Local high schools take part in USQ Leadership Day

Local high schools take part in the USQ Leadership Day program at Springfield campus

Year 12 student leaders from the local area descended on USQ's Springfield campus recently for the 2011 USQ Youth Leadership Day.

More than 120 students from Ipswich and Brisbane schools attended the one-day event aimed at assisting senior students in becoming good leaders.

USQ Springfield Director Doug Fraser said the day helped school leaders inspire their peers and to represent their school with dignity.

'As part of the day, students heard an inspiring story from successful 22 year-old Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director of the Left Right Think-Tank, Richard Newnham,' Mr Fraser said.

'Founded in 2008, Left Right Think-Tank’s mission is to involve young people in public policy. Its vision is for a society that seeks to embrace the ideas of young people.

'Richard is a 2010-11 Steering Committee Member for the Australian Youth Forum, a Board Member of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, Youth Tree and the Youth Affairs of Council of Western Australia.

'He is also a Corporate Internship Graduate from Kelly Services, an international human resources management firm.

'Throughout 2007-2008 Richard was Australia’s most senior Defence Force Cadet while he served as the National Cadet Under Officer of the Australian Army Cadets based in Canberra, representing the 16 500 Army Cadets nationwide.

'He is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Western Australia.'

Mr Fraser said Richard was a powerful example of what hard work and initiative could achieve and a fantastic role model for the students.

'Richard spoke to them about his own story and leadership experiences and some of the challenges he faced along the way,' he said.

'He was a very enthusiastic speaker and someone the students could really identify with, being a member of Generation Y himself.'

Mr Fraser said the students were also led through sessions on defining the qualities of a good leader and were led through sessions on practical leadership principles and effective communication strategies.

'The focus of the day was to develop good leadership skills with a focus on inclusiveness.'

'USQ feels privileged to be able to host an event that helps students to realise their potential.'

Students from the following schools participated in Leadership Day: Boonah State High School, Browns Plains State High School, Bundamba State Secondary College, Canterbury College, Centenary State High School, Forest Lake State High School, Glenala State High School, Ipswich Grammar School, Ipswich State High School, Redbank Plains State High School, St Augustine's College, St Mary's College Ipswich, St Peter Claver College.

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096