A GOOD leader is someone who listens to the people they are elected to represent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That was the advice Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters had for students during a visit to Eaglehawk North Primary School this week.
Ms Chesters participated in the school assembly and presented junior school councillors with their badges before speaking to Grade 6 students about her role in Parliament.
"The last time I was at Eaglehawk North Primary School was on election day," she said.
"It was the very first school I handed out how to votes at so it's wonderful to go back after being elected."
Ms Chesters said visiting Bendigo's schools and engaging with young people was one of her favourite things about being a leader.
"It's actually one of the best parts of this job," she said.
"It's fantastic to have the opportunity to engage with young people on what the role of government is and how it is a democratic institution and how one day they'll get to vote.
"I tell the story about how I was on school council and how now I'm the Federal Member so I say to all the councillors so you could be next.
"It starts in those early years, the value of leadership."
Ms Chesters identified similarities between the junior school councillor positions and her role.
"Their role is to listen to the students and to represent their views and that's what I do in Canberra - listen to my community here in Bendigo and represent their views in Parliament," she said.
"Then I had a Q and A session with the Year 6.
"They had some fantastic questions that really put me on the spot.
"Everything from how much do I get paid to what's it like in Parliament House to questions about the role of the speaker.
"I asked them what would they like me to ask the Prime Minister for and some said less homework others said more sport in school. We also talked about what it means to be in the Opposition."
"It was a great visit."