What have the students learnt about Australias democratic system?
Students have witnessed first-hand the democratic process through the development and response to their community survey, participation in one of the youth forums and subsequent community forums, and in their own involvement in community service projects. In conducting the survey, local interest in the project rapidly developed. Many in the community were surprised by the professionalism of the document and the genuine interest shown by the students when they sought to interview members of the public. Though the town council was, at first, sceptical about the nature of the project, they did not turn down any invitation to visit the school and to speak with the students. Over time this relationship developed into a partnership with the students having their ideas accepted and council staff identifying the students as a ‘sounding board’ for possible initiatives. Many of the students became aware that they were in fact being taken seriously and that ideas developed were being further expl
