Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whatever your political views, there's no denying one fact: young people are the future. In my electorate of Bonner, we have over 40 schools, each dedicated to nurturing the many bright minds that call Bonner home. This year, I had the privilege of hosting over 20 students from across the electorate as part of my Bonner Youth Advisory Council, or BYAC for short. Each member has excelled in their schooling and extracurricular activities, and I applaud their commitment to our local community. One of these outstanding students is Araminta from Rochedale State High School, a driven young lady who cares deeply about our community. I was proud to recently present her speech on youth mental health as part of the Raise Our Voice Australia initiative. BYAC is a vital forum for me to engage with Bonner youth on the issues that matter most to them. Since I was first elected in 2004, it has been a platform for open, frank and meaningful conversations. I'm grateful to all the students who dedicated their time over the school holidays and weekends to participate in BYAC this year. These meetings have been invaluable in staying connected with students and in understanding the issues shaping our future leaders. I look forward to continued success in BYAC throughout 2025.