Nelson Mandela Youth

Leadership Summit

A dozen of our GSSC students were privileged to join just sixty other secondary students across the state at the Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit. They met in the Legislative Assembly, Victorian Parliament, in Melbourne. The students heard speeches from:

• Ukrainian Ambassador, Vasil Myroshnychenko, (amazing speech!)
• US Consul General, Kathleen Lively, (inspirational talk on women and non binary people in leadership)
• Lara Olsen, former Global head of Business & Industrial Product for Tesla, current Managing Director for South East Water 
• Dr. Steve Rametse, President of Africa Day, Australia
• Daniel Bull, mountain climber, adventurer and motivational speaker,
• Amanda Wendt, Rotary President
• Victor Perton, CEO Centre for Optimism
   

Two of our students, Sophie Woolstencroft and Sione Atu, sat in the Speakers Chair to preside over a session each. Most of our students stepped up to the Premier's microphone to participate in discussions and they all did us proud. 

The final session of the day allowed students to give a two-minute talk on ‘What makes me optimistic’. Eight of our students spoke with passion, including Rowan Farren's thoughtful presentation on the importance of technology in Australia’s future. 

Well done to everyone involved and a special thanks to teacher Steph Rees and education trainee Georgie Waser.

Myf Saxton

House Leader 10-12