Layneisha Sgro.
Camera IconLayneisha Sgro. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

Student’s summer trip

Staff ReporterWestern Suburbs Weekly

The 15-year-old was the only WA girl appointed by the Australian Government to be part of the National Planning Group for National Youth Week as a young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative.

‘It seemed like a fun idea to represent indigenous people in something that included young people,’ Layneisha said.

‘The reason people don’t like asylum seekers and refugees is because they believe the myths.’

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During a two-day visit to Canberra in July, Layneisha and about 50 other young people discussed ways to communicate issues to Australia’s youth such as suicide prevention, climate change and acknowledging Aboriginals in the constitution.

Layneisha said promoting indigenous issues was also a topic close to her heart because it was a big part of her.

‘We are one of the oldest cultures in the world, even though we’re not as connected as we once were,’ she said.

‘I want people to get a higher education. University statistics for indigenous people is low. I want to be one of those people who encourage others to go to university.’

In December, Layneisha will be one of 20 indigenous students from around Australia to participate in the Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science in Adelaide.