The Minister for Community Development, Cassy O'Connor, today
congratulated six young Tasmanian Aboriginal people who have been selected to
attend the inaugural National Youth Indigenous Parliament.

Ms O'Connor said Rebekah Shurley, of Ulverstone; Marley Clark of
Flinders Island; Teangi Brown of Hobart; Emarra Gower of Launceston; Jordan
Clark of Bridgewater and Alice Wise of Launceston were among the fifty
indigenous leaders of the future who would debate issues affecting their
communities and their country at the event in Canberra later this
month.

 

"Participants were chosen because of their involvement in the
community, their interest in the Parliamentary system and their leadership
skills," Ms O'Connor said.

 

"I am confident that Rebekah, Marley, Teangi, Emarra, Jordan and
Alice will do a fantastic job representing the Tasmanian Aboriginal community at
this event."

 

Ms O'Connor said the inaugural National Youth Indigenous
Parliament was a great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Indigenous
people's right to vote.

 

"This is a tremendous opportunity for young Aboriginal people to
have a strong and vocal contribution to the future of our nation," she
said.

 

"One of the benefits of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament
is aimed at closing the gap with electoral participation in the Indigenous
community."

 

"I would like to personally congratulate Rebekah Shurley, Marley
Clark, Teangi Brown, Emarra Gower, Jordan Clark, and Alice Wise," she
said.

 

The event to be held in Canberra runs from 23-29 May 2012. The
Tasmanian delegation will be debating a Bill to make cultural awareness
compulsory in the curriculum.

 

(more detail of each of the participants included
below)

Rebekah SHURLEY - Ulverstone - 21 years

 

Rebekah Shurley, of Ulverstone, in the north-west of Tasmania
has had strong community involvement since being elected school captain,
participating in Tasmania's Model United Nations Assembly and as a finalist in
Rotary's Youth of the Year. She continues to work in the community as a
volunteer with her local church group and as member of the Six Rivers Aboriginal
Corporation.

 

She is aware of the ever changing environment of community life
and wishes to develop her skills to make her voice stronger to make a
difference, to bring awareness to Indigenous culture and to teach these skills
to other young Indigenous people. Rebekah has public speaking skills which she
would like to pass to others so they can make a difference and be
heard.

 

 

Marley CLARK - Flinders Island - 17 years

 

Marley Clark, of Flinders Island, is an active participant in
her community. She is a determined person who has a passion for Indigenous
affairs and wants to promote ideas and issues facing Indigenous
people.

 

Marley is a great role model and is prepared to do that little
extra when difficulties arise. She has a good civic and constitutional knowledge
having recently attended a constitutional recognition forum to promote
constitutional change and presented to the Prime Minister, Julia
Gillard.

 

 

Teangi BROWN - Hobart - 17 years

 

Teangi Brown, of Hobart, is a young independent man who values
being a positive role model and is active in his
community.

 

Teangi has done Welcome to Country ceremony at events and
participated in a film project to promote Indigenous culture with the Tasmanian
Elders Council in Launceston. He has also made a dance documentary highlighting
the French/Indigenous history in Tasmania. His diversity of interests includes being part of a philosophy group, bushwalking and scuba diving. Teangi is motivated, respectful, has a desire to learn through participation and aware that change is possible and sometimes
necessary.

 

 

Emarra GOWER - Launceston - 15 years

 

Emarra Gower, of Launceston, has shown leadership, commitment,
determination and a willingness to learn in applying herself to making a
difference in her life and those around her. She participates in many community
events, rallies and youth programs. She is a mentor for other young Indigenous
members of her community and is able to work with the Elders of her community
recognising their strengths and knowledge.

 

Emarra is a young person who has awareness and understanding
about issues and her community and is about making a difference not only for
herself but also for others.

 

 

Jordan CLARK - Bridgewater - 15 years

 

Jordan Clark, of Bridgewater, is a young person motivated and
actively involved in making a difference in her
community.

 

A school student, she is able to communicate effectively and
recognises issues that are important in her community. Jordan is willing to
share her skills and encourage others to be more involved to make a better place
for all.

 

 

Alice WISE - Launceston - 17 years

 

Alice Wise, of Launceston, is a motivated person who has had to
leave her home on Flinders Island where she is a junior member of the Flinders
Island Aboriginal Association to study Indigenous art at Launceston
College.

 

She recognises education as a way for furthering Indigenous
issues in her community and the broader Australian community. Alice is committed
to keeping Indigenous knowledge alive through her own learning and
understanding.