Meet 2025 Youth Governor of Victoria, Lily Trethowan

Lily Trethowan was voted 2025 Youth Governor of Victoria at the closing ceremony of the Y’s 2024 Youth Parliament. 

Lily is from Victoria’s western suburbs and throughout her teens took on leadership roles from Guides to school. At Y Victoria, Lily has volunteered in the Youth Parliament Program for more than four years as a participant and Taskforce member.

Outside of the Youth Parliament program, Lily has been a member of the Victorian Youth Congress and was also a part of an advisory group for the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria's (YACVic) Mental Health Royal Commission. She balances all this while working as a high school teacher’s aid and undergoing her final year of a Bachelor of Secondary Education/Bachelor of Arts. 

Lily is a key Y Victoria spokesperson for civics education and youth advocacy.

Profile image of the Youth Parliament Youth Governor Lily Trethowan

Summary of proposed 2025 Bills

Click the drop downs below to learn about the Bills we're debating each day.

Legislative Assembly Chamber (not open to the public)

  • Monday 7 July
     

    Matter of Public Importance

    This House endorses the continued and increased investment in Women’s Healthcare, including education, the provision of free period products in public spaces, reducing stigma, and access to diagnoses and treatments.

    Ivanhoe Girls Grammar

    Increased Retention Veteran Teachers

    This Bill encourages experienced veteran teachers to continue teaching and sharing their knowledge in Victorian classrooms.

    A dedicated program to incentivise experienced teachers will help address the teacher shortages and support the new and existing teachers with more mentors and more rewarding pathways.

    Overnewton Anglican Community College

    Pesticide-Free Pollinator Gardens 

    This Bill calls for an Act to create pesticide-free pollinator gardens across Victoria’s suburban and rural regions to support biodiversity.

    Sustainable practices include solar-powered irrigation systems and pre-populated human-made beehives to support native bee species with the establishment of a state-wide agency to oversee the implementation and regulation of these gardens.

    Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee

    Increased Accessibility of non-car centric transport

    This Bill promotes standardised and enforceable guidelines to promote sustainable transport infrastructure such as public transport, cycling and other forms of active transport and reduce the reliance of cars. 

    Expected population growth in the state – particularly in the outer suburbs – will require sustainable transport infrastructure planned and integrated in these new areas in order to reduce the over reliance on cars and increase the options for using sustainable transport.

  • Tuesday 8 July

    The Grange P-12

    Improved Professional Development for Teachers

    This Bill aims to strengthen the effectiveness of secondary school teachers across the state with the creation of an Educational Advisory Board that runs key programs.

    Professional support for teachers will include: structured feedback systems for teachers to review and improve their teaching through student feedback, mentorship connecting rural and metropolitan educators and standardised lesson plan reviews.

    Boroondara City Council

    Increased Accessibility of period products

    This Bill aims to both alleviate the costs of period products for the Victorian public and increase access to them in a range of places.

    The cost and access to period products is a barrier for many who need them. Making these products more affordable and readily accessible will provide dignity and support to those facing cost or other barriers.

    Frankston Community Youth Leaders

    Increased Access to Youth Legal Support Bill

    This Bill to create the Youth Legal Support Service aims to support the needs of young people seeking justice and legal support. As a dedicated funded service, young people will be able to access legal information and advice that they need either in-person or online.

    The service will partner with government schools to improve legal literacy amongst young people through educational programs as well as directly help those facing legal issues.
    It would be a vital addition to the legal aid system.

  • Thursday 10 July

    Hoppers crossing Secondary College

    VCAA Scaling System Reform Bill

    This Bill addresses the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority process in scaling and marking VCE assignments and exams to improve fairness and increase transparency.

    The Bill aims to redefine the scaling of English scores to prevent them being scaled down and remove the requirement of English being part of the primary four subjects. The 10% increase for studying a language will also be revised.

    South Gippsland Shire

    Prevention of Wildlife Deaths on Roads

    This Bill addresses the high number of wildlife fatalities on Victoria’s roads.

    The Bill supports a protection board and a range of activities to increase social awareness, road maintenance and specialised education for veterinarians on wildlife care.

    The Grange P-12

    Reduction of Public Transport Fares

    This Bill will lower public transport fares in Victoria to make travel more affordable and accessible for all Victorians.

    By working towards a 50c flat fee and free travel for all students, the Bill aims to encourage greater public transport use and reduce the cost barriers for more people to access the services, education and employment opportunities they need.

    Westbourne Grammar School

    Mental Health Days for Students Bill 2025

    This Bill introduces wellbeing days and mental health program in Victorian Schools. Students in year 10-12 would take up to four wellbeing days without penalty or impact to their mandatory attendance requirement. Schools would be required to provide mental health workshops and promote mental health awareness with the aim to improve student wellbeing.

