My name is Isabella Sullivan and as a proud indigenous teenager living in a small rural town, I face challenges every day but have always believed that it is better to be “part of the solution” not the problem. I would like to share with you 3 real life examples of how inspiring women in my community have helped me to achieve things that have led me to become a school, community and cultural leader in the Warwick district.

School- During my time at Assumption College I have been fortunate to be the recipient of several awards and attend some wonderful events associated with my work as an indigenous leader within the school these include a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Scholarship, attending the National Indigenous Business Summer School at Sydney University and being a member of the Southern Downs Youth Council. Behind each of these opportunities was an inspiring teacher and mentor named Mrs Wooding. She is a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication and as well as being a local indigenous advocate is a leader and friend to me. She has guided me on my educational journey and provided me with opportunities I could never have dreamed of. She has allowed me to “See what I can be” and continually inspires me to “Be the change”.

Community- I am currently an active member of my local Girl Guides and have been since I was 6 years old. This year I am working hard to achieve my ‘Queens Guide” award, which is the highest achievement a guide can obtain. It has been challenging but very rewarding. My guide leader Carly has been behind me all the way providing me with opportunities and assistance allowing me to become a junior leader under her guidance and inspiring me to take on additional responsibilities. She encouraged me to ‘Make a Change’ and achieve this rare honour. She is truly inspirational, somehow finding time between her family, work and other commitments to lead our junior and senior guide groups with kindness and compassion. When our group looked certain to fold last year she stood up and took on the demanding role. She too has allowed me to “See what I can be” and constantly inspires me to ‘ Be the change”.

Cultural- Earlier this year I was selected to attend an indigenous junior leader’s camp at the Bunya Mountains. While there, I met a person who took my breath away. She was an indigenous artist and educator named Kim Walmsley. Her passion, perspective and unique view of the world immediately changed my understanding of culture and how I should view my own history. She has since become a friend and someone I know I can turn to for guidance and advice. Buzz Lightyear once said, “Her grandma saw something in me, so I started looking for it too”.

This journey has led me to become the Qld Youth Parliament member for Southern Downs and as a member of the Indigenous Working group we are currently writing a bill designed to assist with the repatriation of indigenous culturally significant artifacts held at the Queensland Museum. There is no doubt that meeting this truly inspirational woman has allowed me to “See what I can be” and inspired me to” Be the change”.

With the help of these inspirational women, I am constantly striving to be what I can see. and I understand that sometimes to create change I need to be the change. “Change will not come if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek’. (Barack Obama).