30 under 30: Bendigo’s rising stars for 2025 revealed
From athletes to teachers, legal minds to artists, and Australia’s next generation of leaders, meet 30 of Bendigo’s best and brightest under 30 in 2025.
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From athletes to teachers, legal minds to artists, Bendigo is well-known for producing some of the best and brightest professionals.
These young guns are kicking goals in their industries, making a difference in their communities and have bright futures ahead.
Meet 30 of Bendigo’s best and brightest under 30.
Braeden Dean
Following in his fathers footsteps and joining the police force, Braeden Dean has dedicated himself to serving and protecting the community.
Recently graduating from the academy, Dean works in the uniform division patrolling Bendigo’s streets.
Like the 16,000 other police officers across Victoria, Dean puts his life on the life every time he goes to work to keep the community safe.
Before joining the force Dean represented Bendigo on the world stage as a pro track cyclist, winning both national and international titles.
Lucia Painter
Bendigo footy gun Lucia Painter has been drafted into the AFLW with the West Coast Eagles at just 18.
Painter started at the Sandhurst Dragons where she won five premierships before playing with the Bendigo Pioneers where she was a star player for several seasons.
She was previously selected for the Under-18s Girls all-Australian Team in 2024 after a stand out performance playing for Vic Country in the National Championship games.
As academically gifted as she is athletically, Painter completed several Year 12 subjects while in Year 11 at Marist College before graduating in 2024 – the same year she was drafted to the big league.
Painter has also been accepted into university where she will study law, with a goal of becoming a criminal prosecutor.
Daneisha Walter
Raised in Kangaroo Flat, Daneisha Walter has spent nearly six years caring for her hometown community as a paramedic in Bendigo.
After studying in Melbourne, she returned to complete her graduate year at the Bendigo and Eaglehawk branches, and has remained ever since.
She’s proud to work in a region with strong clinical capabilities, including a local hospital equipped for most emergencies and helicopter support for more complex cases.
“It’s a privilege to serve a community I know so well and see the difference we can make,” she said.
Alessia McCaig
Bendigo athlete Alessia McCaig returns to the 30 under 30 list this year after winning her seventh national title in cycling.
She won four medals – two gold a silver and a bronze – while competing in the cycling Australia National Track Championships in Brisbane, in March.
McCaig won gold in the sprint event for the second year in a row and gold in the Keirin event for the third year running.
She dominated in the national championships after competing at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Turkey in Australia’s women’s sprint team.
In 2022 she received the Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship after representing Australia at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Glasgow Track World Cup.
Gai Porh La Myint
Gai Porh La Myint is a highly respected hospital pharmacist at Bendigo Health and leader in the Karen community.
Gai Porh came to Bendigo as an 11-year-old refugee and through sheer hard work and determination made her way through school and then university locally at La Trobe to become a pharmacist.
Alongside her daily duties, she also assists other Karen patients by translating medical information and helping them with their cultural safety and treatment needs.
In 2024, Gai Porh was named Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year by the Eaglehawk Rotary Club in recognition for her “transformative contribution” to the Karen community in Bendigo and her “unwavering commitment” as a volunteer with the Rotary Club.
Stephanie Kemp
Stephanie Kemp is a young vet nurse on her way to becoming a veterinarian.
Now in her second year of vet school, Kemp started her journey working on her mum Kristy’s animal assisted therapy farm, Flash Farm in Myers Flat just outside Bendigo.
Overcoming illness that impeded her VCE studies, Kemp was determined to pursue her passion for animal welfare and through her hard work received a first round offer to Charles Sturt University.
While studying Kemp works as a qualified vet nurse with the Victorian Equine Group while managing animal welfare and marketing at Flash Farm.
Damian McCarthy
Damian McCarthy is a rising culinary star and apprentice chef at Borchelli Ristorante in Bendigo.
He was named Bendigo TAFE’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year and Commercial Cookery Apprentice of the Year, and is a two-time AUS TAFE Culinary Trophy medallist.
Known for his precision and creativity – like his award-winning lamb backstrap au poivre – McCarthy is passionate about exploring global cuisines.
Taylor Mann
Award-winning building designer, Taylor Mann is one of Victoria’s most promising young talents shaping the future of architecture.
A Bendigo TAFE graduate, she won the 2024 Outstanding Student of the Year Award from Design Matters National.
