MADISON Stutynski has been busy in Canberra representing the views of the region – and addressing the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence – at youth forum Heywire.
The Mackay teen’s story about her own brush with drunken violence won her a place at the week-long forum, which is run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The competition, open to those aged between 16 and 22, asks regional youth to ‘tell it like it is’ through short stories in text, pictures, video or audio about what life is like outside major Australian cities.
Ms Stutynski focused on the reality of violence among young girls, telling a story about how she became a victim of physical abuse at a friend’s party.
She wrote that the incident opened her eyes, ‘To the types of things that are going wrong to good people and why there is a limit on the consumption of alcohol.
‘This really affected me, because I am the kind of student with A’s, does her part in the community more than often, has big dreams to study at University, just trying to help someone out, I’d never been in a fight before and this happens.’
The 18-year-old says she is so far enjoying the forum and checking out the nation’s capital.
She said the forum, in its 12th year, had already provided great opportunities for her to meet people in high places and exchange ideas.
“I’ve met with some government representatives to talk about rural and regional issues,” she said.
Ms Stutynski, who is studying architecture at the University of Queensland, is also taking part in mentoring, training, networking and skill building activities.
She has already delivered a speech about alcohol-fuelled violence in rural communities.
Other highlights of her trip include a morning tea at Parliament House to meet local members and Federal Ministers; meetings with Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians Adam Smith; and sitting in on Parliament question time.
Ms Stutynski’s entry is at heywire.abc.net.au. Entries are open for the 2010 Heywire competition.
Issued by The Daily Mercury 4th February 2010
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/04/teen-airs-trauma-of-drunken-girls-fighting-at-part/
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