Cobram Anglican Grammar School's Abigail Brooker has been named its 2024 rural ambassador.
The Rural Youth Ambassadors program is run by the Country Education Partnership, a non-profit organisation that seeks to support high-quality education within rural and remote communities across Victoria.
The program is designed to provide young people in those communities the opportunity to develop leadership skills, promote youth agency, and improve student life and learning opportunities and outcomes.
Abigail, who is currently in Year 11, said she was very proud of being chosen to represent the school and hopes to be a voice for her community.
"I like knowing that I'm making a difference for the younger kids," Abigail said.
She said she wanted the role as it was a way for her to gain new experiences and network with like-minded people her age.
“I wanted to meet new people, learn new things and broaden my horizons,” she said.
She also said she wanted to raise awareness about the importance of supporting rural schools, noting the disparity in opportunities between students in rural settings compared to her metropolitan counterparts.
Abigail and her fellow ambassadors will be participating in a three-day forum later this year in Melbourne.
She said her parents were incredibly proud of her selection and that the school's support has been invaluable.
“They helped with the application," she said.
"(As well as) working out transportation down to Melbourne and what’s going to happen when we’re there.”