Young Indigenous advocate awarded

BENDIGO Senior Secondary College student Amelia Leach has received the Zonta Club of Bendigo’s inaugural Indigenous Women and Girls’ Achievement Award.

The young volunteer has been acknowledged for her contributions to the Victorian Youth Congress, the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council, her school’s First Nations Leadership Team, and the Black Dog Soup Kitchen at Chiltern.

“Getting into the Victorian Youth Congress is probably one of my biggest accomplishments,” she said.

“It’s given me an opportunity to continue advocating for both Indigenous youth, alongside some other deadly mob, as well as advocate for youth in regional Victoria, and youth in general.”

Ms Leach is in her final year of school and is currently letter-writing to advocate for First Nations signage at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

She was honoured to win the Zonta award, as she has dreams to enter the political area, and continue her advocacy work throughout life.

“Getting into politics has always been my biggest goal since I was about eight, when Cathy McGowan was elected as my local MP in the Indi electorate,” Amelia said.

“Currently my aims are to get into university, as I’m nearing the end of year 12, and I’m looking to study a bachelor in either philosophy, politics and economics, or some form of global studies.

“But I think my overall goal with all of this, and my past experiences, has just been to help the people around me, both in my close community and from further away.”

Cathryn Mahon, Ms Leach’s mum, said the award acknowledges hard work and a dedication to community.

“The recognition… will inspire her to continue to keep helping, supporting, and speaking up, to create change for others,” she said.

Zonta Club of Bendigo members attended recent Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative NAIDOC Week Awards and flag-raising ceremony, where president Naidene Parry presented Amelia with her certificate.

The Club champions the achievements of Indigenous women and girls across the areas of service, community, education, sport, science, technology, engineering and maths, health, horticulture and the environment, and tourism.