Future Victoria: The 25 Victorians under 25 to watch
From science and technology to sports, the arts and even space travel, these are the 25 Victorians under 25 smashing their goals and inspiring us to reach for the stars.
Future Victoria
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From technology to the arts, sports and adventure and even space travel, these young Victorians are leading the charge in their chosen fields.
Here are the 25 Victorians under 25 to watch.
Jordan Barclay
Jordan Barclay is leading the charge in online streaming and has been doing so for years.
Barclay, 22, is the owner and chief executive of Spawnpoint Media, the most-watched Australian-produced gaming YouTube content in the world.
In simplest terms, he said Spawnpoint was a “modern TV network”.
“We have a variety of different shows, primarily in gaming, but we also have shows set in real life, and we do all kinds of content,” he said.
“What we really do is storytelling, and we do it through gaming and through animation, as well as real life, and we’re just trying to tell really great stories that entertain viewers.
“I founded this company in 2019, and since then, we’ve continued to launch channels. We now have 40,000 hours of long-form watch time across our shows and 17 million subscribers over eight channels.”
Originally from Bendigo, Barclay’s business will shortly finish construction of a YouTube focus studio in Collingwood – the first of its kind in Australia.
With a team of more than 100 staff at Spawnpoint, Barclay is enthusiastic to keep growing, creating and expanding.
— Grace Baldwin
Erica Padilla
If you’re on TikTok, chances are you’ve seen Erica Padilla — and no doubt you’ve heard her voice. The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse shot to online stardom in her late teens by posting short covers of pop hits during lockdown, building an online empire of more than 1.3 million followers and earning millions of streams on her original music.
“Coming from a Filipino background, music is ingrained in us,” Padilla said. “I’ve always known in my gut that I was going to do music and I was going to make it happen whatever the cost.”
Padilla’s stellar voice also landed her as the Eurovision TikTok Wildcard winner in 2022, giving her a shot to compete with an original track for the coveted Australian entry.
Behind the screen, the star capitalised on skills she picked up while studying a business degree to self-manage her own artist platform — scrapping the need for a record label — before she opened her own singing school, Elevate Singing School, in Airport West.
— Grace Frost
Morgan Hipworth
Hipworth, 23, shot to fame when he was still a child, gaining notoriety for his doughnut business via a Herald Sun article.
After a stunningly successful Bistro Morgan pop-up in 2016, he officially opened a bricks and mortar store in Windsor and would go on to open another in Fitzroy.
“It sounds weird that I started running a business 10 years ago, but it’s my normality now,” Hipworth said. “I’ve had more of my adult life with a business than without one. It’s a rollercoaster most days – not necessarily up and down, just fast paced.”
Hipworth was also a contestant on Channel 10’s Dessert Masters, a “very cool” moment where he felt “amazed” to be ranked among the top-10 pastry chefs in the country.
“Most recently, a highlight has been opening the restaurant because that was always the dream. It was always the eventual goal, but it was never something that I thought was going to happen this early, ” he said.
Rather than crafting a strict plan for the future, Hipworth said, his goal was to continue loving what he did and living out his passion.
— Grace Baldwin
Oliver Walker-Peel
At just 21, Oliver Walker-Peel has already broken into the A-league of sports commentary.
The journalism graduate chucked on the headset for the first time only six years ago to commentate games for his local soccer club in Mornington before landing himself a seat in the booth broadcasting for AFLW, VFL and VFLW.
Living with cerebral palsy, commentary provided a way for the sports fanatic to meaningfully contribute to the games he loved — and it was clear the youngster had a natural knack for the craft the second he got behind the mic.
In 2023, Walker-Peel was scouted by FIFA at the Women’s World Cup as an Audio Description Commentator to make the event accessible to people with visual impairments, requiring an even more in depth sideline description of the game.
“It was a different type of accessibility than I needed, but to work in accessibility and to improve the lives and the listening of experience for those who needed it who couldn’t access that another way was unbelievable,” he said.
Then the broadcasting talent called Australia’s historic World Cup win with the Paramatildas in Spain last year in what he dubbed a career highlight.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt more Australian than then,” he said.
“When the final whistle went, I was almost crying.”
With his striking English accent, there’s no hiding on air for the Manchester-born Victorian — another distinctive trait Walker-Peel is using to his advantage to “stand out”, rather than feel “different”.
