Teen Gala 2023

Corbin is a graduate of Nossal High School with a passion for public speaking, debating, theatre and linguistics. As a Russian-speaking immigrant from Kazakhstan, and a transgender man, his support for LGBTQ+ rights, politics, trans liberation, multiculturalism and linguistic diversity are deeply pe... Read more

Juliet is a fourteen-year-old girl who has been fortunate enough to grow up with a passport constantly in hand. While finding her home in United States, Malaysia and Australia, Juliet has found a love for reading and writing. The diversity of storytelling throughout these cultures and lands is her i... Read more

Wesley is a recent high school graduate and a Kwong Lee Dow Scholar at the University of Melbourne. He has a background of community service in his local area, Monash City, and a special interest in Mental Health, Youth Voice and Indigenous Australia. Wesley avidly champions youth rights, previously... Read more

Saskia de Leeuw Kyle (she/her) is a writer and aspiring journalist based in Melbourne. She loves to write and read fiction (especially YA romcoms). You can find her work on the website Rosie Respect. She was a member of the 2023 YMCA Youth Press Gallery and the winner of the 2023 One Teen Story Comp... Read more

Ezra is an aspiring young public speaker. He is 14 and attends Preston High School in year 8. He is exited to be speaking here today. They can’t wait to grow up and be able to make a change in the world through the art of public speaking. He is passionate about maths, poetry and science. They woul... Read more

Mali Hawke is a stand-up comedian. He has most recently hosted Up Next Comedy at Arts Centre Melbourne, was a finalist in The Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns in 2021, and has since performed in various other lineups including Wheeler Centre’s ‘Mum’s The Word’ g... Read more

Poppy Holden is a Year 10 student from Melbourne.

She won the Stonnington ‘What’s Your Story?’ competition in 2019 and 2021, and the VATE ‘A Story in Miniature’ in 2022. She has always loved stories – reading them and writing them.

Abigail Kay is a year 9 student who lives in the outer reaches of Melbourne with her family, her dog, her cat, two guinea pigs and a stick insect. She won the Year 7-9 OutLoud Secondary Slam 2023. Abi developed a passion for reading and writing at a very young age. Much of her work stems from her lo... Read more

Reggie is a young singer/songwriter from Melbourne. They find solace in writing music, drawing inspiration from a range of genres.

Rehe Kōrero are the 2023 Word – The Front Line Champions! Winning the title after competing against hundreds of poets from across Tāmaki Makaurau in the largest youth poetry event in Aotearoa New Zealand. Milan Moala, Piremina Ngapera, Koromiko Jacob-Williams and Billy McCarthy are powerful indi... Read more

Fig is a 17-year-old emerging poet and artist. They grew up in rural Victoria, and much of their work is inspired by the bush terrain where they grew up, finding ways to integrate the themes of native Australian flora and fauna into their artworks. Fig has performed previously at the 2022 Teen Gala,... Read more

Claudia Sherman is a Year 12 student from Melbourne. Claudia’s love of literature, history, and travel has encouraged her passion for writing. She aspires to explore and develop this in her future.