Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell, left, NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program participant Guyra Central School student Cordelia Lloyd and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
Monday, 7 September 2020
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell have today announced nine high school students from across the region have been selected to participate in a new program aimed at boosting the aspirations and leadership capabilities of young people in rural and regional schools.
Mr Marshall said the NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program would immerse the Year 11 students from Guyra, Inverell, Moree and Warialda in six months of leadership development, advocacy and learning.
“As these young people enter the final years of school this is a golden opportunity for them to build positive leadership skills which will take their peers and communities forward,” Mr Marshall said.
“Rural towns offer a range of fantastic opportunities for young people to exercise leadership and develop public speaking and citizenship skills like Lions Youth of the Year or Rotary Youth Exchange.
“This pilot program builds on those experiences by offering young leaders the chance to share ideas, engage with successful business and thought leaders, explore youth programs with key decision makers and most of all energise each other.
“Each of the Rural Youth Ambassadors will emerge with enhanced leadership skills and knowledge, plus stronger confidence in their future and a network of peers with whom they share interests and aspirations.
“I congratulate all nine students and wish them every success in the program.”
Ms Mitchell welcomed the initiative, which is a collaboration between the government, Aurora College and the Country Education Partnership.
“Through this pilot program these student leaders will become a voice for their schools, their communities and the areas where they live,” Ms Mitchell said.
“They will also have a greater engagement in shaping rural and regional education by contributing reflections, feedback and comments about their own schooling.”
The NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program will commence next term with the young leaders participating in online forums, discussions and working groups ahead of a planned three-day forum in Term 4.
Northern Tablelands NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program participants:
| Cordelia Lloyd | Guyra Central School |
| Lachlan Hampton | Inverell High School |
| Abigail Cheetham | Macintyre High School |
| Lily King | Macintyre High School |
| Jordan Briggs | Moree High School |
| Natalija Stanjoveic | Moree High School |
| Rachel Coulton | Warialda High School |
| Cassidy Hobday | Warialda High School |
| Jackie Woodward | Warialda High School |