Youth Ambassadors Champion the Future of Poetry

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“Poetry is the place where I can leave all the truth that comes to me, too late for me to say it.”

~ Maggie Knight-Williams, Youth Ambassador

Red Room Poetry is proud to introduce its 2025 Youth Ambassadors, four exceptional young poets who are helping to shape the future of poetry in Australia.

Throughout Poetry Month you can see them performing in our showcases, and read their commissioned poems as part of our 30in30 series.

Plus, they will be working with us to help build a Youth Poet Laureate program for Australia. Visit our blog to find out more.

“A Youth Poet Laureate Program is an investment into creativity, leadership, compassion, understanding, education and most importantly, the very youth that will one day make up all of our nation.”

~ K.J. Hayward, emerging spoken word artist, and APS Co-champion of 2023

The 2025 Red Room Youth Ambassadors are:

Rataj Abdullah (Regional NSW) – Spoken word artist, community organiser, and Australian Poetry Slam Finalist (2023)
Charlee Brooks (VIC) – Writer, content creator, and the creative force behind @grandpasbookclub
Maggie Knight-Williams (ACT) – Poet, writer, and law student
Zafty (WA/VIC) – Rapper, poet, Unearthed High Finalist (2023) and featured in Triple J’s ‘Most Underrated Flow’ segment

“Poetry is how I make sense of what I feel before I know how to name it. It’s a safe space to sit with contradictions and still call them beautiful.”

~ Zafty, Youth Ambassador