Every year just over a hundred senior secondary students from across Australia gather in Canberra for the National Schools Constitutional Convention. The five Tasmanian delegates are chosen on their performance in a state-wide essay writing competition.

This year, Zoe Chipman’s essay was chosen as one of the five best. Unfortunately, because the Convention could not be held in Canberra, eleven hubs were established across the country in a giant, two day Zoom meeting. Every delegate was encouraged to participate both in their hub groups, as well as on the wider stage.

The five Tasmanian students gathered at Lenna in Battery Point to discuss the need for a new preamble to the Constitution, to construct the wording of one and subsequently vote on whether it should replace the current one. The convention is an exercise in collaboration, deep thinking about an aspect of the Constitution and a chance for students across the nation to argue a case and participate in the democratic processes of Australian democracy.

The day before the Tasmanian election was called, the students attended Question Time in the House of Assembly during which the Premier was asked a question which allowed him to list the achievements of his government and plans for the future. We were not surprised an election was called the next day.

Zoe found the experience intellectually stimulating and it gave her the chance to mix with like minded students from across Australia.

Pictured: Zoe & Bron Sidebottom