June 18, 2019
Meet our 2019 Youth Member for Nanango – Natalia Hutchison.
I caught up with Natalia in Brisbane, where she works full-time as a paralegal for the Brisbane City Council.
It was a privilege to hear about her work, studies and community involvement.
Not only does she work full-time, she is undertaking a double degree in Arts/Law and has chosen to represent her home region of Kilcoy as this year’s Youth Member for Nanango.
Natalia’s work ethic is to be admired and it’s fantastic to see a young woman like her taking up this leadership role and bringing her energy to the Youth Parliament experience.
She is a very driven person and an amazing role model for other young regional women who want to step up and get involved in creating positive change for our communities.
I was also impressed by her sense of community and the ongoing connection she has with her hometown of Kilcoy.
She has a keen interest in communicating with young people that growing up in a small town should not be seen as a disadvantage, but rather an opportunity – a belief I also firmly share.
The YMCA Youth Parliament is an annual program which teaches young people about the government decision-making process, while providing leadership opportunities for young people who may one day become Queensland’s future decision makers.
Natalia will join more than 90 other young people from around Queensland who have each been selected to represent their electorates.
They will debate issues facing our youth and develop legislation that they will take to a residential week at Parliament House from September 29–October 5.
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Supporting Regional Queenslanders
I was so proud to support the hundreds of regional Queenslanders who took part in the ‘Queenslanders Unite’ rally in Brisbane on Queensland Day.
Regional Queenslanders came to Brisbane with a simple message: Labor – leave our jobs alone.
Labor’s Jackie Trad wants regional communities to re-skill.
I want to give them more work, job security and a better future.
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Burrandowan Brings In The Crowds
It was a huge day of country racing at Burrandowan Picnic Races held on May 11.
This day puts so much back into our community and people travelled from far and wide to experience a country picnic race meeting at its best.
I loved doing my shift serving in the wine and can bar.
Thanks to all the volunteers who make this day an event not to be missed!
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Small Schools Are Great Schools!
I hit the road in May to visit three schools in the South Burnett and Gympie regions at Woolooga, Windera and Cloyna.
These are all small schools doing great things and it was lovely to meet the students, teachers and parents who make these schools the hub of their communities.
Thank you for the visits and making me feel so welcome.
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Visitoz Helping The Farm Sector
In the northern part of the Nanango Electorate there’s a great small business called Visitoz.
I visited them on their training farm in Booubyjan this week to meet Joanna Burnet, who started the business in 1991.
Annually, Visitoz place about 2000 young people from overseas into paid work in the general farm sector.
This eager group of backpackers had just started their training and will be off to jobs across Australia fairly soon!
Thanks to Joanna, Will, Jules and the Visitoz team for inviting me!
[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office and southburnett.com.au]
