Rudd takes five for youth

By Lia Bichel
THERE were high-fives, lots of laughs, pictures and even a little singing when Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd stopped by Casey last week to speak with young students and meet local residents.
Mr Rudd’s visit was part of National Youth Week celebrations-where hundreds of thousands of young Australians take part in events around the country to showcase their talents and have their say.
Mr Rudd spoke with students from Fountain Gate Secondary College and a cross-section of university students from the local area.
In a lengthy question and answer session at the office of Holt MP Anthony Byrne, in Narre Warren, the students discussed various issues such as Australia’s political and economic ties, international conflict and the global financial crisis.
Mr Rudd told students it was great to forge multi-cultural friendships and was impressed at youths’ relationships today.
“You’re generation is completely colourblind, and it’s a great thing,” Mr Rudd told the students.
“It’s a fantastic thing for our Australian future.”
Students asked him what his opinion was on a carbon tax, what his vision was for the East Asian Summit, and whether he planned on running for Prime Minister in the future.
While Mr Rudd seemed surpirsed with the level of intelligent questions, he said he was impressed.
“The students I met with were clearly connected with their local community and the international challenges the world faces. They asked great questions and it was my honour to spend time with such engaged young Australians,” he said.
Following the questions and answer session, Mr Rudd walked to Westfield Fountain Gate, singing the Canadian Anthem to a certain journalist (ahem, me), and soaking up the celebrity-style frenzy with shoppers, who were stepping on each other’s toes totry and get a photo of the former Prime Minister.
Mr Byrne said locals felt like he was “one of their own” and said that the students had a great time meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister.
“It is very encouraging to see young people across Holt getting involved this week by rasing awareness of what matters to them and participating in the huge array of events in and around our community like live concerts, forums, workshops, sporting activities and film festivals,” Mr Byrne said.
The theme for this year’s National Youth Week – Own It! – is about young people taking control of their destinies and achieving their goals – and National Youth Week is a great way for young people to do this.
National Youth Week is a joint initiative of the Australian, state, territory and local governments and has run annually since 2000.
To find out more information about National Youth Week, enter a competition or find an event near you visit www.youthweek.com.