High school students from across the west rubbed shoulders with some of the country’s big decision-makers at a convention canvassing national issues.
About 70 students from MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Werribee Secondary College, Emmanuel College, the Islamic College of Melbourne and Sunbury Downs Secondary College descended on MacKillop’s Werribee campus for the day-long constitutional convention.
Victorian senator Janet Rice, Lalor MP Joanne Ryan, Werribee MP Tim Pallas and Sherry Balcome of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry gave their views on injustice towards the Indigenous people of Australia, both historically and currently.
Year 10 MacKillop student Natasha Paranema said the keynote speakers took part in a panel discussion on the issue, before the students broke off into smaller groups to discuss their thoughts on the topic.
“It was great to hear the views of other people rather than the people you surround yourself with every day,” she said.
“It was great to get new ideas and new insights on topics that really affect us as Australian citizens.”
