Feature written by Hermione Taylor
From classrooms in regional Queensland to music rooms in Dubai, Katie has dedicated herself to one mission: creating spaces where young people are heard, safe and supported – not just seen.
Her journey into volunteering didn’t begin with grand plans for accolades. It started with a simple desire to make a difference – and a growing awareness that real change happens when people take the lead in their communities.
What’s kept her going, she says, is the connection: the conversations, the shared passion, the moments where someone feels seen because of something so small – a workshop, a coaching session, a shared story.
”Volunteering has never just been about the cause for me, although that’s important; it’s also about the people. Some of my closest friendships began through volunteering, which makes every new event something I genuinely look forward to.”
As a global youth ambassador with TheirWorld, Katie has taken her passion for education to an international level – not just as a right but as a cause for collective action. One of her proudest moments came during a global conversation with other youth leaders from around the world, where their differences only strengthened their unity.
“Education rights look different across the world,” she reflects, “and regional Queensland has needs that look and feel different to other locations.”
That understanding has pushed everything she has done, including her advocacy with Bravehearts, an organisation focused on child protection and consent education. It’s delicate, much-needed work, but hopeful. “It’s about creating safe spaces,” she says. “We lead with trust, not fear”. The key, she learned, is clear, appropriate language – meeting young people where they are and never underestimating their capacity for understanding.
Through sport, she has found another kind of language, one that doesn’t always need words. As a coach and mentor with Southwest United Hockey Club, she has helped young athletes navigate both wins and setbacks, always reminding them that growth isn’t linear and that process matters more than the scoreboard.
“Watching a player who once hesitated to speak up become a confident teammate and role model, that’s the most rewarding part. It reminds me that leadership is about building others up, not standing out.”
That approach has guided her through a wide variety of roles, from founding a behavioural economics club to working with the QUT business club, where she focuses on student engagement and sparking curiosity.
“and I knew I had enough capacity to contribute in a meaningful but manageable way. It’s been another reminder that leadership can be shared, responsive, and shaped around your values and time.”
Even her time teaching viola in Dubai became a powerful lesson in connection and creativity. The cultural differences were real, but the music bridged them. “Connection goes far beyond language. Many of my students were multilingual, and music became our shared ground. It was a space where identity, confidence, and joy could thrive, especially for students who may not have excelled in traditional academic settings”, she says – and in many ways beyond borders too.
At every step, her work has been guided by curiosity, community and a belief in the power of youth to shape the future – not someday but now.
“You don’t have to change the world overnight, just show up. Whether it’s coaching, making posters, or asking, “How can I help?”, every contribution counts. Volunteering isn’t about being the loudest voice, it’s about showing up consistently and with heart.”
“Often people focus on visible recognition, when the real work happens quietly”
Whether it’s through mentoring a young athlete, designing a consent workshop, or joining a global discussion on education equity, Katie continues to show that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful – and that sometimes, the most important impact is the one you don’t see at all.
“As I move across Queensland and Australia, I hope to keep saying yes to new roles and opportunities—some small, some ongoing, because I know how much I personally get out of giving back… What I truly hope for is that my friends (Emma, Jasmin, Paige, Charlotte, Holly, Toby AND MORE!), and their friends, keep inviting others in, not just because it’s a good cause, but because we all benefit. That’s how communities grow. That’s how change continues.”
About Hermione
Hermione Taylor is a business management student specialising in sports.
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