NT teens Sophie Bedggood and Shanaya McAdam-Bray named Country to Canberra winners
Rural Darwin and Alice Springs teenagers Sophie Bedggood and Shanaya McAdam-Bray are winners of this year’s Country to Canberra Leadership Competition. Read what made the
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Rural Darwin teenager Sophie Bedggood and Shanaya McAdam-Bray of Alice Springs are among fifteen young rural winners from across Australia selected to participate in a national leadership summit in Canberra this week.
The girls touched down in Canberra on Saturday for Country to Canberra’s 5-day Power Trip where they will participate in public speaking training with TEDx Canberra, meetings with politicians and media interviews.
Sophie, 17, was recognised for her passion in uplifting young people from remote and rural communities through her role as a 2023 NT youth ambassador and said she looked forward to meeting like minded people.
“I entered this competition mainly so that I am able to gain new relationships with like minded individuals who are able to push me to be a more independent, hard working leader within my home community,” she said.
“I want to be able to make those connections and tell my story about my life in the NT and how I’d like to make a positive impact in both my inner and wider community.”
In her winning entry, Shanaya, also 17, advocated for diversity and empowering future generations to create positive change.
“I think that by being people from all walks of life, we are able to share our life and stories that we have experienced as young women to help empower each other,” she said.
“I hope I’m able to meet other amazing women from around the country to share stories and experiences to help uplift and empower each other, as well as making new relationships.”
Country to Canberra is a nationwide not-for-profit program supporting young rural women to build leadership skills, encourage self-belief and connect with role models and mentors to overcome gender and geographical barriers to success.
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Originally published as NT teens Sophie Bedggood and Shanaya McAdam-Bray named Country to Canberra winners
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