ROLE MODEL: Spinifex State College student Justice King. – Picture: HAILEY RENAULT
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QUEENSLAND Youth Strategy Ambassador Justice King has her sights set on the prime minister’s office.
A year ago, the 16-year-old Spinifex State College student was sent off to a National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy camp and came back inspired to make a change in her life and her community.
As the newest Queensland ambassador, she will now join six other teens to advise government on youth issues and shape policy for years to come.
Miss King said after school, she wanted to explore the mining industry or study social science and also aspired to be the first female indigenous prime minister.
The busy high school student has already enacted her own Community Connections policy in the Isa, working to build networks for at-risk youth contemplating suicide, and selling Chupa Chups to raise money for Young People Ahead.
She said growing up in a broken home and dealing with depression as a young person drove her to tackle youth issues head on and emerge as a young leader.
“I think a leader is a person who takes someone who feels as if they can’t and makes them believe that they can,” she said.
“I want to make sure I portray that to young people and make sure they know they are able to do anything they put their mind to.”
Miss King will represent the families, friends and social network portfolio – one of six categories given to each ambassador.
Bundaberg school-leaver Ben Galea, 17, will join Miss King as the volunteering and participation ambassador.
Mr Galea is working at Winton at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum, and said he was keen to use his time as a youth ambassador to encourage young people to explore the opportunities out there for them to get out in the community and volunteer their time.
The pair will travel to Brisbane in September for their first workshop.