Guiding hand for rural students to help bush renewal
The resurgence of rural and regional communities is in the hands of young people, and one young Australian hopes to show them a way forward.
Annabelle Hudson loved growing up in Young, Australia’s cherry capital, 100 miles from Canberra, surrounded by nature and sharing friendly banter with people from all corners of the tight-knit community.
But he says many people around him struggle to see their potential because distance and lack of resources cloud their vision for the future.
With no clear path ahead, his best friend dropped out of school in the 10th grade; but years later he continued his studies and found his passion.
“It’s so amazing to see her succeed now and what changed for her was her belief in herself,” Ms Hudson, now 24, told AAP.
“Giving a space or opportunity to develop the ability to know oneself and believe in oneself would be invaluable.”
The windy roads in her hometown inspired Ms Hudson to design a program to help rural and regional young people realize their potential.
In a program called True North, Year 10 students will receive help identifying their strengths and goals and channeling that knowledge into steps towards success.
Ms Hudson’s idea will soon become a reality, with the Country Education Trust making her the first Tim Fischer Fellow named after the former deputy prime minister in the Howard government.
Mr. Fischer’s widow knows Ms. Hudson will be amazed by his vision.
“Tim would be so excited,” Judy Brewer told AAP.
“He used to get very angry that people didn’t listen to the people in the country towns, that there were always solutions being imposed.
“Tim has always believed very strongly that rural and regional Australians are the best people to respond to their problems.”
He is equally excited about the project, which will start with $50,000 in financial support.
“I love that this is about young people because our communities are dying here,” Ms. Brewer said.
“We need the renewal of rural and regional Australia and this will only be possible when we provide people with the things they need to stay.
“They can go away for training, but then come home and share those skills.”
Ms Hudson left Young to study psychology at the University of NSW in Sydney.
But True North will not necessarily emphasize higher education in cities.
Apprenticeships, traineeships and other ways of working are all covered, he said, as different people will have different needs and aspirations.
Over the coming months, Ms. Hudson will work with regional and rural students to co-design and adapt the program.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to make change on a greater level than I could have ever imagined,” he said.
