I'm truly honored to share my story with you today.
When I was 16 years old, I found myself in a situation no young person should ever face: homeless and scared, fleeing an environment of violence. It was not the first time I was homeless in my childhood, but it was the first time I was alone. Despite these challenges, I was fiercely determined to continue my education, knowing that it was my path to a better future and often the only path to a better future for young people in my situation.
But when my application for emergency funding and Youth Allowance was rejected by Centrelink, it felt like the odds were impossibly stacked against me.
Working four or five nights a week at a restaurant after school while studying full-time was simply unsustainable. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and beginning to lose hope that I could ever escape the cycle of trauma I grew up in. That's when I was introduced to the Welfare Rights Centre.
The principal solicitor there not only helped me navigate the complexities of the Centrelink appeal process, but they also gave me a sense of dignity and hope when I needed it most. It was one of the first times an adult in the room listened to me, believe me and said "What has happened to you, is not OK".
Ultimately, the Welfare Rights Centre took my case to what was then the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. I remember the fear of not being believed—a fear that many who have faced domestic violence know all too well. But thanks to the Welfare Rights Centre, I had an advocate who presented my case compellingly. The Tribunal overturned Centrelink's decision, granting me the Youth Allowance I so desperately needed.
This support was a lifeline, enabling me to focus on my studies and ultimately changing the course of my life. But life threw another curveball. Shortly after this win, I met my biological mother for the first time and she was terminally ill. The emotional strain, combined with everything else I had been through was just too much, and led to me dropping out of high school. It felt like another dream slipping away.
But, with the backbone of social security supporting me, I found a way forward. I moved to the city, completed an accelerated TAFE course in journalism, and gained entry into law school alongside my high school peers.
This path was only possible because I had the safety net of social security, ensuring I could afford rent and basic necessities.
The Welfare Rights Centre's dedication didn't just help me survive those challenging times; experiencing the transformative impact that one solicitor had on my life inspired me to pursue a career in law. I wanted to be part of a profession that makes such a tangible difference in people's lives. I am very proud to say that I graduated from UTS with a Bachelor of Communications and Bachelor of Laws with first class honours.
My journey is a testament to the critical role of social security in our society and the unwavering support of community legal centres like the Welfare Rights Centre. They meet their clients at the precipice of crisis, offering a hand to help them climb back up rather than fall into the abyss. Their work truly changes the lives of their clients, just as it changed mine.
Imagine, if you will, a single stone cast into the center of a calm, still pond. It sends ripples outward, touching every corner of the water. This simple act transforms the entire pond, much like how a single act of support can transform an entire life.
For me, the Welfare Rights Centre was that stone. Each case they take on, each person they help, creates ripples—positive impacts that continue outward, changing lives, families, and entire communities.
Tonight, I express my deepest gratitude to the Welfare Rights Centre. To the dedicated staff who passionately fight for justice, to the leadership team and board who steer this vital organisation and to the generosity of partners, donors and members who make this work possible—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Your support ensures that when someone is standing on the edge, there is a hand to guide them back to safety and a community that believes in their potential. Together, you are changing lives.
Thank you very much for your time.
Read our CEO Katherine Boyle's speech from the same event
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