22/05/2026
Parri Kaur (pictured) recently won the CoGG award and is a member of the Cultura Youth Council and so to honour National Volunteer Week we did a little Q&A with her.
Thanks for all you do, Parri!
City of Greater Geelong
Q&A with Parri Kaur:
QU: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your involvement with the Cultura Youth Council?
- I’m Ruhaniat Parri Kaur (Shah), a youth leader from Geelong. I’ve proudly been part of the Cultura Youth Council for the past three years, where currently I’m working in a youth Engagement group helping the lead, coming up with new ideas, taking opportunities and encouraging young people feel connected, involved and supported within the community. Alongside I’m also heavily involved with the Punjabi Swag community as a Punjabi teacher at Virasiti Punjabi school Geelong and Bhangra and Giddha coach for the past 4-5 years.
QU: What first inspired you to start volunteering within the community?
- Growing up in a multicultural community inspired me to volunteer because I saw how important inclusion, support, and representation are for young people. I wanted to help others feel confident, accepted, and proud of their identity. I also realised volunteering can genuinely change someone’s life, even in small ways, which encouraged me to get involved and give back.
QU: You received a City of Greater Geelong Youth Award last year for your volunteering achievements: tell us what did that recognition mean to you?
- Receiving the City of Greater Geelong Youth Awards meant so much to me because it made me feel genuinely appreciated and recognised for the work I’ve been doing within the community. I was incredibly thankful, but it also motivated me to continue growing, improving, and pushing myself even further. It encouraged me to keep using my voice, leadership, and passion to create positive change and continue supporting others within the community.
QU: What do you enjoy most about being part of the Cultura Youth Council and the Punjabi SWAG community?
- What I enjoy most about being part of the Cultura Youth Council is the friendships, opportunities, and experiences that come with it. I love being surrounded by passionate young people who genuinely want to make a difference and support one another while creating positive change in the community.
- In Punjabi SWAG Geelong, I feel incredibly proud teaching Punjabi language, Bhangra, and Gidha to younger generations. Helping young people stay connected to their culture, feel confident in their identity, and be proud of their roots is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
QU: What advice would you give to other young people who are thinking about volunteering or getting involved in their community?
- I would say give everything a go and never be afraid to put yourself out there. Sometimes the opportunities that seem the most intimidating become the experiences that help you grow the most. Most importantly, always be proud of who you are and where you come from.
QU: What has been part of the Cultura Youth Council taught you about leadership and community?
- Being part of the Cultura Youth Council has taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, communication, and kindness. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that leadership is not just about leading people — it’s about listening to others, supporting your team, and creating opportunities for everyone to feel included and valued. It also taught me to believe in myself and have confidence in my ideas.
QU: Can you share a moment through volunteering where you realised you were making a real difference?
- One moment that really stayed with me was teaching a student at Virasiti Punjabi School Geelong who originally felt embarrassed about his culture and didn’t enjoy learning Punjabi. He also struggled to communicate confidently with his grandparents because he couldn’t properly speak the language.
- Through creating a supportive, fun, and encouraging environment, I slowly watched his confidence grow. Eventually, he became proud of his culture and much more connected to his roots. Receiving a message from his parent thanking us and expressing how proud they were made me realise the genuine impact volunteering and cultural connection can have.
QU: How has volunteering helped shape your confidence, skills or future goals?
- Volunteering has shaped me through building confidence, empathy, leadership, and communication skills. It has taught me to always support others while also growing as a person. It has inspired me to keep working with young people and continue creating positive change in the future
QU: Why do you think multicultural youth voices are so important in the Geelong community?
- Multicultural youth voices are incredibly important because they represent the diversity, experiences, and future of the next generation. Young people from different backgrounds bring unique perspectives and ideas that help strengthen communities and create greater understanding between cultures. In a growing and diverse city like Geelong, it’s important that all young people feel seen, heard, and represented. When multicultural youth are empowered to speak up and lead, it helps challenge stereotypes, build unity, and create positive change throughout the wider community.
QU: What makes the Cultura Youth Council different or special for young people wanting to get involved?
- The Cultura Youth Council is special because it genuinely empowers young people to use their voice and create meaningful change within the community. It’s not just about participating in activities.
— it’s about being encouraged to lead, inspire others, and bring your ideas to life. It’s also an incredibly welcoming and supportive environment, especially for multicultural youth. Cultura gives young people opportunities to build confidence, leadership skills, friendships, and connections while making a real impact. I’m extremely thankful to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey so far, and I’m excited for everything still ahead.
