Victorian/Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB)

Members currently live in Victoria or Tasmania but can have received treatment elsewhere. They are appointed for a three-year term and required to make a regular commitment of time. 

We recruit new Board members either mid-year or end of year, depending on vacancies. Young people can register their interest anytime via the link below. Applicants are eligible to join YCAB up until their 26th birthday.  

Appointments to the Board are made through a formal application and interview process.

YCAB mainly provides advice and guidance to:  

• The Victorian AYA Cancer Service
• The Victorian Government 
• The broader health and community sectors

This advice and guidance often relates to:  

• Models of cancer care, services, and referral pathways for young Victorians and Tasmanians
• Environments and facilities where young people receive treatment and support
• Strategies to support the health workforce to address the needs of young people with cancer  
• Research relating to young people affected by cancer

YCAB may take on other projects that are:

• Healthcare sector-driven initiatives (those where others are seeking YCAB's advice and guidance)
• Youth-led initiatives (those developed and driven by YCAB, in consultation with other young people)

YCAB meets six times per year. Meetings alternate between two-hour online weeknight meetings and five-hour in person Saturday meetings in the Youth Cancer Centre at Peter Mac in Melbourne. Board sub-committees can be set up as needed and may involve attendance at extra meetings.

Between meetings, communication is via email and members also have access to a Google Drive for all YCAB documents.

YCAB is governed by Peter Mac and reports to the Victorian AYA Cancer Service, who in turn reports to the Victorian Department of Health. YCAB also holds a seat on the state-wide Adolescent and Young Adult Advisory Committee.

Developing position statements to influence health policy and services

• Fertility preservation
• Access to clinical trials
• LGBTIQ+ youth health
• Mental health and wellbeing

Co-designing youth-friendly hospital environments

• The Youth Cancer Centre and other patient areas at Peter Mac
• An AYA room at the Royal Hobart Hospital 

Advising on services and programs relevant to young people

• Victorian Fertility Preservation Service
• CanEAT Pathway

Guiding the development of age-appropriate resources

• Thinking ahead: your guide to school, study and work
• Getting to grips with general practice
• Being ok….being you: a guide for young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and have cancer
• Can-Sleep: a guide to sleep for young people who have had cancer
• ReGenerate: life after treatment 

Contributing content and advice for health professional education and training programs

• University of Melbourne’s Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health & Wellbeing (Oncology) 
• eviQ’s online modules on AYA cancer care for nurses 

YCAB is led by two members who serve as Co-chairs. They are supported by the Victorian AYA Cancer Service Youth Participation Coordinator and Facilitators. Co-chairs share equal responsibility for Board operation and usually serve for a two-year term. You become eligible to be a co-chair following at least one year as a YCAB member. 

Members of YCAB undertake to:

• Represent young people affected by cancer in Victoria and Tasmania
• Provide advice about AYA oncology/issues/services, with support from the AYA team
• Read all correspondence before meetings
• Communicate between meetings as needed
• Maintain confidentiality of member information, meeting content and documents circulated
• Seek permission before engaging in discussions with other agencies while members of YCAB
• Notify co-chairs and the AYA team of any requests from media or stakeholders before any official business takes place
• Uphold the values and culture as agreed by the Board in situations where your actions will reflect on the Board. Act in the Board's best interest
• When acting on behalf of the Board:
  • Represent the views of the Board rather than the individual
  • Disclose any relevant engagements/activities you do outside of/separate to the Board
• Attend all meetings and provide apologies if not attending as early as possible
• Adhere to the Board’s Terms of Reference and Operational Guidelines 

The Victorian AYA Cancer Service (AYA team) undertakes to: 

• Support the preparation of meeting agendas and minutes
• Assist in facilitation of meetings
• Provide education, training and mentoring to YCAB members
• Arrange and pay for YCAB travel, venues, accommodation and food
• Ensure regular communication between the Board, Peter Mac and the Victorian Department of Health
• Disseminate all communications as appropriate and provide extra support as needed 

Creating an environment of support, safety, inclusion and respect is everyone's responsibility. 

Board members receive annual training in the following areas: 

• The meaning of youth advocacy
• The AYA cancer context and services that support young people with cancer 
• The components of Board governance. This includes how to: 
  • Chair a meeting
  • Prepare an agenda
  • Record minutes
  • Communicate outcomes
• Other topics as requested by the Board 

We recognise that young people may encounter triggering situations as part of their membership on the Board.

We have clear, discrete processes in place for members to raise any concerns. This also extends to the delivery of individualised or whole-Board support as needed.