who we are
Veta Youth supports the Christian growth of young people in schools and churches across Australia and beyond.
quick links
we partner with you to deliver an accredited Christian learning pathway for students from Years 7 -12.
We believe that Authentic Christian Learning leads to growth and transformation in the Christian life, where life and faith connect.
Veta Youth’s model of Authentic Christian Learning integrates an understanding of the Christian faith with spiritual formation and real-life application. Courses can be offered as part of the student curriculum for year 7-10 Christian Studies/Religious Education, and as an elective VET course for Year 11 and 12s.
This is a complete ‘package’ of engaging student curriculum, teacher-support, and resources that enable you to focus on your students.
We encourage you to come as your true self, inviting young people from all backgrounds and perspectives to share a real experience of the Christian life. Students respond with honesty and a readiness to engage.
Authentic Christian Learning honors the individual freedom of every student, while encouraging them to study the Bible, seek the truth, wrestle with their questions, strengthen relationships, and put it all into practice in real life.
Our desire is that every young person will have every opportunity to discover the fullness of life in Christ, and become all that God has created them to be.
our story
Veta Youth was started in 2002 by a group of like-minded Christians from across Australia who wanted to see more opportunities to nurture the faith of young people and see real spiritual growth.
They set out to help raise a generation of young people in the Christian life, and send them out as the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, demonstrating His love in every area of life; building families and communities centered on Christ; loving and serving and working to see their universities, their workplaces and their local suburbs transformed by God’s love.
Our founder and National Director of Veta Youth, Rev. Rohan Waters, established the work out of his experience as a chaplain in government secondary schools and as a denominational youth ministry director. Rohan was awarded the Farmington Fellowship to study at Oxford University, where he developed Veta Youth’s model for supporting the spiritual development of students.
From an initial group of 17 students in Victoria, the program quickly spread across the country.
Veta Youth now delivers an accredited Christian Learning Pathway for students from year 7-12 in every state of Australia, with over 3000 graduates around Australia and beyond.
our mission
To raise future generations in the Christian life and send them out to influence and give hope to the world.
our vision
We see a generation of young people raised up as men and women of God, committed to Christ, sent out to live as the salt and light of their world
we believe
Veta Youth proclaims that ‘Christ is risen’, and ‘Jesus is Lord’. Our primary commitment is baptism into Christ, and giving our life in His service.
Veta Youth confesses the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and seeks to fulfil its calling to the glory of the one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Veta Youth recognises the church as witness, in word and action, to the good news of Jesus Christ, and as a sign, an agent and a foretaste of the Kingdom of God.
our values
Personal Transformation
We believe that God uses Authentic Christian Learning to transform lives. Our guiding Bible verse is Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The whole family of God
We value the distinctive contribution of schools and churches from across the denominational spectrum.
Trust and empowerment
We hold firm to our core beliefs and we trust God with the outcome.
Innovation
We see God at work in the messiness of life, and respond as needed to fulfil God’s purposes in us.
The body of Christ
We value the unique gifts that each person brings, and we work together to achieve the mission God has called us to.
our unique value…
VETA’s unique contribution is found in our focus on Authentic Christian Learning for leaders, teachers and students within accredited educational frameworks.
Authentic Christian Learning has four distinctives:
Integrity
Authentic Christian Learning supports teachers and students to engage in teaching and learning with coherence between their beliefs, word and actions.
Christ-Centredness
Authentic Christian Learning is openly and explicitly Christ centred. All religions, values and ethics are viewed in the light of Christ, and not vice-versa.
Real Life Learning
Authentic Christian Learning engages students in practices and activities that address their lived reality,and form life-long, sustaining habits of mind and body.
Open-Handedness
Authentic Christian Learning honours the will and conscience of every young person, and their freedom of choice in responding to God.
our team
our national team
ROHAN WATERS
Executive Director
Accredited Minister
I was caught up with Veta Youth right at the very start when a group of youth leaders came together with a desire to see young people growing in the Christian life and shining the light of Jesus in their world. Looking back now, we all see this as a move of the Holy Spirit that we were privileged to be a part of. That was way back in 2002 and I simply haven’t been able to leave. I am just as excited about this mission as when it started and, unless God says something different, am here to stay.
My passion is to equip Christian people to nurture young people in the Christian life within the context of their own local community.
My hope for the future is that many more young people will know and experience the life transforming love of Jesus.
