Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn) (13:10): Last Friday I had the pleasure of hosting two of my annual Hawthorn student leadership forums, bringing together students from across our outstanding local schools. In the morning I welcomed primary school leaders from Auburn Primary, Bialik primary, Camberwell Primary, Hawthorn West Primary and St Joseph’s primary. It was a joy to hear from Sophia, Joaquin, Poppy and Conor; Emily, Minnie, Onn Jax and Adam; Alex, Elsa, Annelies, Amelie, Grace, Oscar, Ella and Harvey; as well as Lucy, Tion, Fleur, Mila and Pippa. Together we spoke about the qualities that make a great leader: listening, including to others, and having the courage to learn from mistakes. One comment that stayed with me was ‘There is always tomorrow’ – a reminder to students that even after the toughest of days we can always look forward to new beginnings with hope.

Later in the day I hosted my high school leadership forum with Saasha, Egbert and Niels from Auburn High; Louis and Halle from Bialik; Sena, Ellen and Will from Camberwell High School; Charlie and William from Scotch College; and Stella and Isla from Strathcona Girls Grammar. I hold these forums to give student leaders the chance to connect with peers from other schools, exchange ideas and reflect on the positive role they can play in shaping school culture and beyond. To these students I say this: your insights, hopes and ideals reveal you to be mature beyond your years and an inspiration to all of us who are witnessing your evolution into the leaders our community, state and country will need in the years and decades ahead.