Youth Press Gallery

Since the extensive lockdowns we faced throughout 2020 and 2021, I started to feel less confident in who I am, often tripping myself up on minor incidences. I knew I had always wanted to become a journalist, but I doubted myself. Could I ever do it? When my Year 10 International Studies teacher recommended the 2022 Youth Press Gallery, I had a wave of different emotions, which these emotions greatly intensified when I was accepted into the course. Don't get me wrong, I was incredibly grateful and thrilled I could participate in such an opportunity but regularly would feel hesitant about pursuing such a big event. We started our first few online workshops in late April, discussing the course and what our job would be as Youth Journalist. Once I had finished my second term of year ten, and my exams were over, my week away began.

While my friends enjoyed their long-awaited sleep-ins, we were all up at five in the morning on our way to parliament house. The Youth Parliamentarians were debating on overall 20 bills, 10 in the Legislative Assembly and another 10 in the Legislative Council. Young adults from across the state came together to debate on bills they are passionate about, bills relating to subjects such as the climate, homelessness and law reform. As journalists, we either chose to write an article on one of even two bills or a video report. Of course, I went with a video report. I started interviewing Buloke-Loddon Youth Advisory Council members, a group who were passing a bill on Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality in Mining. I enjoyed watching the debates, often wanting to join in and yell "here, here" to the government. As the youngest person to attend Youth Parliament, I was intimidated by the Youth Parliamentarians, but soon, I became friends with them all. Many people in the course were in university, journalists or future politicians in their last year of school. Others, though, were a lot like me, in senior schools across Victoria, from Hamilton to Hawthorn, with a passion for change.

At the retreat, there was never a dull moment talking to the parliamentarians, as they were all nervous for their debates and found that talking about everything and anything was the best coping method. Our days at camp were split up into 30-minute/1-hour sessions, either fun activities, working on our reports/debates or - my personal favourite - debriefing. We had an awards ceremony, where one member from the Youth Parliament and one member of the Youth Press Gallery were peer-voted in recognition of their contributions to the Parliament. A terrific Parliamentarian was awarded, and I was also. As the youngest journalist, it felt pretty great. Unfortunately, the last day of our retreat had come, and everyone was in tears. I was talking to one of my friends, Ravin Desai, "I wish I could stay here with all of you. You made this place feel less like a retreat but a home." We all felt the same way. Despite the late nights and painfully early wake-ups, for all of us, it felt like the life we were aiming for in the future, and we didn't want to leave. 

While writing this article, I'm waiting for the ABC to get back to me, as they are considering publishing my report. In the meantime, if you want to see it, I'll attach a link to the video.

Charlie Todd

Year 10