I’m blessed with a beautiful wife and three children and I love being with them, having friends around for meals and doing the normal day-to-day things. I keep in shape paddling my surf ski, taking our dog for a run and swimming at our local beach (when it’s not too cold!). My kids say I like boring books (theology and philosophy!) and having nana naps on a Sunday afternoon! I call them ‘power naps’.
BEN CHONG
Partnerships Team Leader
Partnerships Coordinator
Accredited Minister
PETER ECKERMANN
Partnerships Team Leader
Partnerships Coordinator
Accredited Minister
I consider it a privilege to share the journey of Christian growth with young people and their mentors. This has been a significant part of my life’s calling. My passion is to bring the Gospel of Jesus to the heart of a generation of young people and see young people be all they can be in Christ.
My hope for the future is to see more young people have access to a Veta Youth course so they can personally experience the transformation in life and faith associated with our courses.
Outside of Veta Youth I am an enthusiastic Limousin cattle breeder on our small farm at Korunye, just north of Adelaide. My family, wife Angie and our children, Jacob, Calum, Phoebe and Isaac are a source of inspiration and constantly lift me up.
BRIANNA WATSON
Partnerships Coordinator
With an extensive background in Vocational Education Training and trade teaching, I have long had a passion for young people.
I love nothing more than seeing young people skilled, equipped, built up and invested into. I consider it an honour and privilege to have been positioned to witness this for so much of my working life.
I felt the Lord calling me to theological studies and began serving as a leader in my local church’s youth ministry. I then stepped out of the TAFE environment and into vocational youth ministry in 2022.
It has been beautiful to see how God was able to take my calling of skilling and equipping young people in the trade industry and turn it into discipleship of young people for His Kingdom.
As a youth pastor, I was able to mentor and support my youth in their VETA studies and loved seeing their passion for digging deeper into their relationship with God, and their hunger for the scriptures grow as they studied.
In 2023 I graduated from Australian College of Ministry with a diploma of Christian Studies and am currently working towards my Bachelor of Theology.
In 2024 I joined the VETA team, using my background in training and assessing as a casual marker. During 2024 my husband and I discerned the call to relocate our family from Victoria to NSW for my husband to take on a senior pastor role at the Batemans Bay Baptist Church.
I really felt my position with VETA was the Lord’s provision in this season of transition out of youth ministry, as my role with VETA was online based and could follow me anywhere. He is so faithful.
In 2025 I accepted a position as one of the VETA Partnerships Coordinators.
Brianna Currently lives in Batemans Bay NSW with her husband and two daughters.
SARAH BERRY
Organisational Development Administrator
Organisational Development Team Leader
JESSICA HENDRIKS
Organisational Business Administrator
our board
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Support us with a donation
join our team
If your passion is to see young people growing in the Christian life and you’re interested in working with Veta Youth, let us know!
volunteer
If you’re a “vetaren” and want to give back, or simply catch the vision of what we are doing, we’d love to hear from you!
MATTHEW HARRIDGE
Chairman
Matt Harridge is the Chairman for Veta Youth.
Outside of this role, he has a 20 year background in engineering and is a Director of a successful traffic and transport engineering consultancy in Melbourne. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)(Hons), Bachelor of Science (Geology) and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Matt also sits on the board of Flinders Christian Community College in Victoria and has undertaken roles of Interim Chairman and Secretary.
Matt has significant experience in church and youth leadership and is passionate about seeing authentic Christian growth in young people across this country.
ROHAN WATERS
Executive Director
Rohan Waters is the Executive Director for Veta Youth. Rohan is an ordained minister and a registered teacher. He has worked in youth ministry for 20 years, including local church, chaplaincy and denominational youth director roles. Rohan has been developing VETA since 2003, and in 2010 was awarded the Farmington Fellowship to study at Oxford University, where he developed VETA’s model for supporting the spiritual development of students. His qualifications include Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology and Advanced Diploma of Ministry.
JEFFREY TAN
Director
Jeff currently runs three businesses. He started a financial planning practice in 2010, followed by a travel consultancy in 2012 and life coaching consultancy in 2016.
He is a certified trainer and life coach with the John C. Maxwell Team. He has taught several organisations and schools in Asia on leadership, financial literacy and life skills for youths.
Jeff is a board member of Adelaide Christian Schools and Adelaide City Care.