In 2023, yLead will be taking 40 high school graduates on an lifetime adventures to New Zealand and Cambodia celebrating Schoolies! These adventure filled, cultural immersions are led by yLead Tour Leaders and supported with a team of Schoolies Mentors; electric young leaders who will curate an inclusive, fun and safe group environment for our young travellers.
These incredible role models have been through a vigorous selection process, each of them carrying unique strengths, positive energy and worldly experience. Not only are they prepared to take on extra responsibilities and step up in their personal leadership journey, they are as equally excited to experience a new culture, develop new connections and throw themselves into an experience they will never forget.
Help Out: Cambodia
Joe Collins (Woomelang, VIC)
Hey everyone, my name is Joe, and I cannot wait to travel to Cambodia with you all! I graduated from Tyrell College in northern Victoria in 2017 and have been volunteering with yLead ever since. I was lucky enough to travel with yLead to New Zealand twice, as a participant and mentor on Thrill Out. I am looking forward to experiencing Cambodia for the first time. Two of my favourite hobbies are tennis and water skiing. I’m excited to explore new parts of the world and try all the things on offer!
Jess Faulks (Brisbane, QLD)
Hello! My name is Jess, and I am very excited to introduce myself to you all. I graduated from Mt Alvernia College in Brisbane in 2019. Since then, I have been busy studying Marketing/Communications, working full time in the industry, volunteering with yLead and delving deep into my hobbies of cooking and spending as much time as I can by the beach. I am so excited to be joining you all on Help Out in November, as I can’t wait to celebrate your achievements post-school, supporting you through an incredible, eye-opening, perspective-shifting adventure and just have lots of fun along the way. Looking forward to embarking on this exciting adventure with you all very very soon!
Stacy Chung (Melbourne, VIC)
Hello! My name’s Stacy, I’m 22 years old and currently have an unhealthy obsession with matcha lattes and playing chess in my free time. I graduated from Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School in Melbourne in 2019 and am currently studying psychology at Monash Uni. I also work part time at a nursery and in the winter, I do snow sports instructing. So if you have any questions about plants or snow, would love to discuss! I am ridiculously excited to meet some fresh faces and so keen to experience together the beautiful country that is Cambodia.
Charley Russell (Geelong, VIC)
Hey lovely people, my name is Charley Russell, and I am from Victoria. I live in Geelong and graduated from Belmont High School last year. I am a big lover of all things sport and music. You will hear me singing or dancing in most situations so please don’t leave me hanging alone and join in! I am a sucker for country music especially Morgan Wallen but also the queen herself Taylor Swift! Second thing that you have to know about me is I froth field hockey and play for Geelong in the winter months, which is super fun, also but takes up all my spare time! I am really excited for this trip to experience the culture. I have heard so many wonderful things about this beautiful country and I cannot wait to explore and experience all Cambodia has to offer. I am also excited to give back to children who are growing up in a different lifestyle to my own. I hope I can teach these children a small thing or two but also learn and grow so much personally through the actions, morals and values of all the people we get to interact with while away. I look forward to seeing all your beautiful faces very soon. Until then, good luck for the last little bit of Year 12 and know we are excited to celebrate your individual journeys! <3
Claire Imlach (Canberra, ACT)
My name is Claire, and I am so excited to be one of the mentors for this year’s Cambodia trip. I graduated from St Patrick’s College in Launceston in 2019 and was lucky enough to go on Help Out Cambodia after graduation. I am so excited to meet everyone and make some wonderful connections. I have had lots of experience with travelling overseas for volunteering, so if you have any questions about packing or worries about the trip, don’t be afraid to ask. My two favourite hobbies are crocheting and photography (you will see a Polaroid camera on the trip). I would love to hear from you what your favourite things are.
Udit Dhami (Melbourne, VIC)
Hey hey, my name is Udit Dhami and I’m from Melbourne, Victoria. I graduated from Brentwood Secondary College in 2021. I’m currently studying a double degree in Law and Commerce at Monash University. Something I’ve gotten into recently is fitness/going to the gym! I’ve found it to be a really good way to destress and constantly better myself. Another hobby of mine is playing/listening to music. My main instrument is guitar, but I’ve also dabbled with saxophone throughout my time at school. In terms of music, I find myself listening to a lot of Drake. I’m super excited for this trip because I really want to immerse myself in a new culture and place. I think it’ll be a really great experience to connect with a completely different way of life.
