Big future lies ahead for Elahi
She may have graduated from Marsden High School just last year, but Elahi Elahi, of Marsden, already has a list of achievements that would be the envy of many people 20 years her senior.
She’s an active member of the Logan Youth Action Group, advisory councils and Make it 16 – an advocacy group campaigning to lower the voting age to 16. She’s also a facilitator for the Youth UN, is juggling work and studying for a Bachelor of Education and – since the start of this year – has been part of Queensland Youth Parliament.
Elahi says being busy energises her, and the experience of being part of the Youth Parliament has been challenging and enjoyable, bringing with it new friendships from the 93 youth members, and the opportunity to learn from women who inspire her.
‘We are the kids that always followed the rules. We are all supportive while still being quite competitive by nature, and just a big group of nerds really,’ she says.
‘There’s no backstabbing. When we talk about our interests, instead of being mocked, which many of us might have experienced at school, we often find we all have these things in common.
‘It’s very busy and we learn a lot – I have never had impostor syndrome until I was part of Youth Parliament – and I have formed some amazing relationships, not just with the 93 members but with the executives and the youth governor.’
Queensland Youth Parliament mimics the state’s parliamentary system. Elahi represents Woodridge and holds the portfolio for Health, Emergency Services, and Aged Care. Members are involved in creating bills, which can then be debated and implemented in the actual parliament.
There is also a range of activities, including a camp launch weekend, meetings at parliament, online meetings, and a September sitting week.
Elahi’s drive, curiosity and desire to make a difference began at an early age. From the time she was in Year 7, she had her eye on the title of School Captain at Marsden, which she eventually achieved.
She credits a range of inspirational mentors in her own life, and being in the public eye, with inspiring her to aim high, be the change, and work hard.
‘Coming from a home with a single mum and an all-women household has impacted me – I was always taught to strive, and never saw myself as being anything less than a male,’ she says.
‘I’ve just always wanted to create change.
‘I look at people like Julia Gillard, Jacinda Ardern, and Michelle Obama and feel really inspired by the things they have done and the changes they have made in their lives.
‘I also have mentors in my own life who have worked with me through Year 12 and up to now – Rene Janssen and Nic Waugh of Commonwealth Bank and Kylie Steinhardt from Marsden State High School. Now, I have also had the chance to speak to MPs like Meagan Scanlon, Leeanne Enoch and Shannon Fentiman, who are all amazing too.
‘I have a really strong sense that I don’t want to be someone who watches the news and says “someone should change that” – I want to say “I can change that”.
‘I think the only way to get real happiness is to help others and drive change.’
In the future, Elahi aspires to be the Youth Governess of Queensland or organise the Youth Parliament, before going on to become a diplomat or MP and then right to the top – aiming for Prime Minister.
For more information about Queensland’s Youth Parliament, go to Queensland Youth Parliament – YMCA Brisbane.