When asked what he wanted readers to take from his story, the 21-year-old joked: “If it’s a hiring manager, I would want them to know that I need a job”.
“But if it's the general public, it’s that I’m a kid who’s grown up with a disability who isn’t going to let it stop me.”
— Grace Frost
Jade Hameister
It was only after she committed to completing the polar hat trick that Jade Hameister OAM figured she should learn how to ski.
At only 16, Hameister became the youngest person ever to traverse the North Pole, across Greenland’s largest icecap, and around the South Pole.
“I was born into a very adventurous family. Our family holidays looked like travelling to exotic locations or hiking in off-grid places, so that shaped my mindset about travel and adventure,” Hameister said.
Her experiences with adventuring thrust her into a world where climate change was not an abstract concept, it was a reality that changed the way she travelled.
“At 13, I didn’t have much of a perspective on climate change and the effects humans are having on the natural environment, but I had no choice but to see it first-hand through unusually warm conditions,” she said.
“Adventurers and explorers that had been in this industry for years hadn’t seen the kind of things that we were seeing.
“It definitely opened my eyes to the kind of impact that we have on the world, and it instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility to do something with my first-hand experience.”
Now 23, Hameister is pursuing a degree in business and entrepreneurship, eager to combine her passion for the climate with sustainable business practices.
— Grace Baldwin
Alex Dekker
Out of the dark days of Melbourne’s pandemic lockdowns, Alex Dekker launched a mission to help feed the city’s most vulnerable.
From a single lasagne, the university student went on to form Alex Makes Meals, a food charity now producing more than 3000 meals a week.
Alex, 24, initially deferred his studies in those Covid days but he later finished his Bachelor Of Commerce at the University of Melbourne.
His charity has continued to thrive with as many as 80 volunteers helping to prepare nutritious meals every week. He also received a food van from construction company Laing O’Rourke for meal deliveries.
Alex was named Young Melburnian of the Year last year, an acclaim that followed a Herald Sun Pride of Australia prize in 2021, a Premiers Sustainability Award in 2022 and he was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 (Asia) list in 2024.
“Alex Makes Meals is about so much more than just providing food,’’ he said.
“It’s about fostering connections and helping people find stability through community support.
“Providing food relief is one of the most rewarding experiences, and being able to provide for such a basic need is incredibly fulfilling on a spiritual level.”
— Ian Royall
Zivai Mapitano
Business rising star Zivai Matipano has become something of a triple threat – her specialties of property, tax and AI helping her to make great strides in the corporate world in a short time.
Zivai, a business intelligence analyst for global real estate services firm JLL, specialises in commercial property and investment management.
A whiz at Python programming language, the 24-year-old has won plaudits for processing a large number of scanned lease agreements to extract specific clauses.
Graduating with a degree in Commerce and Law from Deakin University, coupled with further study in Leadership and Management at Monash scored Zivai an exclusive cadetship with EY’s global mobility team.
She is also a founding member of JLL’s Gen Z committee – a group of high-performing young leaders who provide the company with insight on subjects such as sustainability.
Zivai’s growing reputation in the corporate world has earned her gigs moderating panels and keynote speaking roles at major client events.
She is now working her way through her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and studying to become a Certified Practising Accountant.
— Ian Royall
Ben Jankovski
Labelling Ben Jankovski as perseverant is an extraordinary understatement.
In 2017, Jankovski sustained a C7 spinal cord injury in a major car accident. The passionate footballer, 16 at the time, woke from an induced coma to learn he’d never be able to walk again.
When his classmates were studying for exams, Jankovski was adjusting to new life in a wheelchair.
“My life changed so quickly,” Jankovski said.
“It took me until 2020 to really come to terms with my condition physically and mentally,” Jankovski said. ”
Just two years post injury, Jankovski summoned the courage to approach Collingwood Football Club’s wheelchair squad captain Brendan Stroud at the 2019 Best and Fairest Awards night. Jankovski had lived and breathed Collingwood “since birth” — but never imagined the chat would lead to a spot playing adapted AFL with his mighty Magpies the following year.
“It felt like something that would not have been possible just two years beforehand,” Jankovski said.
Since putting on the black and white, the sportsman has won a premiership in 2021, led the team as squad captain since 2022, returned to the Best and Fairest Awards to take out his own win in 2022 and represented the state team three years in a row.
