Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Colleagues, as you know, participation in politics is in the blood of my electorate of Indi. Next week, young people from right across north-east Victoria will come together for the annual Indi Youth Politics Camp, where young people will talk about what works, what doesn't work and how they can value-add to our community. Previous participants are Ashlee Fitzpatrick, who is now a councillor with the rural city of Wangaratta at 19 years old, and Jacqui Hawkins, who is standing for the state seat of Benambra in the next election—all power to them! The youth camp is sponsored by the Victorian government and youth coordinators from my local government areas of Alpine, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Strathbogie, Wangaratta and Wodonga. It is a terrific effort, youth workers.

Congratulations to all the organisers, to those attending and to local government, who make it possible. My call-out is to the young people of Indi: get involved, have your say, actively engage, be courageous, use your member of parliament and come to parliament to visit this place, but the most important thing, I think—and I hope you learn it on this camp—is to have the courage to stand up and be the change you want to see. There's no better time than now for leadership. There's no more important time for young people to stand up, have their say, get engaged in politics and help make our electorate of Indi the most wonderful place it can be.