A huge congratulations to Year 12 VSV student, Ellen, who was recently named Nillumbik’s Young Woman of the Year.
The annual Young Women Leaders of Nillumbik Awards recognise and celebrate the contribution of young women in Nillumbik to their communities.
Ellen is an exceptional advocate for people with disability. She has mentored more than 80 autistic teens through her role with the I CAN Network. She also represented Asperger’s Victoria at the Senate Inquiry into Autism in 2021 as their Youth Advocate.
‘Ellen is a strong advocate for young people that are neurodivergent. She shows amazing resilience to overcome challenges. Ellen achieves her own ambitions, whilst helping others along the way,’ said Neil Bruckner, Ellen’s Learning Advisor.
Ellen has represented many peak disability bodies as their youth advocate for example, Futures Connect, CYDA and Yellow Lady Bugs. She is also a consumer consultant for the NDIS.