High school students present compelling social justice ideas as part of UC and CUC SPEAK UP program

Elly Mackay

24 April 2025: A group of impressive regional high school students have presented their ideas on a range of thought-provoking topics – including the cost-of-living impact on rural education – as part of a program run by the University of Canberra in partnership with the Country Universities Centre (CUC).

The SPEAK UP Leadership and Public Speaking program has been running since February, and is a dynamic leadership and public speaking initiative designed for young people aged 16-18 in the Snowy Monaro region.

Participants were each assigned a mentor, who, throughout the course of the program, provided advice and prepared the students for the public speaking event, held today at the Cooma Little Theatre.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Professor Michelle Lincoln, attended the event, and said the students’ presentations were incredibly thought-provoking.

“While listening to the presentations from the SPEAK UP program participants today, I had to keep reminding myself that these students are teenagers,” Professor Lincoln said.

“Their ideas and thoughts, and how they articulated them, were at a level I would expect to see from university students. It’s reflective of how much they have all learnt from participating in the program and the potential they have to make a positive change in their futures and for their communities.”

Participants in the program were provided with resources and support to grow their leadership and public speaking skills, and given a platform to share their ideas, values, and passions in a contemporary way.

St Mary MacKillop College student Kaitlyn Bosco said the program has made a notable difference in her confidence and public speaking clarity.

“I stutter and I’m not a good public speaker, so I really wanted to improve my speaking skills,” Ms Bosco said.

“Since joining the program, I don’t get nervous anymore.”

Ms Bosco, who lives in Cooma, chose to speak on ‘Mental Health Support in Schools’ – prompted by the experiences of many of her friends, who have struggled with poor mental health.

“I find that many of the mental health support programs that come to schools just come, talk about it, and then they’re gone, and you can’t access any of the information anymore,” she said.

“Having supports in rural areas where people can come and talk is important – we can’t just forget about rural kids.”

To be eligible for the program, students must reside in the Snowy Monaro region.

“This program is just one example of many where the University is actively engaged in regional areas to support communities where it’s needed most and to inspire and encourage people to consider higher education as part of their future,” Professor Lincoln said.

Mentors for 2025 included The Honourable Steve Whan MP, The Honourable Bronnie Taylor, Cooma Mayor Chris Hanna, CUC Snowy Monaro Board Director and Snowy Monaro Regional Council Councillor Narelle Davis, Dr Charlie Massie, Richard Swain, and TedX Canberra coach Bradley Roche.

Mentors attended five workshops and the final presentations with participants, and provided local connections and networking opportunities to their mentee.

The University of Canberra runs several programs in the region, including UC Prep, and Aspire UC, in collaboration with local partners such as Snowy Hydro, TAFE NSW, and the CUC.

The SPEAK UP program will continue to run in the Snowy region, and expand into other regional communities from 2026.