Meet 11 of Adelaide’s Gen Z councillors representing young people in local government
They are young, driven, full of fresh ideas and these Gen Z Adelaide councillors are redefining civic duty. See how they plan to shape tomorrow’s world today.
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They are bright and passionate with a sense of civic duty, meet Adelaide’s Gen Z councillors.
Frustrated with the lack of representation and a desire to provide a younger voice in local government, these young leaders say they are driven by a strong sense of community and a desire to make a tangible difference.
While councillors are sometimes criticised for using the role as the first step towards a career in politics, many of this young crop say their priority is serving the community over climbing the political ladder.
The next generation are bringing a fresh perspective to councils chambers across South Australia – and there’s more of them elected to decision making roles than you may expect.
Get to know the nine Gen Zs and two Zillennials representing their communities.
Rebecca Vandepeear
Council: City of Playford, Ward One
Age: 27
Rebecca Vandepeear knows first-hand the challenges that come with starting a new life in an unfamiliar country.
As an eight-year-old child, Cr Vandepeear could not fathom why her parents wanted to move to the other side of the world.
In hindsight, it’s a decision she is “incredibly grateful” for.
Born in York, her family witnessed the poverty and hardship brought about by the de-industrialisation of northern England.
So when her father was offered a job on the railways in NSW the family moved to Australia, seeking better opportunities for both themselves and their children.
And while the future looks bright for the now 27 year old it has not always been that way.
Cr Vandepeear’s mother struggled to find work in the early years after arriving in Australia.
They also, like many Australians, have been unable to enter the property market and own a home.
“Migration journeys are different for everyone and I acknowledge that a lot of people have had it a lot harder than I have,” Cr Vandepeear said.
“But it doesn’t take away from the fact that moving your entire life to another country is really difficult.”
Cr Vandepeear was the first in her family to buy a home, one of the first to attend university, she is now a ministerial communications adviser, up-and-comer in the Labor Party, and councillor at the City of Playford.
Moving around from NSW to WA, the family settled in SA when Cr Vandepeear was 14-years-old.
Living in Angle Vale, she became involved in equestrian vaulting and at 17-years-old represented Australia at the Junior World Equestrian Vaulting Championships in France.
Struggling to finance attending the event, Cr Vandepeear learnt the value of community spirit and the power of generosity.
“There are some families in the sport who do have a lot of resources and do have the ability to send themselves and their horses overseas to compete,” she said.
“But that wasn’t an option for me which is why I had to spend so much time fundraising and writing to local members of parliament, writing to the state and federal government and local community groups asking for that support, because I didn’t have it myself.
“But I didn’t want it to stop people like me who don’t have that privilege to be able to represent their country.”
Cr Vandepeear has tried to give back to the community ever since.
Graduating university in 2020, she started her career in the state government.
“I enjoyed my work, but I wanted to be closer to where decisions were made and to have a direct impact on the issues that matter to people,” she said.
“That’s when I decided to run for local council.”
And while Cr Vandepeear doesn’t have a set plan for her future, community is at the heart of wherever her professional and council career takes her.
“As long as I’m working to make life better for the people in my community, I’ll feel fulfilled,” she said.
Isaac Solomon
Council: Town of Gawler Council
Age: 24
A UniSA law student and a Labor Party member, Isaac Solomon has the credentials for a career in politics – though at this stage he says his future is in practising law.
Frustrated with how Gawler Council was being run, Cr Solomon decided to enter the 2022 elections despite his age.
“I was driven by the strong belief that it’s the small things done right that can make the biggest difference in people’s lives,” the 24-year-old said.
Believing good leadership is found in a willingness to serve others, Cr Solomon said council leadership needed to refocus and get on with prioritising the things that matter most to the community.
“I saw many parts of the community that I believed deserved better and responsibilities that I felt had been neglected in exchange for visions of grandeur and petty politicking,” the Trinity College graduate said.
Three years on Cr Solomon believes council is once more gaining control of its finances while establishing solid, practical plans for Gawler’s future.
Andy Xing
Council: City of Burnside, Kensington Park Ward
Age: 24
Championing a range of initiatives focused on sustainability and youth engagement, City of Burnside councillor Andy Xing is the youngest member to be elected in the council’s history and the first of Asian descent.
Actively involved with the council’s youth committees while at high school, Cr Xing became interested in the role of civic leadership to ensure younger generations had a voice within local government.
But it was the evolving multicultural landscape of the eastern suburbs that inspired him to take the next step and run for council.
“I felt it was important to step in and advocate for both the youth and our diverse communities,” the 24-year-old said.
He has worked with various cultural groups to foster greater community involvement and representation within the council.
A management consultant at PwC Australia, Cr Xing is committed to continuing his advocacy for progressive policies within the council, particularly around road safety, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Ethan White
Council: Town of Gawler Council
Age: 22
A filmmaker from Gawler, Ethan White is one of the youngest councillors in South Australia.
The 22-year-old leader is extensively involved in community initiatives, charities and committees and was named a finalist in the 2024 South Australian Young Achiever Awards.
Like many of his Gen Z colleagues, Cr White felt compelled to “give back to a community” that had given him so much.
He also noticed young people were not being represented within council chambers and thought he could be part of the solution.
“Historically, local government has been made up of typically older people,” Cr White said.
As for the future, he said he did not have any political aspirations and his political journey would likely end at local government.
For Cr White, it’s about “active citizenship”.
“I really just love my community and felt this is a wonderful way of giving back,” he said.
Katrina Stroet
Council: City of Playford, Ward Four
Age: 27
Katrina Stroet ran for council because she wanted young people to know that they could “shape the future”.
