Moorabbin, Mordialloc Chelsea 2019 school captains share hopes, dreams for future

They’re the next generation of leaders, but what do Melbourne’s school captains really have to offer the community? In one of our most ambitious projects ever, we’ve asked every Year 12 school captain: what difference can your generation make to the world?

They’re the next generation of leaders, but what do Melbourne’s school captains really have to offer the community?

In one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by Leader Community News, we asked every Year 12 school captain in Melbourne: What difference can your generation make to the world?

The words below are their own and the responses — like the students themselves — are insightful.

They show hope, optimism and a real desire to make a difference, undaunted by the challenges ahead.

And they all show a maturity well beyond their years. Our future is in very good hands.

MORE:

CRANBOURNE SCHOOL CAPTAINS

BAYSIDE, CAULFIELD AND PORT PHILLIP SCHOOL CAPTAINS

FRANKSTON AND MORNINGTON PENINSULA SCHOOL CAPTAINS

KILBREDA COLLEGE

Naomi Russo, 17

Naomi Russo.

As leaders of tomorrow, it is our duty to work towards a better future for ourselves and the generations after us.

At the 2018 ‘School Strike for Climate Change’ event, thousands of students across the country had the courage to stand up and voice their concern about the treatment of our environment.

We are aware of the environmental issues that are occurring and we know we have the right and the power to come together and influence positive decisions to ensure a long lasting and healthy planet.

Ella Allan, 17

Ella Allan.

Being a young Catholic woman in the Kilbreda College Community means to welcome all.

The acceptance of others in our diverse community allows the college to thrive and the students to feel proud and free to be who they are.

The hospitality our school shows can be extended to surrounding communities to build a more understanding and accepting society. If we, as a generation come together, we can change the way we treat the people around us, building an open and inclusive society.

MENTONE GIRLS’ GRAMMAR

Kayla Preller, 17

Kayla Preller.

I think it is less of a question of what difference ‘can’ we make, but rather what difference ‘will’ make.

When I think of my generation I think of change.

My generation has given me hope and taught me that being young does not have to make you inferior.

Young people all around the world are already making a meaningful impact.

They fight for equal rights and justice, while working in a way that inspires others.

The introduction of social media has led to our generation evolving and becoming educated at a speed like never before.

I have been fortunate enough to meet numerous girls my age, from all over Australia who are passionate for change.

To know that they are all doing their part in their communities gives me faith that the future is in good hands, as long as we all accept our responsibility in shaping the future.

So, I am beyond excited to see what further changes we are able to bring to the world in the years to come.

MENTONE GRAMMAR

Zachary Angus, 17 and Bronte Reark, 17

Zachary Angus.

Bronte Reark.

Our generation can make such a difference to the world if people take initiative to act in the best interest of everyone else.

With problems in today’s world such as racism and climate change, it is easy to just accept the norm and not stand up for what is right.

You may think to yourself, “What difference will one extra plastic bag/straw make to the environment?” and yes, you may not see any immediate noticeable difference.

However, it is on the larger scale when millions of people think a certain way that significant change can be made.

If large groups of people start to think that they can actually create positive change together, then we can quickly eradicate these types of issues.

Whether it is on a small or large scale, it is the initiative and leadership to actually voice your opinion and stand by your own convictions that can encourage others to do the same.

Over time, our society will become a safer, more accepting and sustainable place to live.

So, call out one your friends’ racist jokes or make an effort to take more public transport because it is the little things that can make a big difference. 

MORE:

MARIBYRNONG AND MOONEE VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS

MORELAND, NORTHCOTE, PRESTON AND HEIDELBERG SCHOOL CAPTAINS

HUME, SUNBURY AND MACEDON RANGES SCHOOL CAPTAINS

WHITTLESEA AND DIAMOND VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS

MORDIALLOC COLLEGE

Elizabeth Ng, 17

Elizabeth Ng.

My generation is very fortunate to be built on a foundation of genius.

