30 under 30: Goulburn Valley’s rising stars under 30 revealed
From lawyers to tradies, star athletes to young business owners and Australia’s next generation of leaders, meet 30 of the Goulburn Valley’s best and brightest under 30.
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These are some of the Goulburn Valley’s most talented young people, from paramedics to musicians.
These young guns are kicking goals in their industries, making a difference in their communities and have bright futures ahead.
Meet 30 of the Goulburn Valley region’s best and brightest under 30.
Is there someone you think should have made the list? Nominate them in the comments.
MILLIE BROWN
The former Western Bulldogs AFLW star is the daughter of former Geelong player Paul Brown but Millie Brown has undoubtedly made her own mark in the big league.
Drafted by Geelong under the father-daughter rule in 2019, Brown made her debut in 2020 before switching over to Whitten Oval to play for the Western Bulldogs in 2022.
Brown played representative footy for the Murray Bushrangers.
KIMBERLEY CHU
Kimberley Chu works in the employment sector at Jobs Victoria, where she mentors people that experience disadvantages to get into sustainable work.
Ms Chu, originally from Hong Kong, lived in Shepparton upon her arrival in Australia.
She has volunteered for a number of different organisations in the region, including The Lighthouse Project and working at Mooroopna Primary School.
Ms Chu says she loves giving back to the community as she received “really strong community support” when she arrived in Shepparton.
She also sits on the board of ethnic council in Shepparton.
SAM DURHAM
The Seymour-born Essendon star has played an enormous role in his side’s resurgent 2024.
Durham, 22, has played 60 games for the club after making his debut in 2021.
Durham famously kicked the winning goal against Richmond in the iconic Dreamtime at the ’G match.
The mid-season draft pick has a bright career ahead of him, who often returns to the town he grew up in to watch brother Joel and his mates kick the footy for the Seymour Lions.
YEMURRAKI EGAN
Yemurraki Egan is a proud Yorta Yorta man who is currently an outreach and engagement team leader at the University of Melbourne.
He is studying an associate degree of engineering at the University of Swinburne.
Mr Egan previously served as an executive on the Koorie Youth Council, providing a perspective to decisions around education, law and health for young Indigenous people in Victoria.
ROWAN FARREN
Rowan Farren is a Shepparton-born man who is currently a Greater Shepparton City Council candidate.
Mr Farren, now living across the causeway in Mooroopna, is passionate about advocacy and political representation.
He was invited to attend the Melbourne Global Citizen Summit after working as a member of the Victorian Youth Congress in 2023.
Now studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at La Trobe University, he previously worked as a media adviser for Wendy Lovell MP in the Shepparton area.
Rowan is also a student ambassador and facilitator at La Trobe University.
JD AND WILL HAYES
JD and Will Hayes are Euroa born and bred thoroughbred trainers who train alongside older brother Ben.
The twins have excelled since joining the Lindsay Park operation as co-head trainers, most notably with stable star Mr Brightside who has delivered six Group One’s for the stable and more than $13m in prize money.
Both twins have played footy for local team the Euroa Magpies, while Will also played AFL for the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, highlighting the sporting prowess of the pair.
MARNI HICKS
Marni Hicks is one of the state’s best paramedics, showing leadership beyond her years.
Beginning at Ambulance Victoria in Nathalia in 2014, Marni has worked her way up to be the acting regional capability and development co-ordinator.
Born in Nathalia, Marni works now works in Echuca while living in Kyabram, traversing right across the Goulburn Valley.
Ms Hicks has also completed a double degree of Paramedics Practice and Public Health Promotion at La Trobe University.
Speaking about the job she loves, Ms Hicks continues to strive to get better.
“In terms of career goals, I would love to get 30 years on road as a paramedic,” she said.
“I try to say yes to new opportunities because you never know where it will take you.
“I became a paramedic because I wanted to help people each day. I love that I’m in career where I can keep learning and support people at their most vulnerable times.”