Now working on custom builds and extensions in Bendigo, Mann is known for her creativity, drive, and passion for learning.
Pollyanna Smith
Pollyanna Smith is Bendigo’s 2025 Young Citizen of the Year, winning the title for her volunteer work and involvement with the Girl Guides Bendigo over the past 10 years.
In 2022, she became the first Girl Guide in the district in more than a decade to earn the Queen’s Guide Award, the group’s highest achievement.
Smith, who identifies as a Wiradjuri woman, contributed to the development of Girl Guides Victoria’s Reconciliation Action Plan and actively participates in Volunteering Victoria’s inclusion and diversity team.
She is also a coach at Bendigo’s Cheer and Dance, where she mentors young dancers and cheerleaders, and has joined the Dhelk Dja Regional Action Group.
Rose Joy
Dental student, award-winning singer, exhibited artist and youth councillor, Rose Joy returns to the 30 under 30 list this year as she continues to stand out in the community.
A champion of the arts, Joy is a member of the Art and Creative Industries Advisory Committee, advocating for initiatives that will help the arts and creative industry in Bendigo.
Last year, she ran an art exhibition for young people, A Spatter of Colour, which is set to happen again this year with even more young people involved.
An exhibited artist herself, Joy’s work has appeared in several exhibitions including the Capital Foyer, RAW Arts and at Dudley House.
She has performed with the Bendigo Youth Choir, and frequently performs at events like the Bendigo Carols by Candlelight, the ANZAC Dawn and Morning Ceremonies.
In 2023 she sang Deep Sea Dreaming at Ulumbarra Theatre with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and in the same year won Musician of the Year award in her graduate year of Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
Joy is currently entering her second year of Dental Science at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
Maeve Tupper
Future lawyer and footy ace Maeve Tupper won the Central Victorian Football League women’s senior fairest and best in 2024 after a stellar season.
The Bendigo Pioneers product now playing for Castlemaine took out the top award in her first year with the team after beating out joint runners up Eaglehawk co-coach Molly Metcalf and Golden Square captain Liz Watkins – both incredibly strong performers.
While dominating on the field, Tupper has been putting in the hard yards as a law clerk and will soon graduate from a Bachelor of Law at Bendigo’s La Trobe University, and her mentors hold high hopes for her career.
Sam Gibbs
Sam Gibbs became a teacher to inspire a passion in young people for the environment and their place in it.
Now he works with students with significant learning barriers teaching the Outdoor Education subject at BSSC.
During the four years he has been at BSSC, his outstanding personal qualities have earnt him accolades from both students and colleagues, principal Kylie Hand said.
Alongside advocating for the improvement of BSSC’s environmental impact, Gibbs also organises and guides life-changing cultural experience for students in Kakadu in the Northern Territory over the July school holidays.
Lachlan Tardrew
Sandhurst’s Lachlan Tardrew is one of Bendigo’s best footy players, with teammates and coaches describing him as a legend on the field and an all-round good bloke.
He grew up playing juniors in Sandhurst before dominating in the Bendigo Pioneers where he was almost drafted to the AFL.
Instead, he went on to play with VFL Collingwood, where he was captain, playing more than 100 games in the competition.
Tardrew also travelled to the Top End to play in the Northern Territory Football League for the Nightcliff Tigers where he has consistently been a top performer on the side.
Last year when he was Sandhurst’s captain the team took home a spectacular premiership, with Tardrew winning the league medal, best and fairest and, best on ground in a premiership for his season performance.
When he’s not dominating on the field, Tardrew teaches at Marist College in Bendigo.
Kate Lawn
Kate Lawn is a passionate and dedicated criminal lawyer with Victoria Legal Aid who advocates tirelessly for her clients.
A Central Victorian local, Lawn joined Legal Aid’s Bendigo team as a new criminal lawyer having previously worked at the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre.
She is now a Senior Koori Court lawyer where she provides culturally safe representation and assistance to First Nations clients in the region, including at the Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill Koori Courts.
Her colleagues describe her as “a champion of courage, inclusion and fairness in the work she does”.
As well as being a highly respected practitioner and valued team member, Lawn also mentors junior lawyers.
Levity Camilleri
Levity Camilleri was elected as Bendigo’s Youth Mayor for 2025, their second term as a youth councillor.
