Former Youth Councillor and Inaugural Youth Mayor Khayshie Tilak Ramesh

In 2019, Khayshie Tilak Ramesh was elected as the City of Greater Bendigo’s first Youth Mayor as a member of the inaugural Youth Council. What began as a local leadership opportunity quickly became the foundation for a career that would see her influence change at local, state, national and international levels.  

At the time, Khayshie was completing her law degree at La Trobe University, working as a Legal and Governance Support Officer in the Victorian Government and was serving as the Multicultural Youth Commissioner of Victoria.  

Khayshie says that Youth Council was a unique opportunity to peek behind the curtain of local governance and have a seat at the table to influence decisions that affected young people in Bendigo. It was also fundamental in helping her build practical leadership skills, like advocacy, public speaking and strategic thinking, that are crucial to her work today.

For Khayshie, Youth Council wasn’t just symbolic. It was a space where young people were genuinely listened to, and where ideas and advocacy led to real outcomes. It also gave her early exposure to governance and the confidence to step into public leadership roles.  

A highlight of the experience for Khayshie was witnessing her fellow Youth Councillors step up as leaders. Khayshie says that “One of the most rewarding parts of being on Youth Council was watching everyone grow in confidence. It was such a joy to see people step into leadership for the first time, speak up in meetings, ask thoughtful questions and advocate for what mattered to them locally.”

Since her time on Youth Council, Khayshie has built a nationally recognised career as a lawyer, consultant, public speaker and thought leader. She has contributed her expertise across a range of local, state and national boards and advisory committees, shaping strategic direction, embedding inclusive practice and influencing policy outcomes across multiple sectors.

After finishing her Youth Council term, Khayshie completed her legal studies and worked as a Legal Advisor in the Victorian Government, before moving to Melbourne to take a leadership role in the beauty industry at MECCA Brands’ head office leading inclusion and diversity efforts.

Khayshie now runs her own diversity, equity and inclusion consultancy, supporting organisations through innovative organisational development and education solutions. She also lectures in justice at Swinburne University.

Alongside her consulting work, Khayshie is the Vice President and Deputy Chair of YWCA Australia, a non-executive director of Gender Equity Victoria and non-executive director for the Iceberg Foundation. 

Khayshie also serves as a Senior Industry Fellow at RMIT Forward: Centre for Future Skills and Workplace Transformation, an Education and Engagement Advisor at The Equality Institute, a panel member on the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll and a member of Think HQ’s national multicultural advisory.

In 2024, Khayshie was chosen to champion Australia’s gender equality priorities on the global stage as part of the Australian Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  

Khayshie's impact has been recognised through accolades including Multicultural Excellence Award for Community Service, Law Student of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, the Premier’s Volunteer Leadership Award and Joan Kirner Young and Emerging Women Leaders Scholar.

Looking back, Khayshie says: “I’d recommend the Youth Council to anyone in a heartbeat. It was one of the most impactful personal leadership experiences I’ve had, and I know I wouldn’t be here doing what I do in civic spaces without it. Seeing how it’s continued to evolve and empower young people makes me incredibly proud.”