Along the way through work and leisure we’ve lost aspects of care and consideration for the animals, the Earth and for each other.

My generation should perform small acts of kindness upon every area of life — despite a profit margin! Whether it be picking up a scrap of rubbish or giving support to not only a close friend, but anyone.

My generation is a very ‘emotive’ one, greed and selfishness are a large influencer in this. People are demanding more rights but many are willing to accept their responsibilities.

Levi Burns, 17

Levi Burns.

My generation — a generation filled with love, passion and kindness. There are endless possibilities of what we can achieve and bring to the world; ranging from technological advancements, sourcing environmental solutions to making scientific breakthroughs.

In the aim to make our world better, by improving living conditions and to extend life expectancy through finding cures for different disease.

I don’t need to have super powers to make a difference in the world. However, before any changes can be made, it all starts from within. Inside each and every one of our hearts with dreams, ambition and hope. Communicating, co-operating and contributing together with the world.

MORE:

MONASH SCHOOL CAPTAINS

PROGRESS AND STONNINGTON SCHOOL CAPTAINS

ST BEDE’S COLLEGE

Jonathan Clark, 17

Jonathan Clark.

As people and leaders in this 21st Century, we can make the biggest difference to the world we live in.

We have all the resources and tools at our fingertips, it’s just a matter of how we can best use these to our advantage.

Our generation can communicate with people near and far, allowing us to discuss and listen to a worldwide audience, where previously we have not been able to.

Now than ever before, we have the ability to be heard and speak freely about what we believe in – where previously we could not.

As an upcoming generation in this world we can be the ears to those who originally were not listened to, the vision to those who cannot see and the mouth to people who cannot speak.

Our generation can impact the world like not many could; using social media, scientific research and a spread of equity an fairness we are able to be the change.

Despite this change not being felt overnight or even to a mass group of individuals as we would like, it is ultimately about making a difference to this world one person, action and moment at a time.

MORE:

MANNINGHAM AND WHITEHORSE SCHOOL CAPTAINS

LILYDALE & YARRA VALLEY AND MAROONDAH SCHOOL CAPTAINS

GREATER DANDENONG AND KNOX SCHOOL CAPTAINS

ST JAMES COLLEGE

James Vakis, 17

James Vakis.

Modern youth have a very different lifestyle to other generations who have previously walked on earth.

Our generation is the first to be born into the era of advanced technology.

With the rapid growth of digitalisation, many jobs will soon be dependent on technology and machinery.

Our generation will be the most memorable when it comes to the creation and maintenance of technology that will be relied upon globally, drastically changing the fate of our economy.

Maceo Jones, 17

Maceo Jones.

My generation can change the world, by ensuring that there is a future for further generations to come.

There is no doubt that mankind have had a huge, negative impact on our environment, some of them being irreversible, therefore it is our generation’s responsibility to fix the mistakes our ancestors had unknowingly made. By studying our past mistakes, then learning from them, we can make use of our advanced technology to find, and utilise, more efficient processes to reduce our carbon footprint.

If we can do this, and make our world a more environmentally friendly place, ensuring a safe and solid foundation for the future generations to build on.

WESTALL SECONDARY COLLEGE

Angie Koeng, 17

Angie Koeng.

There are truly many ways that this generation can make a difference to the world; however, one of the most common things we care about is people having a place called home.

A survey conducted in 2005 stated there is an estimate of 100 million people who are homeless worldwide; this generation can do something generous such as saying a simple hi to them or offering them a small snack.

So many have a rough life, by showing a kind gesture, we can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.

Sally Maele, 17

Sally Maele.

Our generation are very fortunate to be able to have so much resources and reference from the past to use. This provides us the potential to help change many people’s lives, and through the advancement of technology, it can be used to provide important medical resources for research.

Technology can be a wonderful resource for the young generation to use as a reference to help discover new immunisation and medication and to cure diseases that stop people living the best life possible.