Tanya Davies MP, Member for Badgerys Creek, has hosted the largest ever Badgerys Creek Senior School Leadership Forum in NSW Parliament House.
A total of 72 students and teachers from 11 schools across the Badgerys Creek electorate attended the annual forum held on Thursday, May 14th 2026.
The students enjoyed a tour of NSW Parliament House including a very rare opportunity to sit on the benches of the Legislative Council and receive a brief history on the parliament from the attendant. Special guest speakers who shared their backgrounds before politics and what they hope to achieve as Members of Parliament included Kellie Sloane MP, Leader of the Opposition; the Honourable Paul Toole MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads; and the Honourable Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC.
In what was a first for the majority in the group, the students watched a rowdy Question Time from the Legislative Assembly gallery. Their presence in the gallery at one point drawing the attention of a Labor Minister who attempted to engage the students in debate, which was against the rules of question time. This prompted the Speaker to issue a warning to the Minister.
“I thought the way people bicker at school in debates was bad, that was intense,” said Thomas Grima, Year 11 Student at St Clair High School.
“I wasn’t aware of the Speaker’s role. He has a very, very cool looking job,” he said.
Mrs Davies has been hosting the forum since being elected to parliament in 2011 and says it’s a great opportunity for students to gain insight into how Parliament runs, learn about the qualities of a good leader, and challenge their perceptions of politicians.
“The leadership forum is a highlight of my year as a local member. I am always so impressed by the questions asked by the students and thrilled when, at the end of the day, some students’ minds have been opened up to a possible career in public service,” Mrs Davies said.
Mamre Anglican School Captain and talented soccer player Taro Wafawarova said the experience has inspired him to think of entering politics.
“Coming into today I thought there was no way I could do politics but after watching inside the house it really inspired me and I am actually considering it as a career path.”
“The passion that people have not only for their jobs but their communities, I kind of love that and I want to be a part of it,” he said.
For the young women from Caroline Chisolm, they were grateful to hear about the impact the women in the Parliament are having.
“It was empowering as a young woman to see the change that Tanya Davies is achieving for the community,” said Year 11 student Ninaveh Selwa.
Madeline Piggott, also of Caroline Chisholm said: “We’re really grateful for this opportunity and I think that it’s really empowering for women our age to see someone in Parliament and be able to talk to them.”
Oran Park High School Prefect Afra Butt says the experience has changed her perception about politics.
“It was an eye-opening experience, really getting on the inside of state politics. It’s not as easy as it looks on social media. I am appreciative of state politics now,”Miss Butt said.
To mark the occasion, the large group gathered on the front steps of NSW Parliament House with Mrs Davies for a photo.