Whittlesea, Diamond Valley 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?
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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:
PROGRESS AND STONNINGTON SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MORELAND, NORTHCOTE, PRESTON AND HEIDELBERG SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MARIBYRNONG AND MOONEE VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS
HUME, SUNBURY AND MACEDON RANGES SCHOOL CAPTAINS
AL SIRAAT COLLEGE
Hafsa Sarwar, 17
The change I would like to bring belongs to worldwide level. This generation should endeavour to help third-world countries with their social, security and environmental problems.
The specific changes that I would like our generation to make are to end poverty. This should be started by us, at a local level with fundraisers and gaining support from community. This can slowly be taken to state level where mass amount of people supports the cause.
We need to come together to end these issues and help people of world.
Abu Bakr Ayoubi, 17
My generation can change the world by using the knowledge that we currently have. We can learn from the mistakes of the past to work towards a better future.
If we pay no heed to the insignificant problems and ‘issues’, we can truly thrive and the world would be better for it. The torch has been handed to us; it is our turn to lead, learn and guide. For the way is lit and the path is clear.
We require only the strength to follow it.
BUNDOORA SECONDARY COLLEGE
Courtney Joyce, 17 and Ishrat Zaman, 17
We believe that a sense of belonging and community is at the core of a thriving society, and because of this, we wish to foster a sense of acceptance and rapport.
A community that is accepting is the first step to inspiring positive change.
Creating a community in which your voice is heard is fundamental to feeling safe and accepted at school and in wider society, and further encouraging this is our goal for 2019.
We aim to inspire a confidence in student voice, and as young people in today's society we believe that this is essential, as promoting voice is the first step in creating a generation of proactive individuals.
Motivating young people to be confident in themselves and to push past traditional standards and expectations encourages individuality and unique voices. Through doing this, our generation will be motivated, inclusive, inspired to make positive change and to have their voice heard, and will challenge the norm.
We aim to develop and inspire this sense of community on a local scale this year as school captains, but on a greater scale, this will be how our generation changes the world.
CATHOLIC LADIES’ COLLEGE
Niamh Pilatti, 17
Our generation has the willingness to take matters into our own hands, to vocalise our thoughts and be heard.
Through standing up for and acting on what we believe, we can make a difference.
We all seek knowledge of the world, enabling us to provoke ideas of ways to better the world.
We are all unique, and by using our individuality we can make differences across various aspects in the world. We can come together to make the world more inclusive, sustainable and a place of opportunities. Every little thing we do to better the lives of others and the world around us, makes all the difference.
Victoria Wingjan, 17
I believe that many people from older generations underestimate us as a collective. But when we do care for something we do take a stand. We have fight, and we do have access to vast amounts of knowledge that many in generations before us did not possess.
And most importantly our voices can be heard more than ever with the platforms we hold. We have become global, we do care about those in our own community as well as those who are across the seas. And we want a kinder, more compassionate, more interconnected future.
Like generations before us we band together to try and implement change, to produce a better society for all.
DIAMOND VALLEY COLLEGE
Olivia Stewart, 17
In our media-generated world we, as the youth, play a vital role in the development of our future societies.
We are our country’s prospects; the ones who must play the parts of inspiring leaders, teachers, and innovators.
Growing up alongside a technological whirlwind, we have learnt to become adaptive of our circumstances.
Through this ability to adapt, we are able to face adversity and difference head-on, tackling challenges that would have only diminished us in the past.
With the knowledge, strength and opportunities available to us literally at our fingertips on platforms like social media, we have the power to unite and make an impact, have our voices heard around the world, and create beneficial change.
Our capabilities of rapid adaption separate us from other generations, and yet our understanding of those who have taught us what we know provides us with what we need to make a difference and take those steps towards a better and more sustainable world.
Making a difference in the world is not about pushing away others, but instead about the empowerment of others.
As long as we can maintain that view, we have success written in our future.
MORE:
MANNINGHAM AND WHITEHORSE SCHOOL CAPTAINS
LILYDALE & YARRA VALLEY AND MAROONDAH SCHOOL CAPTAINS
GREATER DANDENONG AND KNOX SCHOOL CAPTAINS
ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL
Lily Whiteman, 17
Stephen Hawkings said, “Our earth is becoming too small for us”, we are harbouring a four planet lifestyle.
This must change. We have lived only knowing a planet that is constantly being ruined by older generations. And as a result, our generation will fight for the life of our once healthy planet.
Through putting our words into actions, and seeking out ways to make our lifestyle more sustainable. For example, more than 15,000 students flocked to the streets to protest against the Adani Coal Mine, and another climate change march is being organised around the country. Making our mark on the world and protesting for change.
Zac Broeren, 17
The answer to this lies in what difference needs to be made to the world? Our generation will undoubtedly have to deal with the problems of exponential consumption of damaging finite resources and its ramifications on Earth’s environment (and very quickly), but the source issue which needs fixing is our interpretation of power and leadership.
Our generation can do this; reform the system and eradicate exploitation based on the idea that leadership is a game to be won, a competition amongst foes. We can establish the art of leadership as being one of mutual success, efficiency and, above all, rationality.
GREENSBOROUGH COLLEGE
Gabrielle Newton, 17 and Angus Webb, 17
The world has seen innovations all over in recent years. With these advances in various fields, the world has gotten smaller and more intricately connected.