SOPHIE HUMPHRIES
Sophie Humphries is a Benalla local who won the Benalla Rural City Council Young Citizen of the Year in 2022 for her volunteer work.
Ms Humphries was vice-captain of FCJ College in Benalla and volunteered at the CFA for eight years.
Ms Humphries is currently studying a Bachelor of Education course in Canberra and hopes to return to regional Victoria to take up a teaching position.
TAYLAH LOGIE
Taylah Logie is a born and bred Strathmerton local who has been a member of the CFA for 10 years.
The 21-year-old believes volunteering is a “way to help my community” and says “it doesn’t feel like a job”.
Strathmerton’s Taylah Logie has been with the CFA for ten years. Picture: Supplied
Ms Logie, who attended nearby Cobram Anglican Grammar, has aspirations of being on an Australian tour with a production company, with a passion for theatre acting.
She can’t stress the importance of the relationships she has forged at the CFA enough.
“The relationships that I’ve formed with the other volunteers … Everyone’s really got your back … If you go to somewhere confronting everyone will check up on you.”
BRAYDEN MCGREGOR
Born in the beautiful Goulburn Valley town of Toolamba, Brayden McGregor now plies his trade in Melbourne as a lawyer for SLF Lawyers.
He grew up playing football for the Tatura Bulldogs, which is a kick up the road from Toolamba.
Mr McGregor also won three premierships playing cricket for Central Park St Brendan’s in Shepparton, before going on to play for Carlton in the premier competition in Melbourne.
Afer studying law at La Trobe University, Mr McGregor entered the professional world.
He spent time as a teachers aide at Notre Dame College in Shepparton.
VINCENT MCLINDON
Echuca’s Vincent McLindon is one of the state’s rising stars in carpentry.
The qualified carpenter currently works at Hadar Homes.
Vincent received a top award at the Master Builders Victoria Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Mr McLindon, who was nominated by Bendigo TAFE while working for Mitchell Homes, was a standout selection.
“Vincent was a standout contender in this year’s awards and has shown great dedication to his trade and has developed key leadership skills,” judges said at the awards.
SAM MERRYLEES
Sam Merrylees, a commercial litigation lawyer living in Melbourne, grew up on a farm between Shepparton and Euroa.
He moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce at Burwood’s Deakin University, before moving into the professional world.
His family still live in the area, and Mr Merrylees says there’s a “community feel” and an “atmosphere” that you don’t get in the “big smoke”.
MONGA MUKASA
Monga Mukasa is a Shepparton-raised, Congolese-born Masters student who is passionate about helping integrate African-Australian’s into the education sector and workforce.
Mr Mukasa is currently studying a Masters of Social Work (Child Family Practice) at La Trobe University in Bundoora.
He is the founder and chief executive of Networking African-Australians, which he founded in August 2020.
The Notre Dame College graduate aims to support young Africans so “they can positively engage with the community”.
Mr Mukasa loves giving back to the community in which he grew up in, having moved to Shepparton in 2005.
“I’m very proud of my team,” Mr Mukasa said.
CLAYTON OLIVER
Clarry is one of the greatest players in the history of the Melbourne Football Club, and he’s still only 26 years old.
The midfielder who played for the Mooroopna Football Club and then represented the Murray Bushrangers is a three-time all-Australian and four-time Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Medallist.
In 2021, Oliver was an integral part of breaking the Dees 57 year premiership drought, winning the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award and then had 33 disposals and a goal in Melbourne’s crushing grand final victory over the Western Bulldogs.
CADENCE PANG
Cadence Pang is a first-year medicine student at Monash University who hails from the town of Cobram.
The Malaysian-born medicine student has a passion for rural health, saying living in Melbourne for university has opened her eyes about “what city kids” think of the rural areas.
Ms Pang believes there is a distinct lack of doctors and teachers and other professions in the region and hopes to rectify that in the future.
