Endorsement

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC

I am delighted to welcome you to The National Young Leaders Days. What a splendid concept, to bring together so many of our student leaders to share experiences with each other, and with leaders from across the community. You are meeting under a most apt symbol. The Foundation's choice of a modern halogen light in which the filament is both protected and provided with the conditions to burn hotter, longer and brighter, is a great image of the need to protect and nourish leadership. As you meet with community leaders who have generously come to share their wisdom with you, I am sure you will see that the Halogen Foundation also observes accurately that great leadership is not measured by fame and privilege but by commitment and passion and sacrifice. I like to think that, at their best, these qualities involve caring and respect, so that great leaders never take for granted those communities for whom they are providing leadership. Having been selected to join this year's forum, all of you have already shown an appreciation of the challenges and responsibilities of leadership, and I would like you to know how much I admire this. I wish you all the very best for a wonderful day. I hope you will all be inspired by the experience to continue taking leadership roles in your communities.