Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 3583 ..

MS MacDONALD (continuing):

when I told him that, based on the excellent and inspirational speech he gave, he could go into a career in politics or onto the speech-making circuit.

Jamila will compete with candidates from the other states and territories for the national Young Achievement Australia young business person of the year award in Sydney on 3 December this year. I wish her well and I am sure the best wishes of all members will be with her on the night.

Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, Young Achievement Australia has an outstanding record in developing business enterprise and entrepreneurial skills in youth from our region. YAA uses a number of learning tools. The program offers a management skills and team leadership day. This is an interactive learning event where participants have the opportunity to enhance their skills and teamwork, motivation, focus, initiative and discipline.

Student companies also participate in a trade fair, which provides them with the opportunity to finetune their selling techniques while showcasing their products and putting marketing strategies into practice. They also sell their products or services through less formal channels.

Mentors from ACT government and business provide strategic direction and practical advice to students to develop and manage their companies, products and services. I would like to applaud this group of committed professionals for their dedication and contribution to a worthwhile program and to the students with whom they work.

Because of this commitment from students and mentors of the 12 student companies operating in the ACT and south-east New South Wales region last year, three companies won a total of four awards in the Young Achievement Australia national awards, which is very good going indeed.

In closing, I would also like to recognise the outstanding efforts of Virginia Lette, Young Achievement Australia's manager for the ACT region. Over the past two years Virginia has been an excellent and, I have to say, enthusiastic ambassador for the Young Achievement Australia program. Not only has she coordinated the program, she has also provided a focus and a direction for students and has been a link between sponsors, business, students and the Young Achievement Australia organisation.

I commend the motion to you and I hope all members will join me in congratulating these hardworking and highly motivated young people. Again, congratulations to all 250 students and best of luck to Jamila Rizvi in bringing home the national prize for the ACT on 3 December.

MR SMYTH (8.16): Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, Young Achievement Australia is a great organisation. They do tremendous work. They unfetter some of that enthusiasm, zeal and good ideas that young Australians, and particularly young Canberrans, have and unleash it on the world, and that's a great thing. You only have to look at the sorts of things that they get into. Over the last couple of years I have had the pleasure of being at some of their events and launching a few of their products-everything from CDs to massage oil. There are a lot of young fellows and young women out there who are thinking about what they want and how they can turn that into a profit.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .