Nicholas Simoes da Silva will take part in a national schools conference. Picture KIRK GILMOUR
As an aspiring parliamentarian, Nicholas Simoes da Silva tries to get involved in politics in any way he can, so was thrilled by the opportunity to help draft a change to the Australian constitution.
The Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts school captain is one of 124 Australian students who will take part in this year's National Schools' Constitutional Convention in Canberra next week.
More than 4000 students applied to the convention, which will allows students to work on a current constitutional issue.
This year students will explore how to change the constitution's references to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Last month the Federal Parliament unanimously passed an Act of Recognition to pave the way for this constitutional change in the future.
Over three days, students will work in "policy groups" to change certain sections of the constitution, and the sections are then voted on at the end.
Nicholas has no doubt the changes will pass among the youth delegates.
"It's about acknowledging that Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are just as Australian as anyone else," the 17-year-old said.
"The fact that they are not even referenced in the constitution is astounding and it's unbelievable that it's even taken this long."
Nicholas attended the NSW constitutional convention late last year, where students explored how to change the Australian constitution to make it a republic.
He was one of 30 students from the state chosen to go on to the national event.
Nicholas has been involved in his school's student council for 3 ½ years and says the convention will help further his political aspirations.
"I really want to get into politics, so I just try to get involved in everything to do with the community that I can," he said.
"My key goal is to get more young people involved with politics because they seem to be not that involved these days."