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VCE Leaders

VCE Leaders 2023

Congratulations to Sienna Gladstone, who is the 2023 VCE Leader of the Year.

We also congratulate the 2023 finalists –Osama Akkad, Derrick Ch'ng, Kelly Gilbert, Jessica House, Hannah Lanfranchi, Jocelyn Seager and Ganika Shree – for their outstanding leadership achievements.

The 2023 VCE Leadership Awards ceremony was held at Treasury Theatre on Friday 8 September 2023. Thank you to our sponsor, Lenovo.

Find out more about the VCE Leadership Awards.

young woman smilingSienna Gladstone – Brauer College, Gunditjmara Country

I can lead from the back. Not every place is my place to speak - I take a lot of joy in finding people who do have the experience and giving them that opportunity to share their ideas.

Sienna worked with students across Australia to establish a National Student Voice Body while volunteering at a state level as an Executive Advisory Committee Member for VicSRC. She is the Ambassador Liaison for the Victorian Student Representative Council, a trained Affirmative Consent Peer Educator and Young Peer Group Facilitator through the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic). With YACVic, Sienna travels around the state to educate young people on running workshops, advocacy, and respectful relationships.

To support student wellbeing at her school, Sienna introduced an emotional support rabbit program. Her initiative was recognised with VicSRC's Student Led Project of the Year award. Sienna is a passionate and courageous leader who consistently advocates for consent education and mental health awareness.

young man smiling Osama Akkad – Al Siraat College, Wurundjeri Country

The most important thing is for a leader to be a role model – they need to be able to drive others.

Osama is an active participant in his community, engaging in many activities to provide support at both a local and global level. Osama organised the Earthquake Emergency Syria Drive campaign, collecting donated items to be distributed to Syrian communities in need. He also volunteers at a charitable food organisation that offers meals to the homeless at Queen Victoria Market on Sunday evenings.

At school, Osama has shown dedication to strengthening its culture through establishing a structured prayer program and tutoring sessions. Osama is a generous and altruistic leader truly committed to making positive social change.

young man smilingDerrick Ch'ng – Balwyn High School, Wurundjeri Country

There’s an expectation of what young people can do and I think once that expectation is broken, the sky’s the limit.

Recognising how new migrants need greater employment opportunities, Derrick founded a business called Start Inspiration to support pathways to TAFE. He has supported more than 150 students to find TAFE courses for their vocational training and initiated the Inspire100 program to create employment and educational opportunities for refugees.

Derrick has also been a VicSRC Executive Committee Member and a Youth Advisory Group Member for the Centre for Multicultural Youth. Derrick is a proactive self-starter, and enthusiastically advocates for equity.

young woman smilingKelly Gilbert – Frankston High School, Bunurong Country

I know that every young person has amazing ideas and contributions and they are highly capable of achieving amazing things.

In her role as School Captain, Kelly has empowered her peers to use their voice for positive change. She is a strong advocate for wellbeing, sharing resources and initiating the 'Anti-Bullying Week at Frankston High School' event. Kelly volunteers as the Content Contributor at the youth-led organisation Empowered Together, which runs workshops to educate students about consent.

Kelly is also an executive member of the 'Chill Out and Look About!' road safety campaign, which she launched alongside her peers in honour of a fellow student who tragically passed away following a road accident. The campaign has raised thousands of dollars, gained media attention and attracted support from local Members of Parliament, receiving the Frankston Community Event of the Year Award in 2021.

young woman smiling Jessica House – Mordialloc College, Bunurong Country

I’m proud that I’ve helped make sure Vocational Major students are involved in all events at school. I’ve stopped that divide.

Jessica is a trailblazer in the VCE Vocational Major program, championing the program within her school and community. In her role as Curriculum Captain, she developed the VCAL/VM section of the Mordialloc handbook and created a video to help prospective students understand different pathways and developmental opportunities. Jessica has worked with school leaders on policy development, curriculum revision and events to ensure the VCE VM program is better integrated, and the school environment is cohesive and inclusive.

Alongside her studies, Jessica helped coordinate the 'Clean Up Mordialloc Creek' event, undertakes work placement at a local childcare centre, and lobbies MPs and education leaders to consider the importance of different learning need adjustments.

young woman smiling Hannah Lanfranchi – Highview College, Dja Dja Wurrung Country

Success for yourself means nothing unless you help other people around you to succeed as well.

Hannah is a proactive leader, constantly leading by example in her role as School Captain and strengthening relationships between her school and wider community. In 2023, Hannah was named a Central Goldfields Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of the work she does for her town.

Hannah was also awarded the Queens Guide, the highest award in guiding for youth members. She is now a Ranger Guide who leads services including Clean Up Australia Day, Share the Dignity, and Red Cross calling appeals. She promotes volunteering to the community and was a panellist at the 2023 Volunteers Forum, providing a youth perspective on the benefits of volunteer work.

young woman smilingJocelyn Seager – Mount Waverley Secondary College, Wurundjeri Country

I lead in a way that pushes others to take the initiative for themselves.

As College Captain, Jocelyn helps run 'Mount Matters' sessions to develop student voice and school improvement. She has presented on the program at a conference for the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association focusing on democracy in schools. In 2023, Jocelyn was one of only 28 students selected for the National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra, making a submission to Parliament about the Indigenous Voice Referendum.

Jocelyn is a St John ambulance service volunteer, a Girl Guide Patrol leader, and a member of the Ashwood Advisory Committee. Through her solution-focused leadership, Jocelyn has coordinated fundraising efforts for recent bushfires and floods and advocated for youth health and harm reduction.

young woman smilingGanika Shree – Suzanne Cory High School, Bunurong Country

My motivation stems from my deep-seated belief in the power of community service and a desire to effect positive change.

Ganika is a One Girl Ambassador, campaigning for gender equality and empowering young women in the community. Dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and sharing the beauty of traditional music, Ganika conducts free Carnatic singing lessons for children.

Ganika has fundraised for multiple charities, including the Starlight Foundation and 40 Hour Famine, and is an Equal Ed tutor, empowering disadvantaged students and providing academic support. She is committed to making a difference in her school and the wider community. The local mayor recognised Ganika's contributions in awarding her an Exceptional Community Contribution Award.

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