Student Youth Leadership Conference

On the 19th of March, our year 11 and 12 leadership team were privileged with the chance to attend the Youth Leadership Conference, held in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Here we taught an important set of skills to provide guidance and inspiration to us in our leadership journey.

The event started at 9:30 and finished at 2:30 but it didn’t feel long at all, with the many activities and collaborative tasks, while being able to interact with the accompanying schools in attendance, we were given the ability to roam around to talk and engage with students from all around Victoria – and were able to share ideas to implement in our school and in turn theirs.

Liam O’Connell and Bonnie Ryan-Rowe were the presenters of the event and did many fun and engaging activities that kept all the schools entertained, bringing students up on stage to be involved in the games and interviews. The audience were also asked questions which students were able to give personal and unique answers, for example ‘what does leadership mean to you’. With a booklet given to us at the start of the excursion we were able to take notes, however the event did not feel like we were listening to a lecture, but more like watching a performance. Liam and Bonnie made the event extremely exciting and didn’t leave anyone with a chance to be unentertained. 

One of the speakers at the event was the creator of the #1 all in one wellness app globally, HerHelp. Lexi McDonald shared her story of self-leadership and how she prevailed through her struggles to succeed in an environment were she was always underestimated, which led her to start her own app to help women going through the same trials she faced.

In conclusion this event hosted by YLAA was such an incredible experience. It was delivered in such an impactful manner which all students who hold leadership positions were sure to take many meaningful and practical lessons away.

We will continue to apply the strategies we have learnt through this event in our school environment and hope to continue growing and improving ourselves throughout our leadership journeys.

I had the privilege of attending YLAA’s Student Youth Leadership Conference. Through the ability to listen to multiple inspiring and engaging speakers throughout the day, we were able to have an insight into different leadership qualities and skills, which were structured to empower one’s innovative thinking and confidence in leadership and everyday life, showing that “real leadership is in the choices we make, often when nobody else is watching”. 

Furthermore, this was an excellent opportunity to converse with other student leaders from various schools, gaining an insight on other’s views on the topics spoken about and ideas on how to better one’s school. 

As a student leader, we wish to continue to incorporate the skills learnt into our meetings in desire of our collective goal of improving our school into the best version it can be.

Chloe Stankoski 10I