University of Queensland graduand Jack Hill has been appointed Youth Governor of Queensland for 2020, working to amplify the voice of young people across the state.
The role was established by the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament to add weight to the voice of Queensland youth, connecting them with government and allowing them to advocate for action on key challenges.
Mr Hill is still getting used to his illustrious official title: His Excellency the Honourable Jack Hill, Youth Governor of Queensland.
"It's rather surreal - I'm always waiting for someone to tell me off for using it," he said.
"But the fact that there's a position like this open to youth in Queensland is great.
"It's a real connection to the state's parliament and parliamentarians, allowing me to speak proudly for, and with the youth of Queensland."
Mr Hill said he was excited to help push for change in the state's legislature.
"In a world where rapid and significant change seems to be the norm, amplifying the voices of the next generation has never been more important," he said.
"This position will allow me to strengthen and utilise connections with decision-makers, giving young people the confidence that their opinions matter, and that their passions and perspectives aren't falling on deaf ears."
The high achieving biology student wants to make sure his time in the role assists all young Queenslanders.
"I won't just represent those in the south east corner; in 2020 we're hoping to take a listening tour to regional and rural Queensland, to really capture the concerns and dreams of our peers in the bush," he said.
"We also plan on feeding those discussions, and more, into a Youth Manifesto ahead of the state election in October.
"It's a prime time to publish a summary of where Queensland's youth sit on the big issues."
Mr Hill said his studies in science at UQ were incredibly formative to his rising role in advocacy and policy-making.
"Studying science at UQ has helped me to understand, engage with and advocate for diverse issues," he said.
"Science is such an open forum of ideas - you can interrogate the literature, have some fresh thought and hypothesis, and then get the data to test it.
"Discussions are robust, evidence-backed, and issues-based, which is the kind of approach that's needed now more than ever in youth government and beyond.
"So let's apply that thinking and start making some ambitious policy alongside Queensland's engaged, intelligent, and driven youth."
Image above left: Chatting coral with high school students at UQ Experience Marine Science.
