Rural and regional communities in Australia have faced significant challenges in recent years, especially during the pandemic, mirroring the struggles of many individuals who often feel marginalised or unheard.

We have a homelessness crisis in my region, one which is rarely seen under the shiny yet delicate surface of tourist weekenders, winery walkabouts and glossy shopfronts.

We have families recovering from floods, from loss of business and from loss of income due to the vagaries of weather and politics.

We have young people who feel they must shelter their gender identity under a cloud of shame and detachment, all the while trying desperately to appear nonchalant.

And we have a Referendum date looming as I write, in the hope that we can finally recognise those that have been silenced for too long. That there is finally a Voice for the First Peoples of Australia.

And so, in this context, how can diversity in leadership strengthen rural communities?

Whilst the statement “Strong communities, stronger futures” could be deconstructed to be one purely focusing on strengths and weaknesses, I believe it is underpinned by the very necessary and essential character strength of hope. Hope safeguards a community’s diversity and the many contributions individuals can make to create a world in which young people, all people, can strengthen rural communities.

As young leaders there is emphasis on encouraging each and every member of our community to live in a world of hope. A world in which we encourage progress rather than chasing perfection. A world in which we can aspire to be the best version of ourselves, even when things go wrong.

A world where difference, in itself, is our teacher.

For difference is one where we learn the most about ourselves and those around us. This is essential if we want regional towns to understand that diversity in our community is our strength. I would hope that my generation is equipped with empathy, ethical and moral reasoning, and above all an understanding that we always have a choice to embrace change, diversity and difference.

On October 14, this choice will be offered to us.

I have hope that all Australians decide to include those who remain unrecognised. I have hope that we can combat fear and ignorance with an educated and informed understanding of our Nation’s history. I have hope that we all know that even when we may break, we can yield, turn to others and feel supported by our community. For no matter our background, our language, our familial context, we are all trying to build strong connections so that together we can make a difference.

This only comes through listening. Talking. Paying attention to what is not heard. And who is not heard.

I know that diversity can often be diminished in smaller regional and rural communities; that standing out, or standing up, can take a heavy toll. In my role as a member of the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan and as a House Captain in charge of the Aspiring Leaders program, I aim to support young people to understand that their experiences are never static, change is constant and learning is ongoing. I endeavour to offer hope that we can all be initiators of change, no matter the current political, economic or social spheres of the community in which we live.

Everyone’s Voice is important.

As young leaders we need to advocate for a hope filled world, in which we remain curious, stay interested and accept difference. It is only when we work together that we will be able to strengthen rural communities.