Age: 15
Grade: Year 10
Home Community/Town: Toowoomba
Why did you enter Country to Canberra's Leadership Competition?
I entered Country to Canberra’s leadership competition, so that I would be able to learn about leadership and how it can be transferred to real world situations. So that in using these skills and my experiences as a teenage girl living in rural Australia, I would hopefully be able to create a long-lasting positive change in the lives of rural women. When entering the competition, I also wanted the chance to meet the incredible women who are family names in my home, like Senator Susan McDonald, who I so admire.
What do you hope to get out of C2C on Screen?
From the experience of C2C on Screen I hope to be able to learn about politics and the way that changes have been made to improve the lives of those living in rural areas. As well as to learn how to personally make even a small positive impact on rural communities.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is Mala Yusufzai, because in a place where she faced so much adversity, she still managed to find the courage to make a difference and create worldwide awareness for the situation of girls living in Afghanistan at the time. Her life story is so incredible and from the hardships she has faced, she inspires all young girls to find the qualities that she embodies, within themselves.
What’s your favourite thing about living in rural Australia?
My favourite thing about living in rural Australia is the sense of community, and the diverse people that make up these communities (as well as the sunsets). For me this means that I feel that my home is so unique, and that I know that I could not find it to be the same anywhere else.
What’s your main goal or ambition (right now, or in the future)?
My main goal is to get through high school, and hopefully after, to study international relations at ANU. From this I hope to be able to meet incredible and diverse people around the world/ in Australia, so that I have the chance to be a part of positive change across the world. Whether this is in humanitarian affairs or in solving the climate crisis etc.
Tell us a couple of things you do to relax or have fun?
Usually, to relax or have fun I spend time with my friends, and play sport, like netball or futsal. I also love to travel and see new places as well as be in musicals, school or otherwise.
What are your social media handles?
Instagram: lil_oconnor06