Bio: Elise Toyer, NSW Winner 2016

elise-mg_1586Elise is one of our 2016 Leadership Competition Winners. You can check out her winning entry here and her bio below.

  1. Describe yourself in 100 words or less!

Hi, my name is Elise Toyer and I’m from the south coast of NSW. I love the outdoors, especially camping and hiking, I also like cooking for my friends and family. Don’t ask me to choose my favourite food though, but I will tell you my favourite animal – it’s the Brazilian tapir! I’m bright, energetic and a little bit cheeky, because after all you have to push the boundaries sometimes!

  1. How old are you, what grade are you in and what community/town do you live in? (100 words max) I am 16 years old and I’m in Year 10 at St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee. I live in the seaside town of Batemans Bay where I was born.
  1. Who is your role model and why? 

My role model is my Tia, my father’s mother. She is a (very!) strong and independent woman and someone who cares for our family very much. When I was younger Tia would often tell me stories of our family and of her time as a nurse. I always thought what I wanted to become was a doctor my Tia would respect, but now I realise I want to become a woman, like my Tia, who was respected.

  1. What’s your favourite thing about living in rural Australia? 

It’s tricky to pick my favourite thing about living in rural Australia however I would have to say it’s the community atmosphere. I have the ability to walk down the street and wave and smile at familiar faces.

  1. What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk when it comes to helping someone out, whether this is on a local, national or international scale. I’m particularly passionate about achieving equality of healthcare within Australia, especially in rural and remote areas where services and supplies are limited.

  1. What’s your favourite quote?

I’m not someone who usually has a favourite quote or saying, however I do like Beyonce’s ‘I’m not bossy . . . I’m the boss.’

  1. Why did you enter Country to Canberra’s Leadership Competition? 

I entered the Country to Canberra’s leadership competition because I saw the opportunities it gives to the young women who are fortunate enough to attend. It gives us the opportunity to make our voices heard and that’s why I entered.

  1. What do you hope to get out of the Power Trip to Canberra? 

I hope to listen and learn from the other girls and hear their stories and perspectives on important issues. I also hope to engage in discussion with and learn from the leaders who are at the forefront of change in our country.

  1. What’s your main goal/ambition right now? 

My ambition for life is to become a rural and regional paediatric specialist, but to do that I first have to finish high school, so I guess that’s my main goal right now.

  1. Tell us a couple of things you to relax/have fun?

Food is usually involved when I get together with my friends and relax! During the summer months hanging out at the beach is our favourite thing to do, whilst in the cold winter we huddle together and have horror movie marathons.