Building leadership skills through community contribution
Read An’s inspiring story about being a young community leader
In 2018, An and her family, originally from Vietnam, moved to Hobart, Tasmania, where An started Year 4 at Lenah Valley Primary School. Over the last four years, An has flourished in her new home, embracing the community and making an incredible contribution through her involvement in many clubs, groups and committees.
Now a Year 8 student at Hobart City High School-Ogilvie Campus, An is following her passions for science, art and helping people.
When An first arrived in Tasmania, the experience of starting in a new place felt a little daunting, however, An challenged herself to step outside of her comfort zone and get involved in her community, finding the process both rewarding and exhilarating.
A naturally inquisitive person, An loves learning about other cultures just as she shares hers in return. “Nothing is better than sharing the traditions I love with friends in my new home.”
Remaining connected to her Vietnamese culture is extremely important to An, who stays in touch with family and friends overseas and has joined a local Vietnamese community group.
A supportive learning environment
An is thriving at Hobart City High School – an environment where students are supported to reach their full potential through personalised learning, mentorships and a variety of student support services.
“Teachers give us a fully supported pathway to help us reach our fullest potential in classes. After all the thrilling opportunities this state has given me, I have found true belonging here in Tasmania, where everyone is accepted despite our differences.”
An’s favourite subjects are science and visual arts. Science helps An to understand the world around her and she has a deep appreciation for the scientific research and experiments that have informed the learning that she does today.
“Science can enable me to develop different skills such as creative and analytical thinking skills to broaden my perspectives.”
Visual art, says An, provides her with a valuable opportunity for self-exploration and self-expression.
Amplifying the voices of young people
An is proud of her multicultural background and she believes this is part of the reason why she is able to offer diverse perspectives through her activities within the student community.
An is a proud member of her school’s Pride & Diversity (LGBTQ+) group, joined the climate leaders conference, and was selected as a Year 7 and 8 Student Voice Representatives member.
“These groups are student-run and strive to encourage a supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive school environment,” An shares.
The members of these groups are always working to create engaging activities for their fellow students, such as the Eco Schools Fair, Wear it Purple Day and Children’s Cancer Council events.
An has a passion for supporting her peers through community activities and is a proud member of both The Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), and the Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) Ambassador Program.
Participating in these organisations has empowered An to develop her leadership skills as she shares the views and perspectives of young people.
“I believe youth should be involved in the decisions and discussions shaping their future and I found out that there are great opportunities for youth voices to be heard.”
Earlier this year, An participated in YNOT’s Tasmanian Youth Forum, an event that provides an opportunity for young people aged 12 to 25 years to share their views on issues affecting young people as well as to propose solutions that could improve outcomes for young Tasmanians.
Amazingly, An’s contributions to her community haven’t stopped there. An crochets animal nests, which are donated to rescue organisations through the Green Crochet Group, volunteers at a local soup kitchen and recently joined a peer support program through her school.
An’s motivations for being so active and engaged in her community come from her strong beliefs in the importance of connection.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion contribute new ways of thinking, new knowledge and different experiences and approaches to our communities,” explains An, adding that she is grateful for the opportunity to have her voice heard and to be able to be a powerful advocate for young people in Tasmania.
Why An loves living in Tasmania
It will come as no surprise that An loves the lifestyle of living and studying in Tasmania.
“I am so happy that my family chose Tasmania! This place is like a hidden gem. The cities and towns are rich in history yet have all the necessary modern amenities and services.”
One of An's favourite things about living in Tasmania is that she can enjoy everything that city life has to offer and yet be so close to nature – a uniquely Tasmanian combination.
“Everyone can live their entire life here and still find new exciting things to discover and explore.”
Outside of Tasmania’s stunning natural features, An was in awe of the number of clubs available to her.
“Whether it's politics, sports, gardening, religion or writing, there's bound to be a club you can join.”
A passion for people
An’s future is bright and given her clear passion for people it’s no surprise that her long-term plans involve a bachelor's degree in medicine followed by a doctorate specialising in psychiatry.
“I have always been interested in how people think and interact with the world, and psychiatry is a field for me to continue exploring these interests. I am passionate about learning and expanding my knowledge which is why I plan to study psychiatry in the future.”