Taking his work one step further, Jankovski has run his own junior clinics for kids with disabilities to give them the chance to play adapted AFL as part of his work as Collingwood’s disability inclusion officer.
A true inspiration, you won’t catch Jankovski talking his achievements without mentioning his “amazing” teammates, supporters and club.
“I hope young people see me as not being the next me but being the best version of themselves,” he said.
“Someone who never gives up no matter what their situation is, and someone who can take things day by day — one push at a time.”
— Grace Frost
Josh Murray
A simple idea 15 years ago has led Josh Murray to become one of Victoria’s next great entrepreneurs.
Like most nine-year-olds, Murray was on the hunt for more pocket money when he went from selling eggs to neighbours, to running an ethical and sustainable egg supply business.
Josh’s Rainbow eggs has since sold over 40 million eggs and can be found in Coles, Woolworths and IGA stores across Victoria.
Starting with 40 hens on his Kerrie Valley farm, the business is leading the way in sustainable farming.
In 2019 Murray was awarded the 2019 Victorian Young Achiever Award for Environmental Sustainability, for developing a solar-powered mobile chicken shed.
Alongside his focus on sustainability, Murray, now aged 24, has also donated over 1.5 million eggs to various food charities.
— Brandon Demura
Sky Austin
Sky Austin was only 15 when she founded sustainable, semi-fine jewellery business Luv Sky.
Six years later, after creating a brand that “wouldn’t break the bank” she now has three permanent kiosk stores at Melbourne Central, Chadstone and Doncaster.
“I design and edit the range here in Melbourne taking inspiration from the street style of the city,’’ Austin said.
“ I am super proud of our jewellery being made from Authentic 925 Recycled Sterling Silver. Our sustainability journey is something we are super passionate about and continuing to develop further.”
Austin hasn’t stopped there, she’s also founded affordable brand STANLIE, an edit of casual wear staples inspired by Aussie beach culture.
Austin is committed to growing her businesses and continuing to learn.
“One day, Luv Sky will be a global business with stores in countries overseas. I can’t wait to bring the business to new markets. For now, we are focused on expanding within Australia and looking to open more stores in 2025.”
— Jackie Epstein
Oscar Piastri
Melbourne born-and-bred Formula One star Oscar Piastri has been slated as a future world champion of the sport.
Piastri, 23, has already won two Grands Prix in as many seasons in the fast and furious sport and the former Haileybury College schoolboy is widely touted for bigger things.
It’s not just his need for speed but quick thinking and cool head under pressure that has experts in the cutthroat F1 world excited about Piastri’s future.
After leaving home aged 14 to chase his F1 dream in Europe, Piastri signed with McLaren in 2022 and told the Herald Sun he would “try and enjoy it, because it’s a pretty cool job to have’’.
Piastri pocketed $34.5m last year but is expected to rocket up the list of F1 earners, as well as driver rankings. All the while he has the whole of Australia — and McLaren fans – cheering for him.
— Peter Rolfe
Xander McGuire
It may seem like he was destined for a career in media but Xander McGuire has carved his own path.
A polished performer, he spent six months in Scotland on a study sabbatical during which time he became an in demand television reporter back home.
The son of one of Melbourne’s biggest media personalities, Eddie McGuire, the 22 year-old was poached by Channel 7 from Channel 9 this year after taking home the prestigious Clinton Grybas Award for Best Emerging Talent at the AFL Media Awards.
He was at Nine for almost three years and was dubbed a generational talent by veteran presenter Tony Jones.
Xander harbours a passion for journalism which he said was fostered by his dad.
“I go to him all the time for advice, some of the cameramen used to work with him when he was a journalist,’’ Xander said.
“Growing up I’d walk to the kitchen table and there’d be four papers spread across it.”
Eddie said he had instilled a strong work ethic in Xander.
“There’s another opportunity for education and sport,’’ Eddie said.
“If you get in and have a go people will give you a go.”
— Jackie Epstein
Elle Ray
Melbourne social media star Elle Ray had her crowning moment in 2024 when she was nominated for the prestigious TikTok content creator of the year award.
She didn’t win but to be vying for the honour is a huge nod to the 21 year-old’s creativity, talent and following.
“I am obsessed with my job, I am very grateful for all the opportunities it has presented me with,’’ the journalism student admits.