Camilleri is currently in year 12 at BSSC while also studying the university subject Politics, Philosophy and Economics through La Trobe.
Aside from being academically gifted, Camilleri is a strong community advocate, working as an enthusiastic contributor to the council’s engagement, experience and advocacy working groups and becoming a member of the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network and La Trobe Oral Health Awareness Social Media committee while a youth councillor.
A proud representative of Bendigo’s LGBTQIA+ community, Camilleri acted as MC for the IDAHOBIT flag raising ceremony and a co-MC for the Wear it Purple Day party.
Riley O’Keefe
At just 22 years old, young real estate agent Riley O’Keefe became the head of sales at Tweed Sutherland First National Bendigo.
O’Keefe’s rapid rise has been marked by impressive contributions, with his strategic mind quickly making him a valuable asset. Starting in the marketing division, he spearheaded social media initiatives and impressive campaigns which saw a big boost for the business.
Now, O’Keefe is running the show, with his boss Jason Priestley describing him as an “absolute superstar”, guiding the sales team to achieve “exceptional results”.
Charlotte Sexton
Legend in the making and Bendigo Strikers championship team best and fairest, Charlotte Sexton has been selected as a Melbourne Vixens 2025 training partner.
A fierce defender, Sexton is one of five new training partners announced by the Vixens in the Super Netball club’s squad.
She was best and fairest following the Strikers’ championship win and in 2024 the young woman was also selected for the Australian 21-under squad and she was part of the Victorian Fury side for the Super Netball Reserves competition.
She has also re-signed with the Bendigo Strikers to play in their 23-under squad for 2025.
Jasmine Howell-Saunders
Jasmine Howell-Saunders is a proud Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman with a growing presence in the digital art space.
Having designed the jersey for the Bendigo Women’s Football Club, she’s been commissioned to create artworks displayed around Bendigo.
Howell-Saunders is passionate about celebrating Aboriginal language, storytelling, and connection to Country.
Amy Jefferis
Amy Jefferis is an academically gifted BSSC Year 12 and student ambassador with leadership and peer mentoring roles.
Her passion to help create opportunities that enhance the VCE experience for other students has seen her earn the admiration of her teachers and peers.
Jefferis’ humility is just one of her great qualities, and her commitment to constantly seeking out learning sets a valuable example to others, principal Kylie Hand says.
A “keen chemistry student”, Jefferis represented BSSC at the National Youth Science Forum which she found to be an inspiring experience.
Oscar Kerby
Prodigal sprinter Oscar Kerby has represented Bendigo on the international stage in an athletics competition in Canada.
Starting his sporting career playing soccer for Spring Gully, Kerby only recently took up athletics, winning several races and rapidly improving his track time.
Discovering his passion for the competition, Kerby represented Victory Christian College in the School Sports Victoria series locally, regionally and then at the state finals where he ran a personal best of 55.05, an improvement of eight seconds.
Kerby was one of 90 young Aussies invited to compete in Canada in 100m, 200m and 400m events, placing third in the 400m and won the 4x100 relay.
Kerby has his sights sets on competing in the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.”
Montanna Maud
Montanna Maud returns to the 30 under 30 list for 2025 after she was named Young Citizen of the Year 2024 at just 20 for her outstanding volunteer work in the community.
Maud continues to volunteer with the Mosquito Creek Rural Fire Brigade holding the position of 4th Lieutenant, while studying psychology at La Trobe University.
Maud hopes to become captain of the Mosquito Creek Brigade some day and has been recognised for her work in the organisation.
Lea Bursac
Future doctor Lea Bursac was one of just 15 students accepted into the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) program at La Trobe University after recently completing Year 12 at Bendigo Senior Secondary College – a program which guarantees her entry into the Doctor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne.
While studying, she is also serving as a first-time youth councillor where she is committed to making a positive impact in her community.
Bursac is passionate about advocating for young people as well as for rural healthcare and hopes to apply this focus to her role as a youth councillor.
The keen musician also plays the piano, violin and viola and performs as a member of the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra, while also having earned her black belt in karate and assists in coaching junior classes, helping younger students develop their skills and confidence.
Jesse Cattell
At just 28 years old, Jesse Cattell is the owner and operator of William Farmer Funeral Directors. He was nominated in the 2024 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards for the Young and Professional category shortly after taking over the business from his aunt and uncle.
