Grace Mulley is a Year 12 student at Corpus Christi College in Oak Flats who is making her mark in the Illawarra community.
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Miss Mulley is the Zonta Club of Wollongong’s Young Woman in Public Affairs winner for 2018.
Judge Jane Pretty described her as an outstanding role model who was recognised by Zonta because of her strong sense of social justice, involvement in many volunteer programs and leadership inside and outside school.
Service is one of Miss Mulley’s great loves. She said doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award was one of the things that pushed her more out into the community and she loves it.
“I volunteer weekly at Riding for the Disabled in Jamberoo,” she said.
“I really love that. I have a passion for horses. I help maintain the property and the horses there as well as run lessons with young children which is really exciting.”
Ms Mulley has been on the Student Representative Council at Corpus Christi for four years and is involved in running events for World Harmony Day, Refugee Week, Oxfam’s Close the Gap and National Sorry Day.
Last year Ms Mulley and some other senior students put in a petition for girls to be able to wear long pants to school as another option to skirts and stockings.
“That has been changed which was really exciting to see,” she said.
On International Women’s Day Miss Mulley was recognised for a speech she presented inspired by Emma Watson and her UN speech in 2014 on gender equality. The “if not me who, if not now when” theme has been a major motivational driver for her as a young woman.
Miss Mulley has frequently visited Warrigal’s facility in Albion Park to hang-out with residents. “I did activities with them and got to know them. A Polish couple who I became quite close with are still a part of my life. You learn a lot from people from an older generation.“ She said she was lucky to attand a school that encourages youth to take on leadership roles. “I find it really enjoyable to be around others and be able to make a difference in sombody else’s life”.
“I am on ordinary teenager but I have always aspired to do something the makes a difference to others. I have found that building my leadership skills and gaining more confidence in approaching people has helped me take more steps.”
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Ms Mulley is passionate about many issues and is keen to address things such as violence against women and doing more to open up opportunities for people with disabilities.
She is presently completing an application to join the Australian Defence Force.
“I am looking at going into aviation engineering,” she said.
“It is a technical trade. It is not one pin-pointed at women but I think it is good to break down the barriers a little.”
Miss Mulley said she was surprised to win the award because she already knew some of the candidates and thought they were all very deserving winners.
“I am really grateful for all the support I have had,” she said.
“My mum was there along with my teachers. And Macinley Butson who was one of the guest speakers was absolutely brilliant. I totally admire her speaking skills. She is so confident and has done so much and is the same age as me. It was so nice to meet her and have a good chat to Macinley.”
Miss Mulley said he mother Jill Farrell was a great inspiration.
Ms Farrell works for Barnado’s and has long supported other charities and not-for-pofit organisations such as Meals on Wheels.
“She is such a kind person and always helping others. I guess some of that has rubbed off on me.”
Miss Mulley said some teachers from over the years had also really inspired her.
Maria Ioannou pushed the Miss Mulley’s application for the Zonta award and helped her believe in herself. Another teacher Aaron McDonald has been a role model from a faith perspective.
Miss Mulley said it was so important to have older people make you realise you have something to offer and contribute.
“We see things from a different persective and have a different context. To have people interested to see what we have to offer and hearing the ideas that we have that they might not have thought of is a really great thing.”
Read more:
- Kiama High School year 12 student Grace Allen wins Zonta's Young Woman in Public Affairs Award
- Zonta recognises young women it sees as future female leaders
- TIGS student recognised by Zonta for International Women's Day
- TIGS school captain internationally recognised
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