QAHS is proud to congratulate two of our Year 11 students who served as 2023 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Members. Lily Cronly, representing the electorate of Burleigh, and Genevieve Chakuthip, representing the electorate of Theodore, have been working throughout the year to address the issues of young people in their electorate, while learning more about legislature and government processes through a mock parliament context. The culmination of their work in Youth Parliament was Residential Sitting Week, which took place over a week in September. There, they debated the Bills they'd been working on for the past six months preparing, addressed state and national matters of public importance and spoke on issues important to them. Our heartfelt congratulations to Lily and Genevieve for their outstanding dedication. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us of the importance of active civic engagement and the impact that young leaders can make in shaping a better future. A few words from Lily and Genevieve.
Lily Cronly
A few weeks ago, Genevieve and I participated in the Queensland Youth Parliament's Residential sitting week, where we stayed in Brisbane for a week and travelled to Parliament each day. Residential sitting week is the culmination of all our work in Youth Parliament: debating our bills, hilarious Government versus Opposition disputes, private member statements about a topic personal to each Youth Member. Of course, there were fun activities such as the QYP Disco, costume competitions, and portfolio games. This year I had the privilege to be a part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships portfolio, where we created a bill on truth-telling and cultural appreciation in state schools. Seeing this bill come to life and having everyone so passionately debate it in the chamber was one of the highlights of this year, and needless to say there were a lot of tears shed. Everyone in QYP, and more closely my portfolio, have become some of my closest friends, if not a family. I cannot begin to describe how this program changed my life and how grateful I am to have been able to participate. I encourage any current Year 10 students to sign up for the incredible opportunity of being a Queensland Youth Parliament member next year!
Genevieve Chakuthip
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament as a Youth Member this year. Through this program, I gained so much knowledge, met so many passionate and inspiring people, and was able to have a voice to speak on the issues I am passionate about. Throughout the year, I worked with other Youth Members who were also in the Science, Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Digital Economy Portfolio where we attended various consults and meetings together while writing a Youth Bill on the regulation of surveillance devices. We then debated our Youth Bill in Parliament House. Through this experience, I not only made new friends but also learnt a lot more about parliamentary processes, which is such a unique and amazing opportunity that I am very thankful for.
Marnie Chetter
Teacher of English & Student Leadership Coordinator