Ms Pang has won two Moira Shire Council awards for her community work, one in 2023 for Young Citizen of the Year, and another in 2024 called the Star Achievers Award.
STEPHANIE HICKS
Stephanie Hicks is about to graduate from Deakin University with a bachelor’s degree in animal and zoological science while working part-time at the university gym.
Stephanie was Young Citizen of the Year in both Tatura and then the entire Greater Shepparton region in 2020 and says her home town of Tatura “will always have a place in my heart” as she finishes her degree at Deakin’s Geelong campus.
Tatura’s Stephanie Hicks, 22, is about to finish her animal and zoological science degree at Deakin University. Picture: Supplied
The proud Taturan did plenty of volunteer work during her high school days including at the Tatura Bulldogs Football & Netball Club.
The 22-year-old hopes to do a doctor of veterinary science in the future, most likely at the University of Melbourne.
GABRIELLA VITTORIO
Gabriella Vittorio is a talented young artist from Shepparton whose artwork has made it to the big time.
Her two pieces Lab Rats and Lunchtime have made it to the Ian Potter Centre at the National Gallery of Victoria.
She is one of just 45 young artists to be selected.
Vittorio says Lunchtime is inspired by her Italian heritage and how kids with predominantly Australian backgrounds would poke fun at her and her food.
Top Arts 2024 is at the Ian Potter Centre until July 14.
ESAVA RATUGOLEA
This Port Adelaide defender’s roots are tied to the Goulburn Valley town of Cobram.
Esava Ratugolea, who’s parents are Fijian, was born in Griffith, but he moved to Cobram at young age of six and played for the Cobram Tigers.
Ratugolea was drafted by Geelong and made his debut against Melbourne at the MCG.
Astonishingly, Ratugolea only started playing Aussie rules in 2011, making his rise all the more meteoric.
The 25-year-old was traded from Geelong to Port Adelaide at the end of 2023.
BRODIE PROSSER
Brodie Prosser is a volunteer for the CFA in Shepparton while doubling as a full-time accessories fitter at Bridgestone.
The 18-year-old says being a firefighter is “exciting” and believes it is the part he “can play in giving back to the community”.
In May, Mr Prosser was instrumental in putting out a shed fire, taking over by himself in doing the water supply.
He stresses the need for more firefighters in the state.
“We do need more firefighters in Victoria, it’s such an amazing opportunity … It has been a game changer for me.”
JASMINE RALEIGH
Jasmine Raleigh is a Euroa local plying her trade at a double degree at Melbourne’s Deakin University, while also working as a teaching assistant at Mount Scopus Memorial College.
Ms Raleigh, who is studying a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Teaching, is incredibly passionate about education, which belies her years, making a “genuine impact” on her students.
In 2022, Ms Raleigh was awarded Young Citizen of the Year by the Strathbogie Shire for her volunteer work at the Euroa Magpies Football Netball Club and for organising the debutante ball for over 400 people between three schools in the area.
The former school captain aspires to be teaching full-time within the next two years as a secondary science teacher.
HARLEY REID
The Tongala product is one of the most exciting players in the AFL, and he’s only just entered the league.
With comparisons to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, Reid has already taken the league by storm in his debut season.
Drafted by West Coast, Reid grew up in Tongala and went to school at St Joseph’s College, Echuca.
The 19-year-old went No. 1 in the 2023 AFL Draft after playing TAC Cup football for the Bendigo Pioneers.
The sky is the limit for a kid that featured on the back page of The West Australian newspaper for 17 consecutive days, before he had even played a game.
HAMISH ROWLANDS
Hamish grew up on a farm at Waaia, a tiny little town nestled between Nathalia and Numurkah after spending his formative years in Gunbower.
After graduating from Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton, Hamish attended Melbourne University.
He is now an agricultural valuer at LAWD, a company which specialises in agribusiness.
