I share how pleased I was to attend the recent Have Your Say Day last month. It was held at Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus. This event was incredibly impressive and very inspiring.
Run by the Beaches Leadership Team—a dynamic group of student leaders representing schools across the northern beaches—this event blows me away every time. This initiative was youth led, student driven, and thoughtfully supported by the Northern Beaches Council and its youth advisory group. I commend all those involved, from the student organisers and participants to the teachers, mentors and council staff who have worked behind the scenes to ensure that our young people are not only heard but also empowered to lead.
The aim of Have Your Say Day was clear: to give young people a platform to share their lived experience, voice their ideas, and inform local leaders and youth service providers about what really matters to them. The students absolutely nailed it. Ahead of the event, the Beaches Leadership Team coordinated a comprehensive survey of their peers. They reached an incredible 2,120 students across the northern beaches; a number that speaks to their ability to mobilise, collaborate and lead with purpose. The findings of that survey were presented during the forum, and formed the foundation of some robust, thoughtful discussions during which we were able to ask questions from the audience. That experience of an engaged cohort engaging with us and each other about the presentations, was the standout.
The top three issues students raised were social media, transportation and mental health. Let us start with social media. Unsurprisingly, young people are deeply aware of the complex impact digital platforms have on their lives. They talked about the pressure to present a curated image online, the impact of comparison culture, cyberbullying, and the effect of constant connectivity on self-esteem and sleep. They also shared ideas on how to harness social media positively for activism, creativity and community connection. They are asking for better digital literacy education, more open conversations, and support systems that acknowledge both the risks and rewards of the online world.
The second issue raised was transportation. For students, reliable, safe and accessible transport is more than just a convenience; it is essential for independence, a casual job, connection, opportunity and, most of all, safety. They spoke about the lack of frequent and direct bus services between suburbs, and how that affects everything from after-school jobs to mental health support access and even social inclusion. As someone who has long advocated for better public transport across the northern beaches—particularly in the absence of a committed metro or train line—I found this insight particularly validating and motivating. These young leaders are reinforcing what we have known for years: that we need real investment in equitable public transport solutions for our region and, for females in particular, for safety, especially in the evenings. E-bikes were also raised as part of the solution.
The third major concern was mental health. This topic continues to surface across every demographic I speak to, but hearing it so clearly and passionately expressed by young people is very powerful. Students shared stories of how mental health challenges affect their friends, families and schools. They want early intervention, peer support programs, better access to counselling and less stigma. They want adults to listen without judgement, and they want to be part of the solution. These are not idle complaints. They are constructive, informed and incredibly important calls to action. What impressed me most was the maturity and insight with which students approached these complex challenges. They were not just identifying problems; they were proposing ideas, sharing personal experiences and asking the tough questions of those in power.
I came away from Have Your Say Day not only more informed but also incredibly hopeful and inspired. The Beaches Leadership Team is a credit to their schools and community. Their passion, organisation and advocacy are already making an impact. I encourage all levels of government to take notice of this model of youth‑led engagement. It works, and it should be replicated and supported across the State. I thank the students, and other local leaders, for inviting me to be part of such a meaningful event. Students' voices matter. I will do everything I can in this place to amplify them and, of course, to continue to actively engage with them. They are not just the future; they are leaders right now. Let us keep listening to our young people, let us keep supporting their ideas, and let us ensure that their priorities inform the policies and services we deliver in this place.
Read the Private Members' Statement here
05 June 2025, 18:43