An aged care worker, the City of Playford councillor hopes to inspire young people to “stand up, speak up, and get involved” within their local community.
Becoming a mother has only strengthened that resolve.
“I want to help shape a city where (my daughter) and all young people can grow, thrive, and have every opportunity to succeed,” the 27-year-old said.
Home to a burgeoning population due to multiple housing developments, Cr Stroet hoped her work in council would help maintain the close-knit community spirit typical of the north.
“The work I do today is about ensuring Playford continues to be a great place for the next generation, where families feel supported and connected,” she said.
“The north is built on community spirit, and I believe that when young people get involved, they strengthen that spirit by helping those around them,”
Stroet is studying to become a registered nurse to further support those in need.
Luci Blackborough
Council: Campbelltown City Council, Hectorville Ward
Age: 24
A communications professional at LMS Energy, Luci Blackborough was SA’s youngest councillor when she was first elected in 2018.
Passionate about her community, sustainability, and making sure people feel heard, Cr Blackborough ran for council because she wanted to see more young people involved in the decision-making process.
“Local government has a big impact on our day-to-day lives but often flies under the radar,” the 24-year-old said.
“I saw an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective and get more people engaged.”
Focused on developing professionally within the corporate affairs and communications space, Cr Blackborough hopes to shape conversations around sustainability and innovation within the energy sector.
It is also a key focus at council, as she continues to advocate for accessible and sustainable initiatives that improve our area.
“Long term, I want to keep finding ways to make a positive impact on people’s lives, wherever that takes me,” she said.
Colt Stafford
Council: City of Onkaparinga, Knox Ward
Age: 21
Colt Stafford ran for council because he thought it would be good professional experience while studying a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations at Flinders University.
But during his campaign he realised he had the opportunity to “do some good in the community” and work on solutions to issues affecting local residents.
“There was an opportunity to give a younger perspective within the chamber, advocate for local groups and issues I’d grown up around, turn the council’s economic situation around, and work on issues in the environment that I’d seen every time I walked to school only a few years ago,” the 21-year-old said
Professionally, Cr Stafford hopes to put his degree and experience in local government to use by working in a policy role within government.
“If there are any employers in that line of work who happen to be reading this, I’m quite easy to find,” he quipped.
Blake Lawrenson
Council: City of Tea Tree Gully, Water Gully Ward
Age: 23
Living in Tea Tree Gully his entire life, Blake Lawrenson was just 21 years old when he became a councillor.
Connection to his local community and a desire to serve his “home” were the main motivators that led Cr Lawrenson to run.
The opportunity to engage directly in the decision making process, as a young person, was another factor.
“I have often felt that young people are told by others ‘this is what young people
think’, while those same others wonder why young people aren’t as expected,” the now 23-year-old said.
“As the closest level of government to citizens, and one that provides so many services to young people, it is vital to ensure young people are appropriately represented.”
Fascinated by the power behind language and advocacy, Cr Lawrenson completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide last year.
Professionally, he is working towards being admitted to the bar and practising law and is also keen to continue representing his ward in council.
Hugh Holfeld
Council: City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Torrens Ward
Age: 23
Hugh Holfeld ran for council because he wanted to provide a voice for young people who might not otherwise be represented.
He also wanted to be involved in shaping the council’s long term future.
As an elected member he has focused on improving the area’s liveability for residents focusing on environmental preservation and restoration, traffic management, and community facilities and organisations.
Currently studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Cr Holfeld admits that he is unsure whether he will run in the next set of council elections.
Expecting to graduate in the middle of 2025, he is currently interning as an engineer.
Whatever the future holds, he is still committed to strengthening the community, “whether it be through council or other means”, the 23-year-old said.
THE ZILLENNIALS
On the cusp of Gen Z and Millennial
Yassir Ajrish
Council: Campbelltown City Council, Hectorville Ward
Age: 29
A geophysicist and project management professional with experience across multiple sectors, Yassir Ajrish is a councillor dedicated to community advocacy, governance, and strategic leadership.
Believing in the importance of inclusive representation and strong community engagement, Cr Ajrish’s lived experience and community work motivated him to advocate for those who are often unheard – leading him to run for council.
And while he tries to ensure council decisions reflect the needs of all residents, he is particularly concerned with advocating for the community’s most vulnerable.
As a board member and deputy chairperson of the Australian Refugee Association, Cr Ajrish works to support refugees and migrants, ensuring they have access to essential services, education, and employment opportunities.
“I have always been actively involved in community engagement, particularly in advocating for disadvantaged groups,” the 29-year-old said.
Continuing to champion initiatives within council that promote social inclusion, equitable access to services, and meaningful community engagement.
Cr Ajrish hopes to strengthen the connections between council and the people it serves.
Tom Morrison
Council: City of Mitcham, Park Ward
Age: 29
Balancing an IT business with his duties as a councillor, Tom Morrison is dedicated to representing his community and advocating for the environment.
Representing The Park Ward within Mitcham – which has some of the highest levels of tree canopy cover in the state – he has championed tree conservation through community groups and the Conservation Council of SA.
Cr Morrison, who studied a Bachelor of Advanced Leadership at Flinders University, said he put his hand up for election because he loves where he lives, trees, and giving back to the community.
“I first ran for council in 2018 to find out if other local residents shared my passion for trees and keeping the local area green – turns out there was significant community support,” the 29-year-old said.
Elected in 2022, Cr Morrison said there was still a lot of work to be done solving local issues, balancing priorities from across the council area with the financial impact on ratepayers.
“A lot of council’s core service levels aren’t meeting community expectations so that will be a particular focus for me going forward,” he said.
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