Year 10 Student, Henley High School, SA

The Every Voice Counts! Student Forum in Canberra was an event that I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend. There were four representatives from every State and Territory in Australia, a total of 32 students from around the nation.

During my three-day stay in Canberra, I experienced many things, some of which I never would had had the opportunity to experience otherwise. In Parliament House we met the Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Education, Science, and Training, witnessed Question Time in the House of Representatives and had the opportunity to give our views on young people’s participation in democracy. Our local MP, Mr Steve Georgeanis, took time out of his busy schedule to come and speak to me as well as present my participation certificate. Guest speakers at Old Parliament House included Mr Simon Moss, Director of the Oaktree Foundation and Ms Samantha Maiden, a journalist from The Australian. We also visited the Australian War Memorial and the National Museum of Australia.

I learnt so much while participating in this forum. Having little previous knowledge of the workings of Parliament, my eyes were opened to just what really goes on, and I also learnt some history and facts about our current Parliament House. The speakers were an example of how, if you follow your heart and chase what you are passionate about, you can spend the rest of your life doing what you love! My stay in Canberra clearly illustrated to me that every person in Australia has a voice, regardless of demographics, and all you have to do to be heard is stand up and speak out.