By Christine from Firefly Bay & Basin 

Over the weekend, Tash and I travelled to Geelong to attend the 2025 Student Voice Conference, hosted by the Australian Council for Student Voice. The theme — Connect. Share. Empower. — couldn’t have been more fitting. 

We were initially encouraged by Dr Ruth Winfield, Principal of Vincentia High School, who suggested nominating for the Partnership for Change Award at the conference. When Tash saw the opportunity to present, we knew it was a chance to share what we’ve been working on — and learn from others. 

Walking In 

We arrived on Day 1 feeling excited. We’d come a long way and weren’t sure what to expect. But the atmosphere was warm, friendly, and disarming. There was a tangible sense of welcome, and before long, we felt right at home among people who care deeply about youth empowerment, education, and co-design. 

A Space for Challenging Conversations 

The conference opened with a powerful keynote from Dr. Aleryk Fricker, who invited us all to challenge the colonial foundations of our education system. He asked: What would it look like to dream a curriculum rooted in truth-telling, decolonisation, and First Nations knowledge systems?  It was a powerful, moving, and necessary provocation. 

Later that day, we witnessed the launch of the Australian Framework for Student Empowerment — a living, evolving resource shaped by over 18 months of collaboration and reflection. We’re excited to review it more closely and explore how it can guide our future work with Firefly and the Youth Voice Project. 

Presenting Our Work 

On Day 2, Tash and I had the opportunity to present our work on the Youth Voice Project — a co-designed initiative created in partnership with young people from the Bay and Basin, Vincentia High School, and a broad network of community partners.  Trying to condense two years of effort into 45 minutes wasn’t easy, but the audience was engaged and encouraging — it was affirming to share the journey.

At the end of the day, Tash was also invited to participate in the closing panel discussion, where she reflected on the highlights of the conference alongside other student and adult presenters. It was a powerful moment — hearing her speak so confidently and insightfully about what the experience had meant, not just for us, but for the broader movement of student voice. 
 

Also on Day 2, we were joined by Dr Ruth Winfield, who made the trip to support us. Having Ruth in the room meant a lot — it showed that our local school leadership values what we’re doing and stands behind the work. 

National Recognition 

We were incredibly honoured to receive the Highly Commended Award in the Partnership for Change category. This recognition is first and foremost for the students, for their courage, creativity, and willingness to lead. This project is a testament to what true co-design and effective partnerships can achieve. 

Learning and Growing 

We left the conference inspired by the projects we heard about from across the country. A few that stood out: 

• AI in Schools – a brilliant presentation by Rhys Heinrich, a Year 12 student from South Australia, on how the SA Department of Education is approaching artificial intelligence in learning. 

• School Can’t – a thought-provoking session by Tiffany Westphal, exploring the impact of school-based trauma and the importance of system-wide change. 

• A student-led discussion about lowering the voting age, facilitated by Tran, a passionate Year 12 student, sparked great cross-generational dialogue. 

Looking Ahead 

We left the conference more empowered than ever. It affirmed that we’re on the right path — working in genuine partnership with young people and the wider community. 

Next up for the Youth Voice Project is reviewing how we embed the new national framework into our work and continuing to support our young leaders as they shape what comes next. 

If you’re keen to stay connected or collaborate with us, get in touch. Let’s keep building something meaningful across schools, communities, and generations.