At just 17, Aashini Rastogi is already making her mark across local government, education, youth advocacy and community service, demonstrating how young Australians from multicultural backgrounds are helping shape the country’s future.
The Youth Mayor of Nillumbik Shire Council, incoming 2027 School Vice-Captain of The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and a senior leader in the Australian Air Force Cadets, Aashini has taken on responsibilities that extend well beyond her years.
As a Cadet Under Officer, the highest cadet rank, she has held leadership positions within the Air Force Cadets and has been involved in leading a squadron of approximately 140 cadets. She also serves as the Cadet Lead Public Affairs and Communications Officer for 4 Wing in Victoria, contributing to youth communications and public engagement.
Her leadership journey began at school, where she has accumulated more than eight years of experience in student leadership, including serving as a Student Representative Council representative, treasurer and peer support leader.
She is now preparing to take on the role of School Vice-Captain in 2027.
At Nillumbik Shire Council, Aashini first served as a Youth Councillor before becoming Youth Mayor in August 2026. Through this role, she has an opportunity to represent young people, contribute to local civic discussions and advocate for issues affecting her generation.
Aashini’s achievements have received recognition at state, local and national levels. She won first place in the 2025 Victorian Parliament Prize and was named Nillumbik’s 2025 Young Citizen of the Year.
She also received the Vivekanand Society of Australia’s Yuva of the Year award and was selected as an international finalist for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award in 2026.
Beyond formal leadership positions, she has demonstrated a commitment to volunteering and community service. As a Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award holder, she has completed substantial volunteering and service hours as part of the programme.
Her interests also extend to aviation and communications. Aashini has contributed articles to WINGS, a nationally and internationally distributed aviation magazine, using her writing and communications experience to engage with aviation-related topics.
She has also participated in public speaking, parliamentary engagements and civic events.
Last year, she joined a community panel at an International Women’s Day event hosted by Nillumbik Shire Council, sharing her perspectives alongside women making a difference in their communities.
For Aashini, leadership is closely connected to inclusion, representation and creating opportunities for others.
As a young woman of multicultural heritage, she is particularly passionate about promoting multiculturalism, empowering young women and ensuring that young people’s voices are heard in decisions that affect their lives.
Her journey highlights the contribution that young people from diverse backgrounds can make to Australian public life, not simply as future leaders but as active contributors to their communities today.
Aashini hopes that sharing her experiences will encourage other young Australians to embrace opportunities, develop confidence, find their voices and recognise the positive impact they can make.
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