TWO weeks ago, Mansfield local Liam Wilson travelled to Canberra to participate in the Parliament Volunteer Program with Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, to learn more about networking and how the Australian political system operates.

The program is an initiative introduced by former independent MP for Indi, Cathy McGowan.

COVID interrupted the program for a few years, but it has been back in full force since 2023.

The program is open to individuals aged 18 years or older, living or working within Indi, and enables them to see firsthand how Helen works as their independent Member of Parliament.

One hundred and thirty-five volunteers have participated in the program over Helen’s two terms, and 48 participated this year.

Earlier this year, before studying abroad in Harvard’s Summer Program, Liam approached Helen and asked about different opportunities in politics, government, and Parliament, and she recommended the volunteer program.

“The trip was six days in total and the program ran from Monday to Thursday across a full sitting week at Parliament House,” Liam said.

During their week at Parliament, the volunteers attended events and meetings with Helen, observed Question Time, wrote speeches, and met Members and Senators from across the Parliament.

“Helen did a speech on the social media ban for people under the age of 16 and the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill,” Liam said.

Liam met ambassadors and a variety of people from around Australia and the world, including about ten Olympians, as well as former AFL players and news reporters.

“I met Kieren Perkins, who is one of Australia’s greatest male swimmers, Paris Olympics road cycling champion Grace Brown, and Australian Paralympic 100-metre T36 champion James Turner.

“I also had the chance to meet Ian Chesterman, who is the president of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Ben Brown, who played for Melbourne Football Club.

“I met my favourite ABC reporter Casey Briggs, who covered the US election.

“Charlie Pickering was there, ABC reporter and presenter Sarah Ferguson, Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia, and even Bluey.

“The only person I didn’t meet was the Prime Minister, but maybe another time.”

Helen said the program offers a fantastic opportunity for people in the community to get an immersive experience into how Parliament functions.

“Liam Wilson had a terrific week with us and really engaged in the opportunity,” she said.

“Our volunteers are an important part of the team during their week in Parliament.

“We ask our volunteers to stick to the Indi values, which they do so diligently, and the program has become very well-known and appreciated across the Parliament.”

Liam also had the opportunity to research his family history in the House of Representatives Office.

Liam’s grandfather, Ian Wilson, was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University studying law, and he later served as a Member of Parliament under a number of Prime Ministers.

“They printed off documents containing some of the first speeches my relatives delivered,” Liam said.

“One was in 1967, and one was in 1950.

“There was another speech in 1901, but they were unable to source it.”

Liam said the week helped him pinpoint roles and areas in politics that he might wish to pursue in the future.

“It certainly was a big week of learning and helped shape and develop my political understanding,” he said.

“It’s a fun week regardless of your political background or interests.

“It’s good to learn how Australia’s democracy works, and it might be something that sparks your interest further.”