ABC Heywire Tamar Valley Gala

I acknowledge the Palawa/Pakana people of Lutruwita, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered tonight.  

I pay my respects to Elders past and present and recognise all First Nations people connected to the land and who are present at this event.  

The Tamar Valley has been a special place for more than 40,000 years.  

For generations, Palawa/Pakana youth gathered on these riverbanks to connect, learn, and look after Country. 

That same community spirit is alive today.

This valley belongs to a deep history, but its future relies on the energy and voice of the next generation sitting right here.

A big congratulations to our 34 winners who are here tonight.  

As well as everyone who entered the Heywire competition in the Tamar Valley and surrounds.

It’s so great to see the world premiere of your fantastic stories.

Learning about young people like Prince, who's training to become a future Tassie Devil, or Lotte, who is remembering her dad in a powerful way.

You and the friends you've made through Heywire have something to say – and it is so important that your voices are heard.

I also want to acknowledge our MC's Taz and Em, and the entire ABC Heywire team.  

For 28 years, ABC Heywire has been giving young people from regional, rural and remote Australia a platform to share their stories, to have their voices heard by decision-makers, and to develop ideas to improve their communities.

I’ve been to a couple of these events as the Minister for Youth now.

I really enjoyed attending last year’s Heywire event in Burnie and the ABC Heywire Gala event in Canberra earlier this year.

What makes Heywire special for me is the way it finds the pulse of so many diverse communities across the country and tells their stories.

By capturing young people's hopes and dreams in the places they call home, Heywire does a service to the whole nation.  

Through Heywire, we get to know young people.

We get to know their communities through their eyes.

And we get a glimpse of Australia’s future.

And based on what we are seeing, we know that future is bright.

Giving young people a voice is something that I’m passionate about.

Because the decision governments make today will shape the Australia of your future.

And we believe young people should be involved in decisions that affect their lives today, as well as those that will shape their tomorrow.  

That's why our Government is creating more opportunities for young people to have a direct say in the decisions that affect them.

Through the Office for Youth, young people from across Australia are helping shape policy on issues that matter to them.

From improving access to mental health, to enhancing inclusion, access and participation in sport, and identifying and addressing meaningful key areas of climate risk for young people.

Tonight’s a celebration of Northern Tasmania’s young people and a world premiere of your stories.  

The next group of stories we’ll hear from are: Jessica, Aiden, Hayin, Hector, Samantha, Ryan, and Ivy.

Another massive congratulations to all the winners of Heywire Tamar Valley.

I look forward to watching you build that bright future through your passion and your commitment for your communities.

And I look forward to supporting more young Australians to find their voices too.