Just weeks before the Summit, Chereine met with the NSW Minister for Youth Rose Jackson in Broken Hill, where they discussed the challenges faced by rural students. A key issue raised during the meeting was equitable access to extracurricular activities and educational resources for rural students – an issue Chereine took directly to the youth summit stage.
The summit, co-designed by a Youth Summit Working Group made up entirely of young people, brought together participants from diverse regional and metro communities, cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
Together, they engaged directly with Ministers and Commissioners on critical issues that define their futures, including the cost-of-living pressures, mental health, housing availability, climate change, education and employment.
This milestone event was a collaboration between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Office for Regional Youth, the Advocate for Children and Young People and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. The event highlights a transformative shift in how the NSW Government values youth input, moving beyond traditional consultation to hands-on, real-time dialogue with decision-makers.
As a member of the Minister’s Student Council, DOVES (Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools), Chereine represents students in rural South and West NSW, ensuring their voices are included in state level education policy discussions.
The NSW Youth Summit provided Chereine with the opportunity to further amplify her advocacy by participating in dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops and networking sessions with NSW Government Ministers and leaders.
A pivotal workshop, led by NSW Minister for Youth Rose Jackson, gave young participants a platform to express how they want to engage with government in the future, emphasising the importance of authentic, ongoing youth input. By involving young people in direct discussions with government ministers, the summit reflected NSW’s commitment to empowering young voices and demonstrates a real investment in their role in shaping NSW.
Thousands of young people have been a part of the NSW Government’s Your Voice, Our Future consultation ahead of the summit and the online survey will remain open until Tuesday 31 December.
To complete the survey, go to: https://bit.ly/YourVoiceOurFuture-NSW.
NSW Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:
“The Youth Summit is a historic moment for NSW. Today, young people from every corner of NSW have the chance to speak directly to government leaders, making sure their voices are heard loud and clear on the issues that affect their lives and futures.
“We’re here not just to listen but to learn from young people and to bring their ideas into action. The NSW Government is committed to making young people genuine partners in shaping policies that impact their communities.
“This summit is the beginning of a stronger, ongoing relationship between young people and the NSW Government. Today’s conversations will lead to be an important step on determining how the NSW Government engages with young people into the future.
“As Minister for Youth, I am committed to amplifying young people’s voices, empowering them to play an active role in shaping government policies on the issues that matter most to them.”
NSW Youth Summit participant, 15-year-old Chereine Wellington from Broken Hill said:
“I was very excited to be given the opportunity to meet with Minister Jackson in my hometown and attend the NSW Youth Summit.
“I was able to bring up the limited access to extracurricular activities and educational resources provided to rural towns compared to metro districts.
“It really affects kids in my school when the classes needed don’t run. Distance education just isn’t able to provide the same benefits as face-to-face learning.”
