Vesna Clark was one of the winners of Country to Canberra’s 2014 essay competition. For her amazing efforts, she had her work published and scored a ‘Power Trip’ to Canberra, where she met powerful female leaders, toured parliament and was interviewed for TV and radio. We asked Vesna to look back on some of her favourite and most inspiring moments…
C2C: Hi! What motivated you to enter the 2014 competition?
Vesna: I was told about the competition via a teacher at school who knew about my passion in women’s issues/feminism and thought it would be a great fit! A lot of ideas about gender equality sprung to mind when I saw the essay question and I really wanted to communicate them, so I began writing. The biggest motivator for me was that I hadn’t been given the chance to openly talk about my ideas and opinions and thought that what Country to Canberra was offering was brilliant and I really wanted to become a part of it.
C2C: How did it feel being told you were an inaugural winner?
Vesna: I was absolutely ecstatic! I had never won or become a part of something so big before and it felt wonderful. I remember telling parents and friends with a big smile on my face and couldn’t wait for the Power Trip to come!
I was absolutely ecstatic! I had never won or become a part of something so big before…
C2C: What was your favourite part about the ‘Power Trip’ to Canberra?
Vesna: It has to be a tie between meeting the other winners, Hannah and Libby and the Powerful Womens breakfast that was held. We were able to discuss women’s issues, particularly education and hear the stories of many women such as Katy Gallagher, Gai Brodtmann, Rebecca Skinner, Frances Crimmins and Stephanie Foster who were all very inspiring.
C2C: What was the best piece of advice/lesson you learnt?
Vesna: The main message I took away with me from the Power Trip was to take risks, no matter what people say or if you doubt yourself, just do it. Almost always, you will surprise yourself.
The whole experience, including actually writing the essay, being published, and the Power Trip, was life changing.
C2C: What are you up to now/what are your plans?Vesna: I have just finished my HSC trial exams and have just over two months left of Year 12 so at the moment its study, study, study. My plans include applying for Uni and hopefully getting into my desired degree of Social Science with a major in Gender Studies (surprise surprise) and also taking a much needed relaxation period after HSC exams.
C2C: What would you say to girls who are thinking about entering the 2015 comp?
Vesna: The whole experience, including actually writing the essay, being published and the Power Trip was life changing. I became more confident in my writing and opinions, sharing them with others and being published on Country to Canberra was even more of a confident boost! I have learnt to not hold back and that writing is one of the most powerful ways to express your ideas. It is so crucial for young rural women to have a voice concerning gender inequality and your ideas and thoughts are invaluable, so get writing and keep smashing the patriarchy!