Tuesday, 17 June 2025

 Jess WILSON (Kew) (15:51): This month it was an absolute pleasure to host students from primary and secondary schools in Kew in my school leaders forums, held right here in this chamber. I am so excited about the ideas and perspectives our young people will bring to this state in the future. I want to share with you some of the highlights.

Gilbert from Balwyn High School highlighted the significant impact of the North East Link project on residents of North Balwyn and called for improved public engagement from project staff and noise curfews to help residents sleep at night. Samaira, also from Balwyn High, highlighted the chronic underfunding of Victorian public schools in comparison to other states in Australia. Several students, including Sam from Greythorn Primary, Jarvis from St Anne’s, Abigal from Camberwell Girls, Theo from Kew High and Grace from Ruyton, raised the issue of youth mental health and the need to expand access to support services for young people. Others, including Kayla and Rose from Canterbury Girls’, Grace from Kew East Primary and Freddie from Sacred Heart, raised housing affordability and youth homelessness as key concerns of theirs.

Arnold from Camberwell Grammar, Lucy from MLC, Zoe from Our Holy Redeemer, Max from Our Lady of Good Counsel, Emily from Sacred Heart, Miles from Trinity, Charlie from Camberwell Grammar, Stephanie from Fintona, Jacquie from Genazzano and Emily from Kew High all focused on public transport and road issues, highlighting the need for greater public transport infrastructure as well as improved road quality and lighting and the expansion of bike paths.