HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-03 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

The Power of Her

Mrs PEARCE (King) (15:22): If we want to see real, lasting change in women's and girls' participation in sport, it is important that we listen to and work with young people to help build this future. It is why I am proud to stand here to shine a light on the youth panel that is currently helping to drive the Power of Her task force. These leaders are not waiting around for someone to hand them permission to speak: they are already making waves in sport, in community leadership, in advocacy and in business. The Power of Her task force is about recognising that power, backing it and building a better future with them, not just for them.

I would like to introduce to this place some of the brilliant people who are on the panel. First up, we have Layan Saadeh. She is a swimming and surf instructor, a football player and a second-year law and art student, and somehow she also finds the time to work in sport development. She has already been named Young South Australian of the Year, and honestly, I am not surprised. Layan is the kind of person who does not just turn up: she leads. Then there is Elizabeth Taban. She is a soccer player and an all-round force of nature. Her background spans sport, finance, mentoring, coaching and event management. She knows how to bring people together, challenge the status quo and lead with both strength and heart.

Sallee Shepherd brings a different kind of leadership. She is from Tailem Bend and has already been Mayor of the Murray Bridge Youth Council. She has run her own cupcake business, has been part of the Coorong Connection Youth Network and was awarded the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award. Sallee is proof that regional youth leaders are just as powerful, capable and community driven as anyone in the big city.

Then there is Andriana Petrakis, currently ranked number five in the world and number two in Australia in her chosen sport of tennis. She works at One Culture coaching pickleball, she has taken on public speaking roles, and she recently won the very first Power of Her Emerging Leader Award. Among other honours, Andriana is breaking boundaries and setting new standards every day, specifically in the space of creating more inclusive opportunities in our state through sport. Now on to Akon Baak. She is a taekwondo Australian representative and a former national high jump champion, all while still attending school. Akon is an elite athlete and a SASI participant, and she brings the kind of quiet determination and focus that inspires everybody around her.

Finally, we have Tara Vivar-Hayes. Tara brings with her a strong foundation of leadership and service. She is an under-16 surf lifesaving gold medallist on a state level and a mentor to young nippers, showing that commitment to both her community and personal excellence. Beyond the beach, Tara is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal education at Warriappendi Secondary School. Her voice is strong, it is thoughtful and it is impactful—qualities that have earned her the 2024 Children's Week Award.

Now imagine what it means to have this group of young people sitting at the table shaping the direction of gender equity work around South Australia. It is not just symbolic, it is game changing. These young leaders are from different parts of the state, different cultural backgrounds, different areas of expertise, and that is what makes this panel so powerful, because equity does not look the same for everyone. We need to hear from people with lived experience, people who understand the gaps, the barriers and the opportunities because they have lived them.

As a politician, yes, as one of the adults in the room, I see my role as helping clear the path, not controlling the process, not owning the spotlight, but making sure these voices are heard, respected and acted on. So today I want to thank Layan, Elizabeth, Sallee, Andriana, Akon and Tara, not just for being part of this panel, but for showing us what is possible when young people are given the trust and the space to lead. And to everyone else, whether you are a teacher, a coach, a parent, a policymaker, I encourage you to get behind this panel, not just with applause but with action. The Power of Her is real, it is happening and, with this group leading the way, the future is looking extremely bright.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT