Student leaders from the five schools in the Temora shire took part in the annual Student Leaders Roundtable at the council chambers last Thursday, 30 July. Coming from Ariah Park Central School, St. Anne’s Catholic College, Temora Public School, Temora West Public School and Temora High School the students were joined by their school principals. The event has been taking place for a number of years now and student representatives are given the opportunity to ask questions and interact with community leaders. This year state member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was unable to attend but Federal member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, Temora Shire mayor Rick Firman and Temora Shire general manager Melissa Boxall were all available to answer questions. It is a great opportunity for students from both secondary and primary schools to come together in the formal meeting setting and not only meet with civic leaders but also with each other. Mayor Rick Firman said that it's a great annual event and an important event, as far as council are concerned. “It's important that our student leaders know that they do have a seat at the table, that they're not just leaders within their school community but also within our Temora community and that they know that they have access to their mayor, to their councillors, to the senior staff,” Cr Firman said. “They ask some very interesting questions that make us think, but it was important to amplify that if they have some ideas or comments or feedback, good, bad or ugly, that they feel comfortable to be able to share those as well. “We want student leaders to know that they can reach out to us anytime, when we receive letters, we respond to each and every one of them.” Questions posed included what are the hardest part of being in a leadership role, what can be done about the shortage of teachers in our schools, what inspires a person to become a leader, what advice would you give young people that aspire to becoming leaders? There were even political questions about One Nation and the influence they are having over the country and the local electorates. The students were also asked questions, and Cr Firman said the answers were both great and heart-warming. “Our young ones continue to inspire us all, Temora Shire’s future going to be in very safe hands,” he said.
