Chris Young – Inspiring Our Future Leaders

Chris Young is channeling the life lessons he has learned from three careers into mentoring young people in Brisbane’s Bayside communities, and showing them the benefit of making positive choices.

Young went into the Royal Australian Navy as a 15-year-old in 1976 and spent 20 years in various roles, including 12 years as an aircrewman. A career highlight saw him involved in the dramatic 1994 rescue from the Southern Ocean of French solo sailor Isabelle Autissier.

After leaving the Navy, he looked at other opportunities and continued his life of service by joining the police force.

An opportunity to enter the business world beckoned after he joined an old Navy mate who was a mechanic, in setting up three motor vehicle service businesses in Brisbane.

Young has recently worked as a volunteer mentor for Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation’s Onwards & Upwards programs at Victoria Point State High School and YMCA Victoria Point.

“I wanted to get involved in giving back to the community and came across Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation,” Young said.

“It looked like a great opportunity to utilise my experience in a positive way to benefit others and myself.

“Having worked with young people as a police officer, I’m passionate about investing in our young people, which is investing in our future. Along the way, I was encouraged to go to university and received a degree in social science as a mature-age student.

“My whole driving force has been to nurture young people early, and hopefully leave a legacy with those young folks to go on and lead our country.”

“In mentoring, I can show them that I didn’t have much of a school education, but I was able to go on and end up with a university degree and have successful careers, including as a commissioned naval officer.”

Over eight weeks, participants in the Onwards & Upwards Wellbeing Program delivered to students and young people in public, flexi, and private schools, undertake a personal development and mentoring program that uncovers and embraces their values as individuals and takes a deep dive into their wellbeing, motivation, resilience, and accountability.

Young put a lot of time in with younger apprentices in his motor businesses. He invested a lot of time with them because he believes that if you invest early, you can make a real difference and get positive outcomes across the board.

“Mentoring is not about preaching or telling them what to do, but showing them alternatives and positive thinking, before they might head down a negative path,” he said.

“The navy was my mentor, and I try to share with the young people what I learned, including discipline, and the values of a rules-based organisation, which reflects society. I also enjoy getting to know them a bit, and breaking down any stereotypes of me as an older person.”

The Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation will hold over 80 programs in 2025 in Queensland, focusing on its core groups of young people facing challenges, emerging student leaders, and job seekers.

The Foundation welcomes new mentors. To register your interest and to find out more please visit inspiringbrighterfutures.com

You can make a general donation to Inspiring Brighter Futures and know that you’re directly improving the wellbeing and future of people in our community who need it the most.

ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828440 [email protected]