Ruby Spottiswood (Brisbane, QLD)
Hey hey! My name is Ruby and I graduated from the Rockhampton Grammar School back in 2017. I’m now living in Brisbane with my girlfriend, studying education at UQ and loving it! Two of my favourite hobbies are reading books and staring longingly at other people’s dogs. Showing me photos of your pets is welcome and encouraged. I’m SO excited for this trip as I did Help Out for my own Schoolies Alternative and have wanted to go back to Cambodia since! I can’t wait to meet the 2023 team 🙂
Thrill Out!: New Zealand
Jack Drury (Brisbane, QLD)
G’day! My name is Jack, and I am super pumped to be travelling across the Tasman with you all on Thrill Out New Zealand! I graduated from Burnside State High School on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, which is where I met yLead and went on Thrill Out as a participant, making me even more excited to be returning as a mentor. You probably also recognise me, as I am yLead’s trusty Travel Coordinator. My passions and hobbies include rugby league, photography and exploring the great outdoors, which coincides with my recently attained university degree of Tourism, Leisure and Events Management. I am beyond excited to be returning to New Zealand not only to relive Thrill Out but to provide you all with the kind of experience I had in 2019, something that sticks with you forever. You have all worked so hard to get to the end of school and I cannot wait to celebrate with you. Until then, keep up the hard work and I’ll see you in Rotorua in December!
Josh Mitchell (Melbourne, VIC)
Hey I’m Josh! I commenced volunteering for yLead in 2019 after graduating as School Captain of Luther College in Melbourne. I am extremely passionate about sharing stories and connecting with people, and my work with yLead has helped grow and nurture this passion. I’m currently completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne (VCA). In my spare time away from study, I love performing and creating theatre, as well as getting out in nature wherever possible. Whether that be 4WDing with my mates in the Victorian high country or heading down to the peninsula for a surf. I can’t wait to meet you all in New Zealand in December!
Jon Heard (Brisbane, QLD)
My name is Jon and I graduated not too long ago (2022) from a school in Brisbane, St Laurence’s College. I’m someone that loves a chat, loves to eat, loves to chill and most importantly loves to try new things – new THRILLING things. That’s why I am so excited to be a mentor on Thrill Out this year! I get to spend a week in beautiful NZ, with some fun school leavers that are looking to celebrate and adventure – how good!
Rachel Uhlmann (Brisbane, QLD)
Hey, I’m Rachel (or Rach) and I am thrilled to be heading over to NZ with you to celebrate finishing Year 12! I graduated from Holland Park SHS in Queensland in 2019 and was fortunate to be able to celebrate Schoolies in Cambodia with yLead. Outside of work and uni, I enjoy flipping around at a gymnastics gym and taking my dog Daisy on mini adventures in the bush. I am excited to meet everyone, as we step outside our comfort zones and embrace all the thrills and adventures Thrill Out NZ has in store for us all!
Angie Hambleton (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Hi everyone, I am Angelina Hambleton and I’m so excited to be a Thrill Out mentor this year! Some quick fun facts about me: I graduated from Burnside High School on the Sunshine Coast in 2021, some of my hobbies include art (I love to paint), rockpooling (I love seeing how many unique invertebrates I can find – sea hares are my favourite find) and bushwalking (it’s so important to immerse yourself into the incredible nature all around you!). I am so excited for this trip because I get to experience New Zealand with an incredible group of people! And learn about its beautiful people and lands! I can’t wait to meet you all. My biggest tip for this experience is to have courage, jump outside of your comfort zone and embrace every second! I will be there every step of the way for support! Can’t wait to meet you all!
Alex Evans (Melbourne, VIC)
Hi! My name is Alex and I graduated from Ave Maria College in Melbourne in 2022. In my spare time, I love to read and run, especially in nice sunny weather. I’m so excited for this trip because it’ll be my first time in New Zealand and I’m a massive adrenaline junkie – so the activities are right up my alley. I also can’t wait to meet everyone and form incredible connections!
Jayme Lenton (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Hi! I’m Jayme! I’m 20 years old from the beautiful Sunshine Coast, an outdoor recreation instructor and a world traveller. I’m SO excited to be one of your mentors for Thrill Out 2023! What an amazing opportunity to get outside of our comfort zones and truly live life to the fullest. I can’t wait to see the amount growth, love and connection on this trip.