Susanna Freymark
One day, it’s likely you’ll see Ruby Beckenham on the floor of parliament arguing for a bill and representing her community.
At 18, Ruby had a taste of real life politics when she was one of 90 students selected to ‘practice’ parliament on July 14–17.
Students from each electorate in NSW were chosen to take part in playing government for the day as part of the Youth Parliament program.
The students were divided into groups and had to come up with a bill and then present and argue for it at Parliament House in Sydney.
Ruby goes to Casino High School and lives at Piora.
She is a youth trainee at Richmond Valley Council, a presenter at COW FM and is on the steering committee for the Casino RSM Youth Hub in Walker Street.
She’s extra busy in her HSC year but going to Parliament House was a thrill – especially for Ruby who has political ambitions.
“Parliament House is genuinely aesthetically beautiful,” Ruby said about the historic building in Sydney.
Learning to write an environmental bill with a group of students was hard, fun and exhausting, she said.
She learned a lot.
“I learnt how to deal with things tactfully and refine my communication skills,” Ruby said.
“I learned it’s okay to be wrong. There’s not always a yes or no answer. Not everything is black and white.”
They are useful lessons for someone with political ambitions.
“The part of politics I like is the connection with the public,” she said.
“When I’m older I want to be an MP.”
Ruby said she admires MP Richie Williamson.
“I’ve spent time with him at community events. He inspires me, he is a genuine guy who wants the best for us,” she said.
Ruby said she is not affiliated with one party or another.
Her passion is equality in rural areas.
“I haven’t had enough world experience yet,” she said.
She does know she’d like to see real change in how politics operates.
“We need to slow it down a bit and have some simplicity,” she said.
She wants to see more honesty, kindness and humility in the world.
If you’d like to apply to be part of Youth Parliament House find out more here.
Listen to Ruby’s show Music My Way on COW FM every second Sunday at 9.30am–11.30am. The next show is on August 16.