Legislative Council Chamber (note this Chamber is open for public viewing)

  • Monday 7 July

    Geelong Youth Parliament

    Victorian Swim and Water Safety Board Act

    This proposed Bill aims to improve water safety education and reduce preventable drownings in Victoria by creating a dedicated body — the Victorian Swim and Water Safety Board (VSWSB). The Board will:

    • Oversee education, enforcement, and planning related to drowning prevention.
    • Regulate and reform training standards for swimming instructors across public and private sectors, ensuring consistency with national benchmarks.
    • Promote research and public awareness on water safety issues.

    The Bill specifically responds to the rise in incidental drownings, particularly among young people, and aims to fill current gaps in industry regulation.

    South East Community Links (SECL) Youth Leaders

    Increased Job Opportunities for Newly Arrived People

    This Bill calls for a dedicated board to support newly arrived individuals with support through job applications, English language, job opportunities and incentives for employers and welfare for those who are ineligible.

    Its aim is to promote social inclusion and economic participation by removing obstacles and increasing resources.

    John Fawkner College

    Provisional License and Learners Permit Reform Bill

    This Bill reduces the Provision Licence from 18 years of age to 17 years of age in line with other states.

    The Bill retains the same requirements – 120 hours supervised driving experience and adds a mental capacity test to determine the young person’s maturity to drive. Lowering the age for provisional drivers will increase the independence of young people in their final secondary school years in driving to school, work places and other activities. It will also support those entering trades to attend their worksites.

  • Tuesday 8 July

    The Huddle

    Employment Assistance for Young People

    This Bill calls for an Act that equips young people with the skills for successful careers. It creates structured internship programs and job training initiatives that bridges the skills gap and promotes social inclusion – particularly for marginalised groups.

    This initiative includes real world experience, networking and pathways to employment and careers to ensure young people have more equal opportunities to participate in the workforce.

    Mildura City Council

    Family Violence Education in Secondary Schools

    This Bill is for an Act that boosts education on family violence including its causes, impacts and prevention through support services and resources developed by the proposed Family Violence Education Board.

    The aim is to prevent the cycle of family violence through early intervention measures and ultimately to decrease the prevalence of family violence in Victoria.

    Hume City Council

    Mandatory Financial Literacy Education in Secondary Sills

    This act aims to increase financial literacy in young people to equip them with the skills they need throughout their lives – from budgeting, saving, investing, understanding loans, insurance and superannuation. Ultimately, investing in this financial literacy early aims to promote economic independence and improve the financial position of the community, reducing reliance on government assistance.

    Newhaven College

    Community Gardens Initiatives Bill

    A permit reform makes it easier for residents and groups to create and maintain community gardens and to reduce the current obstacles involved.

    By creating a more universal process to access a community garden permit, the Bill includes the provision of subsided materials and collaboration with other organisations to support the ongoing maintenance of the gardens for future generations.

    Improved community engagement, positive environmental impacts and addressing food insecurity are amongst the benefits expected from this change.

  • Thursday 10 July

    Manor Lakes P-12

    Future Pathways and Life Skills Education

    Life after school can be tricky and confusing, particularly when you’re unsure of your options. This Bill would create a standardised education program that empowers students with the skills they will need to apply for tertiary education programs, or employment as well as support to transition to VCE or VCE Vocational Major.

    Compulsory for government schools and optional for private schools, the program would be extended to rural/regional areas and those who are home-schooled.

    Kyabram P-12

    Increased Regularity and Accessibility of Rural Public Transport

    The Bill calls for the proposed Victorian Transport for Rural Accessibility Committee to become a permanent advisory body dedicated to rural transport issues and solutions to improve connectivity for those living in regional areas.

    This Bill recognises the disadvantage for those who live outside metropolitan areas and the isolation that many in Victoria’s regional and rural populations face. From reduced access to medical care, education and employment to enjoying recreation activities young people and those who rely on public transport in these areas have limited options. A focus on increasing regional public transport and other transport solutions will support a more equitable experience for those in more remote areas.

    Golden Plains Shire

    Increased Mental Health Services in Schools

    This Bill focusses on addressing bullying in schools and support mental healthcare infrastructure in schools via the proposed Victorian Student Mental Health and Support and Education Board.

    School years can present a challenging time for young people facing mental health issues with an estimated 38%+ experiencing a disorder by the age of 24. This Bill will support students during these critical years to access the resources and support that they need, including safe school environments for students being bullied.

Debate timetables

Monday 7 July

Tuesday 8 July

Thursday 10 July