2018 Power Trip Reflection – Ameliija Swaffer-Selff

Post by the excellent Ameliija Swaffer-Selff, one of our 2018 Leadership Competition winners.

The Power Trip was a truly amazing experience that I will never forget. It was a week full of inspiring workshops, motivational speakers and networking opportunities, interacting with just some of the many powerful women who play a vital role in our journey towards gender equality in Australia. The highlight of my trip would have to be the day we spent in the halls of Parliament House. Being able to talk directly to politicians was a unique experience, and provided me with a new perspective of the world of politics. Meeting the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was also an incredible experience.

My trip to Canberra ultimately showed me that there are multitudes of powerful women in Australia who want to create change, and it allowed me to develop my networking skills by placing me in uncomfortable situations where talking to new people was my only option. The entire Power Trip was filled with snippets of advice, and I was simply amazed by the multitudes of people (not just women) who insisted upon empowering young women, and the help that they offered. I look forward to using the skills, knowledge and networks I developed whilst on the Power Trip as I move forward in life and I am very grateful for the Power Trip and all the amazing opportunities provided to me by Country to Canberra as part of my prize.