Year 11 student Hannah is making her mark as a young leader, recently attending an exclusive dinner at Government House in honour of outgoing South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly.

The dinner celebrated the conclusion of Ms Connolly’s eight-year term, and Hannah was one of only 12 students selected to attend, chosen from a pool of more than 64,000 young people across the state. The selection recognised her outstanding leadership, advocacy and involvement with the South Australian Student Representative Council (SASRC), which brings together 150 students in Years 10 to 12 to research issues affecting young people and present their findings to school leaders and government.

“My parents and I were freaking out when we found out,” Hannah said. “Not every 15-year-old gets to go to Government House.”

Over the past year, Hannah has worked closely with Commissioner Connolly, including contributing to meetings with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. Among the outcomes of that work was the decision to return Adelaide’s train services to government operation after three and a half years under private control.

Hannah’s advocacy journey has also included pushing for free public transport fares for students, a topic she discussed directly with the Premier. In addition to her role with the SASRC, she is an active member of the UN Youth Ambassadors, where she continues to build her understanding of politics, leadership and problem-solving. See below a panel that Hannah was invited to speak on last year.

While she has developed a strong interest in politics and community issues, Hannah plans to pursue a career in neurosurgery and hopes to continue making a difference in the lives of others throughout her career.

Ciara Ames
Occhiena House Director – Teaching and Learning