1997 School Magazine

®irlli ®rammar ~cbool 1/ilrilibane 1997 ----------

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Getting Out, Getting Up and Having a Say

S tudents from the Social Studies Faculty (comprising students of Economics, Geography, Study of Religion, Ancient and Modern History) had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities outside the school this year. These included:

• THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION in Brisbane and later in Canberra ; • STUDENT COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING in Brisbane; • UNAA Queensland State Youth Conference at Coolum Beach • UNDER OUR SKIN SEMINAR FOR SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS held at Deakin University, Geelong • GEOGRAPHY EXCURSIONS

The Second National Schools Constitutional Convention

W ith constitutional change and racial discrimination being two issues currently preoccupying our nation, it was a valuable opportunity to be involved in discussion of future directions for Australia in regard to these. Emma Prior and I represented BGGS at the Regional Convention held in the Queensland Parliamenta1y Annex in Februa1y.

However, it was not all listening. The delegates had to meet each day at Parliament House to discuss the two important issues of whether we need constitutional guarantees against racial discrimmination, and whether Australia should become a Republic and if so, the form it should take. On the first issue the

convention resolved by a large majority that s25 of our Constitu- tion should be replaced, and discussed a range of other wa ys to deal with racial discrimina- tion, outside the Constitution. It was also resolved by a majorit y that Australia should become a Republic, and that the selection of a Head of State should be by a two-thirds majority of each of the two Houses of the Common- wealth Parliament. The convention showed how young Australians are interested in understanding and evaluating their own system ofGovernment and can debate in an open and tolerant manner the difficult is- sues confronting us as a nation .

Being elected as one of the State representatives for the Na- tional Convention in Canb~rra meant that I spent three full and memorable days in Canberra with delegates from every State in Aus- tralia. It was wonderful spending an afternoon at Yarralumla, hav- ing afternoon tea there and talk- ing informally with the Governor- General , SirWilliam Deane. There were also opportunities to talk with many members of Parlia- ment, including Cheryl Kernot, Senator O'Chee and even Pauline Hanson. We attended question time, and had dinner at the High Court of Australia with the South

Governor General Sir William. Deane and Suzi Black.

African High Commissioner being the guest speaker. We listened to a range of views on the Constitution from people other than politicians, including Father Frank Brennan, Sir David Smith, Professor Markwell and Ms Gladys Berejiklian.

SUZI BLACK

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