WHEN year 12 St Monica’s College student Rachael Fenech leaves school, she plans to dedicate herself to others through a career in nursing and midwifery.
The Epping teenager has been so keen to get a head start in the healthcare industry that she began volunteering as a St John Ambulance cadet two years ago.
Fenech says she enjoys getting out and using her skills – she often attends major sporting events and concerts with the St John crew.
“I’ve held back a bit this year while I am in year 12, but I still keep up my first aid,” she says.
“I wanted to work to get prior knowledge.”
The 17-year-old is also a school council representative and an Australian Red Cross Blood Service ambassador.
Fenech’s most recent accomplishment is becoming a state representative, having been announced as one of 19 members of the Victorian government’s youth advisory committee, Involve.
The committee is made up of eight 12-17-year-olds and eight aged 18 to 25. They will liaise with Youth Affairs Minister Ryan Smith and “use their skills to benefit the community”.
Fenech is passionate about raising awareness of bullying and obesity, which she hopes to bring into focus in the committee.
She wants to address bullying “in schools and the community” and says
it is important to ensure people are aware of the scope of the issue.
“I don’t think people know the simplest thing can be classified as bullying, and the effect it can have,” she says.
Fenech also lists road safety and transport as some of her key areas of concern.
She has had many fellow students coming to her with complaints about the availability of Myki. This is just one of the things she plans to take to Minister Smith.
To focus her attention on “fixing the bigger issues”, Fenech will highlight the importance of taking care of the environment.
She will push for “simple things” such as saving water and electricity.
Having met the other committee members at earlier interviews, Fenech says she is looking forward to the committee getting started and meeting government representatives.
“Everyone is excited and proud,” she says.
“We are all interested to find out what we can do together.”
The state government youth advisory committee will meet at the end of July.
Details: visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au.
