Umu Jalloh and Joanna Alqas Toma
Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (10:30): I rise to recognise and commend two remarkable students from Kororoit who recently did work experience in my electorate office: Umu Jalloh from Copperfield College King’s Park campus and Joanna Alqas Toma from Springside West Secondary College. Umu is a passionate and articulate young leader who I first met during my visits at Copperfield College. During her five-day placement at my electorate office Umu immersed herself in the world of politics with both confidence and curiosity. One of the stand-out moments of her week without a doubt was meeting the Premier Jacinta Allan, a moment that she described as both inspiring and unforgettable. Umu joined me on several tours and events and gained firsthand insight into the role of a member of Parliament. She engaged in policy and community work with great interest, and she has left a lasting impression on both my team and me, and I have no doubt that her future will be bright. Joanna also approached her placement with professionalism, drive and a genuine passion for community engagement. She shared that this opportunity allowed her to see just how much thought and care goes into representing the community. Whether assisting with office work or attending public events with me, Joanna took the initiative and made the most of every opportunity to both learn and contribute. She spoke of being inspired by the work that we do to include young people in the conversation, and I can confidently say that she has a bright path ahead of her. I want to sincerely thank both Umu and Joanna for choosing my electorate office to do their work experience. Not only did they learn and gain insights but so did we.