The Y in Australia (formerly the YMCA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jarrod Dobson as its inaugural National Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. Most recently Chief of Staff to former Victorian Minister, Jaala Pulford, Jarrod was the Minister’s principal policy adviser across diverse portfolios including Employment, Innovation, Regional Development, Small Business and Roads. He brings more than 20 years of experience in government, policy reform, strategy and delivery, across a range of policy areas. In recent years he led Minister Pulford’s team on the Victorian government’s COVID response, delivering a $619 million employment program, developing a major economic stimulus program and supporting small businesses to reopen safely.

Jarrod has also overseen state-wide community engagement programs that have enabled thousands of regional Victorians to have their say, and supported communities amidst crisis, with the development of crisis relief support.

“Jarrod brings extensive experience in advocacy, government and public administration, strategic nous, and proven strength in people leadership, to the inaugural role of National Director,” said the Y’s National CEO, Tal Karp.

The Y is at the coal-face across 680 communities in every state and territory, working to support and enable children and young people from the earliest of ages, throughout their life journey.

Our new National Advocacy, Public Policy and Research function provides the mechanism to harness our deep knowledge ‘in’ the system, to work ‘on’ the system – to enable the Y to collectively step up, speak out, and shape a better world with and for young people.   We are more than excited to have Jarrod’s expertise and energy on board in building what promises to be a game-changing function for the Y, the young people and the communities we serve!”

Jarrod said he was thrilled to be working with Y Australia.  “It’s an organisation bursting with potential, working with communities in every corner of the land,” he said. “With this new role, I’m committed to help turn up the voices of young people in the national conversation, to influence governments and to deliver wins that make a real difference to our communities.”

About the Y

The Y is the largest youth movement in the world, reaching 65 million people in over 120 countries, in every continent.
In Australia, our 12 member associations span over 680 communities Australia wide, through the dedication of our 11,500+ staff and volunteers (more than half of these, being young people).

The Y provides a broad range of services that support children and young people across the course of their lives – from childcare, outside school care and youth development programs, to disability services, access schools and community recreation services. See our 2022 Community Impact Report, here; and our website, here: www.ymca.org.au.