An ambitious Griffith high schooler is one step closer to her dream of changing the world after winning the Country to Canberra Leadership Competition.
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Marian Catholic College’s Nayani Navaneethan won the award for her speech on gender equality, a cause she has championed since she came to Australia at age five.
“I’m passionate about this topic because of my cultural background,” Nayani said.
“I came from Sri Lanka, where many women aren’t allowed an education, or they are forced to stop at the age of 16 to do cooking and cleaning.”
“That’s why when I moved to Australia I felt like I had a voice, and I want to use that voice to support other women around the world.”
Nayani will be honing her voice on a “Power Trip” to Canberra, where she will be receiving public speaking and leadership training.
The Power Trip comes with the leadership competition award, and it will involve brushing shoulders with some of the most powerful women in politics over the course of four days in November.
Nayani said she hopes the training will help bring her one step closer to her dream of studying medicine and helping people from third world countries.
The Year 10 student has already made her mark in Sri Lanka, where she did a High Schools Special Medicine Program earlier this year.
After working with doctors in Sri Lankan hospitals for two weeks she felt inspired to study medicine and work for non profit organisations overseas.
“I’ve always wanted to go to third world countries and help out so they can have better access to the facilities we take for granted over here,” she said.
She said that one of the things taken for granted by women in Australia is the freedom to play sport, which is not encouraged in Sri Lanka.
After moving to Australia Nayani threw herself into sport so hard that she has had two surgeries on her knee from basketball and netball injuries.
She is also involved in community and charity events including Meals on Wheels, and she is the president of her school’s Community Action Team.
Her school principal Alan Le Brocque said he is “absolutely positive” that Nayani will be able to achieve her dream of becoming a travelling doctor.
“She never ceases to amaze,” Mr Le Brocque said. “She’s an outstanding young woman who has an incredible career ahead of her in whatever area she chooses to go into.”
“She’s a great role model not only for her community but for the students here at the school. She has a huge heart for community service and is continually seeking new ways to go out and find service to provide for others.”
Country to Canberra CEO Hannah Wandel said the competition was especially fierce this year.
“Hundreds of girls submitted phenomenal videos and stories to our leadership competition, making it an incredibly tough selection process,” she said.
“The girls should be extremely proud of such a huge achievement. They’ll be great ambassadors for their local communities when they shine on the national stage in Canberra.”
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
