Forward December 2014 | Page 20

Youth Parliament During the July school holidays, Lincoln Aspinall (11He) attended the Western Australian Youth Parliament, which is a program that places young people in the roles of Youth Members of Parliament, guiding them to work with peers and their communities to develop a piece of Youth Legislation. The Legislation that the students create is then debated by the Youth Parliament at the Western Australian Parliament House. The program provides a great personal development opportunity for young people who are interested in youth issues, politics, policy, debating and/ or advocacy. Lincoln first participated in the Youth Parliament when he was in Year 10 last year. He was encouraged to sign up for the program by his Politics and Law teacher, Mr Graham, because it would combine his interests in politics, law, debating and having a say on issues that are relevant to society. Lincoln chose to participate in the Youth Parliament again this year because he enjoys the negotiation, working in group situations, building on his public speaking skills and the opportunity to get better in the field and gain more experience. Each student who participates in the Youth Parliament is assigned to a specific committee which meets over a two month period to debate, create and pass a Bill. After attending a training day, introductions and voting for parliamentary positions, Lincoln was voted in as the Member for Bassendean and was a part of the Community Development committee. His committee worked on reducing drug use in the community and providing an environment for drug users where there is reduced stigma and resources available for rehabilitation, counselling and information. A wide range of topics were debated during the Youth Parliament and related to modern issues that face society today including: drug use, female equality in organisational pay rates and environmental pedestrian safety. Lincoln has found his participation in the Youth Parliament for the last two years a very beneficial experience and because the program is only available to students for two years, he is keen to take up a role as a volunteer task manager for the Youth Parliament next year. As well as participating in the Youth Parliament, Lincoln is actively involved in the United Nations Youth Programs as well as an upcoming British Parliamentary Debate Competition next month. All of this has deepened Lincoln’s interest in the subject of Politics and Law and has enriched his ambitions for studying politics, international processes and law at university when he finishes school. The Prefect Sleep-out Cold, hungry, pillow-less, only relying on the warmth of a sleeping bag and one another, the Prefects faced the many toils, snares, dangers and mysteries of the outside world, away from the comfort and safety of our own homes. On a Tuesday night after a day at school, the Prefects didn’t return home to the safety of their own homes. Rather we gave up the everyday luxuries we take for granted, such as a bed to sleep in with a roof over our heads, and we put ourselves in the shoes of the homeless, in order to raise awareness for those less fortunate than ourselves. The night was certainly interesting and we could see how it would be challenging for those experiencing this on a daily basis, facing the uncertainties of what the night or even the next day might hold. Although homelessness is often talked about as an issue in society, experiencing it first-hand gave us a whole new perspective and the Prefects hope that through our experience, we were able to raise awareness not only in the Guildford Grammar School community, but also the much wider community. 2014 Prefects 20 Jack Kalotas and Paul Harcus.