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Sarah Jambia: Speech by Steve Minnikin

 Politics  No Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
Aug 032012
 

The following is a speech by Steve Minnikin. Queensland Parliament, 2nd August 2012.

I am pleased to rise to pay homage to a truly remarkable young woman with an inspirational story who is residing in the Chatsworth electorate. She is someone from whom all Australians can learn. I recently had the privilege of meeting Sarah Jambia, a resident of Carina and a refugee from the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Sarah, her mother and three siblings arrived in Australia in August 2009, leaving behind the turmoil and war of the nation’s capital, Freetown, one of the most violent cities on the planet. They left behind a life of fear, witnessing social atrocities like assault, rape and the hacking off of hands and feet. Tragically, Sarah also saw her father shot right in front of her eyes. I really cannot imagine what life must have been like for Sarah and her family living in this state of civil unrest and for the millions of Sierra Leoneans still there today. Continue reading »

Bella Vecchio – YMCA QLD Youth Parliament Representative for Bulimba

 Transport, Uncategorized  No Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,
Apr 122011
 

Note from the editor: The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is a Queensland Studies Authority accredited education program for young Queenslanders and 2011 YMCA QYP members will officially be sworn in on Saturday 16th April during the weekend-long Forum in Brisbane.  We’ve been asking the local representatives to tell you a bit about themselves via a guest post.

Guest post by Bella Vecchio

It’s my second year as a participant in the Queensland Youth Parliament – an amazing program giving voice to the youth members of society. Currently, I am in Year 12 at Somerville House and enjoy being occupied. I debate, play in both orchestra and band, sing in choir, waitress, take singing lessons, do a university subject at QUT and am house captain. I found that QYP was a way to improve socially and as a public speaker, being an invaluable opportunity to have a voice and a say in improving the future of our respective communities.

Continue reading »

Alison Dower – YMCA QLD Youth Parliament Representative for Greenslopes

 Uncategorized  No Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,
Mar 302011
 

Note from the editor: The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is a Queensland Studies Authority accredited education program for young Queenslanders. The members of the 2011 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament will officially be sworn in on Saturday 16th April during the weekend-long Forum in Brisbane.  We’ve been asking the local representatives to tell you a bit about themselves via a guest post here.

Guest Post by Alison Dower

Who am I?

My name is Alison Dower, I am 23 years old and I live in the Greenslopes Electorate in the awesome suburb of Coorparoo. I have been selected as the Youth Member for Greenslopes for the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament this year. In my role I hope to take the issues that affect young people and the community to the Youth Parliament and spend time discussing all the opportunities that we can think of to improve upon everyones experience of life in our community. The opportunity that I have been given in attending Queensland Youth Parliament is one that I am incredibly grateful for and will be utilising to its fullest capacity.

What do I do for fun?

I like being busy and packing as much into my week as I possibly can, presently I work full time as a Program Officer with Lifestream Foundation in East Brisbane supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. I am also learning AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) at TAFE and completing my Bachelor of Social Work at QUT. I am also currently volunteering with YANQ (Youth Affair Network of Queensland). In my spare time I do rockclimbing, boxing and fitness and I practice my fire twirling skills. Studying, reading and sleeping do fit in there somewhere too. Over the years I have volunteered with the State Emergency Service and Lifestream Foundation and participated in tennis, touch footy, swimming and indoor and outdoor rockclimbing and hiking. Continue reading »

Ashley Nielson – YMCA QLD Youth Parliament Representative for Mansfield

 Uncategorized  No Responses »  Tagged with: , , , ,
Mar 232011
 

Note from the editor: The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is a Queensland Studies Authority accredited education program for young Queenslanders. The members of the 2011 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament will officially be sworn in on Saturday 16th April during the weekend-long Forum in Brisbane.  Ashley Nielson has achieved the appointment of youth representative for Mansfield for the second year in a row. We invited him to tell us a bit about himself via a guest post here.

Guest post by Ashley Nielson

My name is Ashley and I’m currently a senior Year 12 student at Mansfield State High School. Within the school I have the responsibilities of being a Prefect as well as the position of President of the Rauchle Service Club, which is the school’s service club. I am also involved in the music program in the senior choir, the Environmental Council, a number of other committees and have been a school debater and debating coach. My main interests are music and politics. I enjoy writing songs about the way I view society and life. I am also politically involved in the community and in a political party. As well as that, I also have interests in aviation, scenery/nature and some sports including tennis, golf and snowboarding. Continue reading »

Natasha Wilson – YMCA QLD Youth Parliament Representative for Chatsworth

 Uncategorized  1 Response »  Tagged with: , , ,
Mar 162011
 

Note from the editor: The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is a Queensland Studies Authority accredited education program for young Queenslanders. The members of the 2011 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament will officially be sworn in on Saturday 16th April during the weekend-long Forum in Brisbane. Participants engage with community issues as Youth Representatives of Parliament. Carina Heights resident Natasha Wilson has achieved the appointment of youth representative for Chatsworth for 2011 and we invited her to introduce herself to the local community via a guest post here.

Guest post by Natasha Wilson

Throughout the years my interests have developed and matured, like any person, and currently politics is something that interests me and encourages me to take interest in this opportunity. I have enjoyed learning about many aspects of politics, public speaking, and working with others to understand their views and opinion. My Name is Natasha Wilson and I am just fourteen years old. Some of my interests include; dancing, academic work and remaining social. Continue reading »