack has been involved in numerous projects to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of young people in care.
Tara Payne
Lived Experience Youth Participation Advocate
Life Without Barriers
Panelist
Biography
Tara is a lived experience advocate for the out-of-home care (OOHC) system and a dedicated young consultant with CREATE Foundation. She also sits on the Uplifting Care Panel, where she helps shape better outcomes for children and young people in care through advocacy, insight, and authentic representation.
Hannah Ziebarth
Youth Consultant
UnitingCare
Panelist
Biography
Hannah Ziebarth has been an advocate for young people in Out of Home Care since she was 17 and began volunteering with the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) whilst living in a UnitingCare residential house. She is now 22 and has a strong sense of justice, continuing to bring insights and suggestions for improvements in child protection with CREATE and as a paid Youth Consultant for UnitingCare’s YAG. Hannah recently won “Best Drive Through Customer Service” at her café job. She enjoys fan fiction and is learning German.
Lara Vincent
Life Without Barriers
Panelist
Biography
Lara is a young consultant, interview panelist and lived experience advocate for the CREATE foundation. She is also a part of several youth advisory groups, including for Life Without Barriers, and independently advises for The Commissioner for children and young people and the Child advocate. Lara is currently studying a Bachelor of Museum Curation.
