Evie Inspires at Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry
We proudly celebrate Year 6 student Evie, who recently took centre stage at the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering. Evie is the first child to speak at a parliamentary inquiry in over 15 years – and at just 10 years of age – she is already making a significant impact, highlighting young people's crucial role in fostering a more compassionate and connected society.
Evie’s passion for volunteering was ignited in November 2024 through the All Hallows' School Mercy Action Program, where she participated in the Year 5 Learn by Heart session with commonkind, a community organisation dedicated to fostering kindness and inclusion. Since then, Evie has joined commonkind’s Child and Youth Advisory Group, where she contributes to ensuring that the voices of children and young people are embedded in the organisation’s strategy and decision-making.
Evie was honoured to be invited to speak at the Queensland Parliament as part of the Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee’s public hearing into volunteering. Sharing the stage with representatives from the Australian Red Cross, Queensland State Emergency Service, and Surf Life Saving Queensland, Evie delivered a heartfelt and articulate statement on the importance of inclusive volunteering and service learning.
“For me, the best part of volunteering is knowing I’m helping others in my community. It feels good to give back, and I also think it’s a great way to build skills that will help me when I’m older—at school, at work, and in life.”
Evie’s words reflect the spirit of our Mercy tradition and the transformative power of service learning. As Mrs Claire Easton, Dean of Mission, shares:
"We plant the seeds of volunteering and philanthropy, empowering our students to carry these values beyond the school context. The principles instilled by our Mercy Action program become integral to our students' lifelong learning, inspiring them to make a meaningful difference in the world through service."
All Hallows’ School is incredibly proud of Evie’s courage, leadership, and commitment to making a difference. To hear Evie’s inspiring words and see her in action, we invite you to view her speech and the official recording of the hearing: