Turning Passion into Impact

Many stories begin at the Y. From a child’s first tumble at Kinder Gym, to a young person’s first time attending the Alternative Suspension program, to a future leader’s first time presenting a bill as part of the Youth Parliament program. For many young people, the Y is where an inspired life begins.  

Lian’s journey with the Y started as a Youth Parliamentarian. She went on to become Youth Governor, and then a Volunteer Taskforce member, and then a Y NSW intern. She was inspired by the Y NSW, but her journey was grounded by an existing passion for creating change. 

“I think I've always been interested in leadership. From a young age I always wanted to help people and bring people together,” she said. 

Lian migrated to Australia when she was three years old and was one of two Indian students at her school. She noticed the difference between herself and her peers when people would comment on her lunch and on her appearance.  

“There were things that I was aware of, but I wasn't aware of diversity in leadership,” she said about the differences.  

“As I've grown older, I'm definitely more aware of the world around me, and I've noticed that there are some spaces that diversity is very present, and there are other spaces where diversity is not.” 

 

Now, driven by her experience with Youth Parliament – a program which provides students in Years 10-12 with a powerful non-partisan platform to debate issues, draft real legislation, and ensure young voices are heard in the halls of power – Lian wants to ensure everyone is represented across different organisations and spaces. 

“I think that just opened my eyes and the doors to a whole new world. For me, it was like discovering this new side and this new passion of mine,” Lian said.  

“I feel like Youth Parliament really opened that boundary of advocacy, and that was something that I was really passionate about – helping others and especially helping others find their voice and their story within such a chaotic world.” 

Since that first year, Lian has returned to Youth Parliament as Youth Governor and as a volunteer, continuously inspired to return to the program because of its impact.  

“Seeing the young people and seeing how much they grow and being able to have that positive impact,” Lian said about her motivation to return to the Youth Parliament program in multiple roles.  

Thanks to her time with the Y NSW across the Youth Parliament program and her internship, Lian is clear about where she wants her journey to lead.  

“After uni is finished, I actually want to be a program coordinator for Young People’s Services,” she said, referring to one of the arms of the Y NSW’s organisation.  

“I want to be able to work with other young people to design programs that actually empower them and build their character outside of the schooling system.” 

If you want to start or continue your Y journey with the Y NSW Youth Parliament program in 2027, find more information and apply online here.