He played footy for the Shepparton Bears, most recently in 2022, and the Waiaa Bombers.
The Gunbower-born man has lived on a dairy farm his entire life, and gets back home to Waaia regularly despite “living in the big smoke”.
He also attended Katunga Primary School as a youngster.
JY SIMPKIN
Born in Mooroopna, Jy Simpkin is a gun midfielder for North Melbourne.
Simpkin grew up playing for Mooroopna before playing representative footy for the Murray Bushrangers.
He was drafted by North Melbourne in 2016 at pick 12.
In 2023, Simpkin was named co-captain of North Melbourne alongside Luke McDonald.
The Mooroopna lad is a two-time Syd Barker Medallist.
JAYDEN SHERIDAN
The Seymour-born skateboarder was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2024.
Suffering homelessness and substance abuse as a teenager, Jayden found solace in the skate park.
In 2021, he started Gnarly Neighbours, a not-for-profit youth group in Seymour.
The group gives free skateboarding lessons and provides creative workshops to young people.
The group also has its own streetwear label, which children can get involved with to learn about design.
Jayden was chosen as one of ABC Heywire’s 2022 Trailblazers. He’s now formalising his workshops so they can be run in other disadvantaged rural towns.
ADELLE SYMES
Adelle Symes is an entrepreneur from Yarrawonga who started a hospitality company called Jaycees in December 2020.
What began as a caravan in Yarrawonga has turned into a blossoming cafe on the main street.
Jaycees delivers coffee, acai bowls, smoothies and juices in the summer, while soups and toasties are provided to keep warm in the winter.
Along with the day-to-day running of the cafe, Ms Symes’ business doubles as an event bar service for weddings, birthdays, hens parties and community events across the Goulburn Valley.
Jaycees provide a range of cocktail packages and unique bar setups for guests – and drinks will always be served cold.
Ms Symes is “incredibly grateful” to the local community, her family and friends and those that visit her beloved hometown.
“If you’re in the area of Yarrawonga, we would love for you to visit.”
CORTNEE VINE
Star soccer player for the Matildas and Sydney FC Cortnee Vine was born in Shepparton before moving to Queensland.
Vine, who plays as a winger, has scored two goals for her country, with her debut goal coming against South Africa in October 2022.
The 26-year-old grew up playing soccer at St Georges Rd Primary School with her older sister.
Cortnee’s father, Gary Vine, played for Shepparton City and Shepparton South in the 1980s.
Vine has played 26 caps for the Matildas since her debut in 2022, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Information Technology.
TOM SAXTON
Tom Saxton is a research associate at RMIT at the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation.
Recently, he published an article regarding previous research where he located Russian missile systems being used against Ukraine using publicly-available satellite data.
Mr Saxton also works for the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, where he helps deliver youth leadership workshops, which can include helping people learn how to talk to media.
In 2020, he completed the Fairley Leadership Program.
Shepparton born and bred, Mr Saxton now divides his time between Melbourne and Shepparton.
OLLIE WINES
Echuca product Ollie Wines won the AFL’s most coveted individual award in 2021 when he received the Brownlow Medal.
Wines, who in the same year won Port Adelaide’s best and fairest and was nominated for an all-Australian guernsey, received a record-equalling 36 votes in the Brownlow.
Wines played footy for the Echuca Bombers growing up.
RUBY WYATT-CARTER
Ruby Wyatt-Carter is a talented young artist and musician from Nathalia.
Ruby began teaching guitar in February 2021, and started their own business teaching guitar in March 2022.
Wyatt-Carter has built up the business from teaching students once a week after school to running a full-time business for 35 students across Nathalia, Numurkah and Cobram, giving plenty back to the community they grew up in.
Wyatt-Carter has played guitar since they were 11 years old, releasing their first album called ‘SMOKE’ under stage name Indigo Carter.
They released a second album in 2024 called So Below.
Wyatt-Carter’s music is on Spotify.
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