“It has helped build my career as a journalist and presenter and has created an amazing professional network for me. Most importantly, it’s a platform where I can be myself and share my life and experiences with my audience. It’s real and raw.
“Honestly, I feel like my following grew the minute I stopped placing so much thought on what I was posting. I started posting more fun and lighthearted content and my following grew at a rapid rate.”
Ray posts a lot with her brothers, George and Peter, and her parents.
“I’ve had such a fantastic year on TikTok, working with some amazing brands and travelling the world — covering the Brownlow red carpet and interviewing Margot Robbie are just some of the highlights,’’ she said.
— Jackie Epstein
Dyson Daniels
Bendigo export Dyson Daniels was handed one of the best nicknames in the NBA as he erupted in a career best season under the bright lights of the star studded US basketball league.
Daniels, 21, had shown flashes of immense talent in his first two years in the NBA after being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022.
But it was after being traded to the Atlanta Hawks this season that the Australian Boomers star showed what he is capable of, stuffing the stats sheets on a nightly basis and shutting down opponents with a lethal defensive game.
It was his efforts at the defensive end — notably averaging among the league’s best in steals — that earned him the moniker “The Great Barrier Thief’’ from US pundits.
Aussie fans weren’t surprised, of course, having seen him star for the Boomers at the Paris Olympics and holding hopes of even more success.
— Peter Rolfe
Jye Marshall
Melbourne designer Jye Marshall is sewing his way to a more sustainable fashion industry one thread at a time.
The 24-year-old will lead the next generation of designers this year after he was appointed as a lecturer for Swinburne University of Technology’s new Bachelor of Design (Fashion) course.
Jye is a passionate advocate for the future of fashion and sustainability.
He has a diverse skill set within the design and education industry and has published research on fashion technologies.
Jye is also a wool advocate and was a recipient of the prestigious Australian Wool Education Trust scholarship, which enabled him to undertake a research project using wool.
Beyond academia, Jye previously worked as a Kids TV presenter.
— Rebecca Borg
Sebastian Khoury
For 18-year-old Sebastian Khoury, beating stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma won’t be the last time he comes face to face with cancer.
The Monash University medical science student’s dream job is to become an oncologist, so he can care for cancer patients like his doctors helped him.
But before even starting his university degree, Sebastian has already made an impact after encouraging students at his former high school, St Bernard’s College, to donate blood, through his role as ministry captain.
Following the blood drive’s success, the school reached a milestone of 200 donations last year, making it the top school in the state to give blood.
Sebastian has also published a memoir reflecting on his cancer journey titled The Worst Best Year, which he co-authored with his mum Natalie Khoury who also overcame cancer.
Through his book, he hopes to raise awareness about Hodgkin’s lymphoma while also empowering others to find strength and resilience in times of adversity.
— Rebecca Borg
Oliver Farnill and Finnlay Morcombe
Less than a year ago, budding entrepreneurs Oliver Farnill and Finnlay Morcombe, both 24, launched an automated solution to streamline manual documentation processes through their software, Fluency.
Now they have successfully raised $1.3m, with their start-up currently at $100,000 annual recurring revenue with this expected to multiply several times based on the pair’s growth targets.
Oliver and Finnlay commenced their entrepreneurial journey after participating in Swinburne University of Technology’s Innovation Studio’s Pre-Accelerator program.
Over a six-week period they developed their start-up idea which has led to new technology that helps businesses cut costs, enhance compliance and save time.
The duo now have several high-profile corporate clients and a Melbourne-based team of six full-time employees.
— Rebecca Borg
Emma Hakansson
At just 25 years old, Emma Hakansson has worked up an impressive resume – businesswoman, author, lecturer and survivor.
In her own words, Emma does “a whole lot of different things” – but they all feed into her goal of collective liberation.
A child sexual abuse survivor, Emma has used her trauma to help other young people. After leading a national survey listening to survivors about better protecting children, she is working alongside Australian Childhood Foundation to mandate child abuse prevention education in the Working With Children Check.
She is also the founding director of charity Collective Fashion Justice (CFJ), where she has helped to ban fur and wild animal skins at London Fashion Week, and all wildlife materials including feathers from Copenhagen, Melbourne and Berlin Fashion Week.
She’s held lectures
around the world on fashion ethics and guided international brands to move beyond animal-derived materials.
The three-time author also director-produced two award-winning short films.