Cattell says it is a “profound honour” to support families in honouring their loved ones and has an unwavering dedication to the families he serves.
His commitment and excellence were recognised when he received the prestigious 2019 Australian Funeral Directors Association Scholarship which took him to Chicago and Canada on a study tour.
Cattell also holds a position on the Victorian Council of the Australian Funeral Directors Association.
Tilley Rose
A proud Weeroona College Bendigo alum, Tilley Rose returned to the school as a passionate educator leading disability and inclusion.
Specialising in special education and inclusive practice, she works hard to provide an equitable and accessible learning environment for all students.
Her work focuses on staff training, curriculum adaptation, and building a culture of respect and belonging.
Rose collaborates with families and professionals to drive meaningful change, with her leadership transforming inclusive education and empowering all learners to succeed, principal Jason Bysouth says.
Madison Donald
A young lawyer working for OFRM Lawyers, Madison Donald was nominated in the 2025 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards in the Young and Professional category for her contributions to her industry.
As part of the OFRM’s business law team, Madison says she loves supporting Bendigo businesses in achieving their goals. Originally from Queensland, Donald moved to Bendigo in 2020 and says she loves the opportunities and lifestyle of the region.
In addition to her law degree, Donald holds a Bachelor of International Security Studies with a focus on peacebuilding and conflict resolution which she says often comes in handy in her line of work.
Jacinta Douglas
Dja Dja Warrung woman Jacinta Douglas is a traditional owner engagement officer with DJAARA Abororiginal Corporation.
She won the 2024 Young and Professional award at the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards for her work with Bendigo’s First Nations community.
Douglas role includes connecting Dja Dja Wurrung peoples to their representative on the First People’s Assembly of Victoria who are working towards establishing a statewide Treaty.
She also contributes towards community activities and bringing people together for cultural celebrations and events.
Zoe Czempinski
Engineer by day, thespian by night, Zoe Czempinski is an integral part of the Bendigo Theatre Company.
After moving to Bendigo to work as a specialist engineer with Coliban Water, Czempinski joined company taking on the lead role of Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls.
She went on to choreograph the dancing for the company’s Christmas pantomime of Robin Hood.
Czempinski also volunteers on the steering Committee for the youth arm of the theatre company known as Tribe.
In 2025, she has been cast in the role of Rosalie (the principal) for the troupe’s current major musical School of Rock.
Katelyn Beattie
Katelyn Beattie was named 2025 Intern Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for her work with Bendigo UFS Pharmacies.
She has been pegged as a leader early on in her career for her “exceptional initiative, clinical insight, and enthusiasm for learning”.
Within the first few months of her internship, she has taken an active role in dispensary operations, consistently prioritises patient care, and with her proactive approach to improving pharmacy efficiency allowing more time for patient-focused care.
Mitchell Graham
Future teacher and dedicated volunteer, Mitchell Graham returns to the 30 under 30 list again this year for his continued efforts at making Bendigo a better place.
In just one year, Graham was named the Bendigo Young Citizen of the Year, an Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year, Be. Bendigo Business Excellence Inaugural Volunteer of the Year and Badminton Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year.
Described as humble, community-driven, and widely respected for his contributions, he was recognised for his service as president of Empowering Eaglehawk, a community-focused organisation improving the lives of people in the 3556 postcode through grants, youth engagement, and community development projects.
Graham works at Kangaroo Flat Primary School in educational support and has just recently graduated with a Bachelor of Primary Education from La Trobe University in Bendigo.
His goal is to become a teacher, where he will pass on his strong sense of community values to his students.
Teal Hocking
At just 21, Teal Hocking is quickly establishing herself as one of regional Victoria’s up and coming netball stars.
Hocking is the youngest player in the Bendigo Strikers’ inaugural Victorian Netball League Championship team, where she’s become a key player.
Teal’s rise began with a 19 and Under premiership for the City West Falcons and continued with selection in the 2023 Division 1 Team of the Year and Netball Victoria’s state team.
In 2025, Hocking stepped up to the Super Netball Reserves with the Melbourne Mavericks.
Balancing elite-level sport with study and work, Teal is completing a Bachelor of Education at La Trobe University Bendigo and working at St Joseph’s Primary School.
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