This is a massive advantage for a people who are compassionate and accepting, as our generation is showing itself to be.
The global shift toward equality in all forms, often at times led by the young and the youthful, is a testament to that.
Our drive to see every person as equals will be a massive change for us to implement to its full effect going forward, and that is just the beginning.
Not only are we in a time of growing acceptance and an ever increasing sense of a global community, we’re also living as the most technologically savvy generation, one who grew up with speedy internet and information at our fingertips.
We can know everything that ever takes our interest in seconds and that makes us one of the most informed and educated generations to date.
How could we not grow up to be some of the most influential people in history as we take our places in what is becoming the most knowledgeable, intelligent and interwoven age in history?
MARYMEDE CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Daniel Preziuso, 17 and Marian Fernando, 17
Past generations have done their part, and now it is our turn to make the world our legacy because we are the future. We have the capacity to use the lessons learned from our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and all those we come across, to help influence our decisions.
No matter what changes and enhancements we make, it all starts with being able to share, spread positivity and build community. It starts with small acts of kindness because it is about leading with action.
Education has helped us understand the different situations people across the world are facing, allowing us to focus on spending time helping other communities and countries financially, environmentally, politically or socially.
We have the duty to love, respect and be stewards of the environment, we must be an example to those who come after us for the right reasons.
We can only move forward with the knowledge and technological advancements that have come about. There are endless possibilities to make this place great and we are just the beginning.
MILL PARK SECONDARY COLLEGE
Jovana Dixon, 17
It is clear that my generation is in a way, obsessed with technology. The increased use of technology means this generation often speaks through a medium rather than directly to a person, which can lead to a lack of understanding as to where the other is coming from.
In order to see the importance of respecting others, the moral imperative of our time is to ensure that we treat each other with respect and that we don’t allow ourselves to be desensitised by the increased use of technology.
I believe my generation can use technology not to separate and isolate ourselves but as a way of connectedness and opportunity.
Jack Thorne, 17
For many years, communities around the world have taken advantage of the environment to ultimately improve our everyday life and wellbeing.
Thankfully, we have recognised the importance of our valuable resources and have also identified the unnatural impact we have made.
I truly believe my generation will listen and understand the consequences faced if we continue the same.
Once everyone is educated about these issues, we will invest time and money into solutions developed through world wide discussions. These solutions will be reinforced, ultimately minimising the damage created and prevent the severe repercussions from becoming a reality.
MORE:
MOORABBIN AND MORDIALLOC CHELSEA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
BAYSIDE, CAULFIELD AND PORT PHILLIP SCHOOL CAPTAINS
FRANKSTON AND MORNINGTON PENINSULA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
PLENTY VALLEY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Euan Olivier, 18 and Haley Shepherd, 17
In 10 years’ time we hope to see our generation in greater positions of power, using this to serve the oppressed and needy.
We want to see the Earth maintained and healthy for future generations, through people taking action and being more sustainable.
We would also like to live in a world where people have full freedom of speech, regardless of their beliefs, gender or race. We aim to create a society that encourages love and acceptance of individuals from all backgrounds.
As a society we want to value relationships and connections over the ever growing need for technology.
In 10 years’ time, we would like to see people taking action on real issues and to have world views which consider those less fortunate and work to make our world our better place.
We want to create a society that finds relevance for God, and one that puts more focus on family and passing on a positive and healthy legacy.
We want to see youth participating in their communities and for society to encourage unity.
ST MONICA’S COLLEGE
Simon Todorovski, 17
For me, my aspirations for the future have changed on numerous occasions. My want to be a professional basketball player, to the desire to be an elite ethical hacker for businesses, to now aspiring to become an aerospace engineer, all come from my love of sport, mathematics, physics, and coding.
I wish to in any way, shape of form, make my way to becoming an aerospace engineer for NASA over in the USA and perhaps lead or assist the future missions we embark on, as events such as the colonisation of Mars start to be in the thoughts of humanity.
Mandy Petros, 17
My vision for the future is consistent of many visions. My ultimate aspiration is to be the Prime Minister of Australia by 2030.
Alternatively, I would like to end up somewhere in Australian parliament in the long term, by possibly being a senior minister of the cabinet, or becoming a representative of my electorate.
My interests include law, politics, and public speaking. I hope to study either Political Law or secondary teaching.
I wish to also greater enhance my commitment to charitable work within the community and beyond, by creating my own charity to help support asylum seekers and refugees.
WHITTLESEA SECONDARY COLLEGE
Mitchell Allen, 17
This generation is one more accepting than others, and I believe that shows first in our leaders. This generation of leaders is able to cater to all people and all needs; years of research and acceptance has lead to this ability.
Along with this, our generation is much more knowledgeable on common issues the public is concerned with, creating a more cohesive net to deal with issues between people and their leaders.
I feel this generation will be one of change, acceptance and difference, catering to all people, and issues.
Kasey Hall, 18
Our generation is like no other before. From the intelligence growth to the physical abilities of individuals, our generation strives to achieve the incomprehensible.
With visions of less discrimination, less segregation, less poverty and less war, along with an improvement of access to facilities such as education and health care, our generation will enable people to come together with peace and equality to construct a world where everyone can live to their full potentials.
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