She co-hosts a podcast called Fashion, Really?.
— Mitch Clarke
Claudia Hollingsworth
Striding on to the world stage before school was out, this bayside bolter is setting the standard for the next generation of Australian athletes.
At only 19 years of age Claudia Hollingsworth has travelled the world 800m at a time, charting a path for Olympic success.
The middle distance runner has already made her Olympics debut, making it to the semi-final at the Paris Olympic Games and holding multiple Australian records.
Hollingsworth punched her ticket to Paris after claiming the national title with a personal best time of 1:58.40 – the second fastest 800m time in Australian history.
After finding the fun side of athletics when she was 13-years-old, she has worked closely with her coach 4-time-Olympian Craig Mottram and is now eyeing the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympic Games.
— Brandon Demura
Chloe Chang
From dreams of working in fashion design to helping design Australia’s first lunar rover, Chloe Chang has made the most of every opportunity before her.
The 23-year-old mechanical engineer made the massive decision to pursue an engineering career at 17, despite previously having her heart set on designing clothes.
At university, Ms Chang noticed she was one of very few women in her engineering classes but pushed boundaries with her love of math and design. She went on to co-lead Monash University’s Nova Rover team, where she turned the team’s robot pink to raise awareness for women in STEM fields.
The bright pink rover placed second at the University Rover Challenge in Utah in 2023.
After graduation, Chloe began full time work on Australia’s Roover project, which NASA will send to the moon.
“I am so elated to be on this project, it will be such a dream come true to see the rover on the moon and for it to execute its mission,” Ms Chang said.
Ms Chang’s future space ambitions go beyond the moon with her hoping to work on sending projects to Mars and Saturn.
— Erin Constable
Beau Woodbridge
His first ever theatre role was an “enthusiastic starfish” in a school production of The Little Mermaid.
Fast forward 14 years, and various supporting roles along the way, and Woodbridge has evolved into a leading man. He headlined the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen to glowing notices. The show wrapped in Melbourne last week.
Industry veterans say Beau, the son of tennis ace Todd Woodbridge, has a bright future ahead of him.
“His voice is extraordinary,” Australian theatre producer Michael Cassel said. “His intelligence, control and craft as an actor is wow!”
However, the strongest review came from closer to home.
“It’s a moment that, as a parent, you dream about for your kids,” Todd said. “I shake my head sometimes, and I go, ‘How do you do that?’ Then I smile and think, ‘Too good, mate.’”
— Nui Te Koha
Cody Weightman
Multifaceted AFL star Cody Weightman uses art to channel his emotions off the footy field.
“Everyone has got their own interests. But art is really important to me,” the Bulldogs forward said.
“My art is a way for me to express my emotions,” he added.
“It reminds me of the creative freedom you have as a child. Things get pretty serious in the footy world, so it’s great to bring back that innocence.
“It’s nice to lock in on a project that isn’t footy, escape footy, and have something else to focus on.”
His paintings, either on canvas, skateboards or street murals, are bright and playful.
Weightman hosted his first exhibition last year, to resounding success. He also posts new art projects to his Instagram page.
— Nui Te Koha
Felix Cameron
His breakthrough role came via the gritty Netflix family drama Boy Swallows Universe.
And during awards season, Felix Cameron, a 15-year-old from the Dandenong Ranges, has gobbled up every top acting prize.
At the 2024 Logies, where he won trophies for best new talent and best lead actor, Felix broke down in tears at the podium before thanking his dramaturge, Nadia Townsend.
Days later, Townsend explained Felix’s power as an actor.
“The quality of who you are as a person is always inherent in your art,” she said. “To be so in your skin … is a pretty amazing thing.”
Felix won best lead actor honours at the AACTA Awards earlier this month.
“I could just absolutely plateau and … (it’s) all downhill from here,” he joked at the event. “Hopefully not.”
— Nui Te Koha
Pollyanna Smith
Pollyanna Smith is Bendigo’s 2025 Young Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work and involvement in the Girl Guides Bendigo for the past 10 years.
In 2022 she was the first Girl Guide in the district in more than a decade to earn the Queen’s Guide Award, the group’s peak achievement.
Pollyanna identifies as a Wiradjuri woman and contributed to the development of Girl Guides Victoria’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and actively contributes to Volunteering Victoria’s inclusion and diversity team.
Pollyanna 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.
— Gianni Francis
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