Youth Parliament

Youth Parliament Report

Congratulations to the following senior students who recently competed in the 2018 Youth Parliament Program: Jeremy Mann, Julian Taylor, Remi Saab, Dillon Bulman, Matthew Watson and Aaron Arthur.

 

This group has collaborated over the past seven months to identify possible subjects for a draft Bill to be researched, politically framed and submitted for initial consideration of the governing body of the program, the YMCA. Upon receipt of one of the twenty state wide places in the program, the real work began: to scrutinise, to refine, to test and to perfect the Bill, for its eventual presentation in the Legislative Assembly at the Victorian State Parliament chambers. The group was privileged throughout the process to have the audience of some prominent political figures including the Shadow Minister for Education, Mr. Tim Smith MP, Mr Murray Thompson MP, local Liberal Party member for Sandringham, and ex-collegian and local Liberal Party candidate, Mr Brad Rowswell. The group also visited personnel from both VCAA and the Department of Education, who assisted them to closely review their proceedings and write the finer points.

 

The Life Skills Education Development Bill was presented in a mock Parliament Assembly on July 5th 2018 and was passed, despite valiant opposition from a rival team representing Ivanhoe Girls Grammar – an outstanding success from the commitment and talent of this group. Congratulations to Rami Saab who was awarded the “Dave Davis Award” for upholding values of the YMCA.

The St Bede’s student group was privileged to partake in this selective program aimed at aspiring lawyers and politicians. Our sincere gratitude is extended to our generous sponsor, Mr. Peter Walsh, without whom, this experience would not have been possible.

 

Ms Kaylene Menara

Debating Coordinator