Last week, the Junior Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) met with Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP and CEO and Founder of Vuly Trampolines and Bonner local Joe Andon to have their say on issues important to them.

The meeting saw three students from Moreton Bay College and Gumdale State School join a Zoom call with Mr Vasta and Mr Andon to find out more about how the Vuly Trampolines business started.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this year the BYAC was extended to junior students, providing students between years 5 and 6 with the opportunity to meet with Mr Vasta and other community leaders.

“Meeting with the Junior BYAC is always a special highlight for me, as it is a chance to meet with the inquisitive young minds and natural born leaders from schools across Bonner. I am always learning from these students,” said Mr Vasta.

“I wanted to involve Joe in this term’s Junior BYAC as he inspires me greatly with his work ethic and creative mind. I knew he would be a hit with the students and encourage them that no idea or dream is ever too big to pursue.

“The students were engaged with Joe’s story, particularly how he started working on the business venture that is now the Bonner based and internationally renowned Vuly Trampolines whilst he was still at school!

“I was very impressed with the students who took part. They asked insightful questions around how Joe started his business, what inspires him and how he handles moments when things in his business don’t go to plan.”

CEO and Founder of Vuly Trampolines Joe Andon said, “It was so good to talk to these students.”

“I really loved the questions, the train of thought they had and to be honest; it just reminded me of being a kid again. I got to relive that part of my journey and fill them in on everything that’s happened ever since.”

Moreton Bay College year 6 student Jessie Hawkins said, “I had a fabulous time during the Junior BYAC meeting and am really inspired by Mr Andon’s story. I even went home and brainstormed ideas for a business with my 2 sisters!”

“Junior BYAC participants can be chosen by their school or they can self-nominate for the chance to be the youth voice of their peers,” said Mr Vasta.

“This was a fantastic final Junior BYAC meeting for 2021 and I am looking forward to the exciting plans I have for next year.”

If you would like to be part of the 2022 Junior BYAC, contact your school and email your nomination to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services and Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth joined Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP as part of the most recent Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC).

The Zoom meeting saw four year 11 and 12 students representing Moreton Bay College, Redeemer Lutheran College and Churchie hear from Mr Vasta and Mr Howarth on the importance of leadership as well as Mr Howarth’s assistant ministerial duties.

Mr Vasta said BYAC was not only about giving local students a platform to have their voices and opinions heard, but to also provide insight on the inner workings of the Government.

“The last 18 months hasn’t been easy for our students, from lockdowns impacting their studies to the cancellation of extracurricular activities like sport and music, but they continue to step up and tackle all the obstacles that come their way,” said Mr Vasta.

“Our local students are natural born leaders and that was so clearly demonstrated by those participating in this BYAC meeting. Luke was able to encourage them, reminding the students that being a voice for change doesn’t just have to happen in the walls of Parliament House, it can happen amongst your school peers, your friends and your family.”

“I was very proud of these students who were eager to participate in conversation and raise the issues that are important to them right now, including topics such as social media and the environment.”

Mr Howarth said, “Being a guest as part of this BYAC was a privilege. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in the potential of our young people.

“What goes hand in hand with being a good leader is listening and recognising the value of new ideas. I strongly encourage these students and their peers to keep speaking up and being advocates for positive change.”

“BYAC participants can be chosen by their school or they can self-nominate for the chance to be the youth voice of their peers,” Mr Vasta said.

If you would like to be part of the 2021 BYAC, contact your school and email your nomination to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au.

Member for Townsville Phil Thompson MP joined Ross Vasta MP for the final Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) Zoom of 2020 to offer inspiring insight into his journey from infantryman to parliamentarian.

Mr Vasta said BYAC was not only about giving local students a platform to have their voices and opinions heard, but to also provide insight on the inner workings of their Government.

“We had a fantastic turnout for the final BYAC Zoom meeting of 2020 and I hope they encourage their fellow students to get involved next year,” Mr Vasta said.

“My BYAC guest was the Member for Townsville who spoke about his journey into public life following a career in the Australian Defence Force.

“If there’s one message Phil passed on, I felt resonated, was his views on leadership and standing up for something you believe in – in his words it’s about ‘taking the hard right instead of the easy wrong’.”

Mr Vasta said BYAC participants asked some great questions around mental health, how students like themselves could reach our and why Phil took on further studies after his military career.

“It’s always great to hear about the issues at the forefront of young people’s minds and how they feel about other matters,” Mr Vasta said.

“I look forward to continuing the BYAC into 2021 and nominations are now open for the Junior (years 5-6) and Senior (years 10-12) BYAC.”

For more information or to get involved, contact your school and email your nomination to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au