Look out NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Noah Coomas has your job in his sights.
The Sylvania High School Year 9 student recently took part in the Aboriginal Secondary Students’ Great Debates program, held at NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly chamber.
The program was first held in 2007 with six students. It now involves hundreds of Aboriginal students across Sydney.
Looking at ease at the lectern, Noah was part of the combined Airds and Sylvania high schools’ debating team.
The team argued against the proposal: The Australian national anthem should always be performed in the local Aboriginal language.
Although his team’s argument failed to win the day, Noah said although it was “a bit daunting” to be speaking in parliament’s main house it was a genuine honour.
“Speaking here made me feel like it was something I could actually do,” he said.
The debates were the culmination of the Aboriginal Secondary Students’ Great Debates program which included two days of workshops.
Schools participating in the program included Airds High School, Bonnyrigg High School, Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, Matraville Sports High School, Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt Campus, and Sylvania High School.