A few weeks ago, AYCC’s leadership team of core volunteers gathered in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Ciara O’Riordan, member of AYCC Media Team and Camp Logistics Coordinator, reflects on how it went.
I’m trying not to panic. I haven’t packed, my ticket is AWOL, and my printer has decided to die in the middle of some very essential documents that I’ll need when I eventually get where I’m supposed to be going. I’m frantically running around trying to solve any or all of these problems when smoke begins to waft from the kitchen. Just another Thursday night at my place, really, except this Thursday night, I’m supposed to be leaving for four days on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula that I hope will turn me from ‘’Ciara O’Riordan: disaster zone’’ to ‘’Ciara O’Riordan: kick arse climate activist”.
Roughly an hour after burning my dinner, I take my (very uncomfortable) seat on the overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne. With 12 cold unforgiving hours ahead of me, and the faint taste of a charcoal stir fry lingering in my mouth, I settle in to reflect on what exactly I have got myself in to; 4 days on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in charge of the cooking and logistics at AYCC’s inaugural training camp .
I’ve never been an activist before, yet I somehow found myself not only attending but organising a training camp for the most inspiring youth climate leaders in Australia. Me, who could set cornflakes on fire! Me, whose idea of being organised is to be only 10 minutes late, instead of 20! Me, who couldn’t even make it on to the plane without losing her passport the last time she travelled (thankfully found where she had absentmindedly left it in the women’s bathroom)! For the next four days I’m supposed to be the go-to gal for 35 people of all ages from around Australia, coming together to gain the skills to lead the next stage of AYCC’s fight against climate change. I am convinced any one of them would be better qualified than me to fill my role. The chill running over me isn’t just from the blasting air-con – I am beginning to feel very, very worried.
Perhaps noticing my anxious face, the white-haired man next to me introduces himself as Keith and asks where I’m headed. As I unburden myself, his eyebrows climb his forehead with increasing alarm. “Well love,” he says exhaling heavily as I conclude, “I think the question you should be asking yourself is what those 35 kids have got themselves in for.” Thanks, Keith.
What a difference a day makes. Having arrived at Southern Cross station and meeting the rest of the AYCCers travelling down by public transport, we had settled in at the Bayplay Lodge, unpacked and taken a quick swim at the beautiful beach just 500 metres away. I already feel a world away from the sleep deprived, fretful person on the train.
We sit ourselves in a circle to make introductions. One by one we share our names and something we care about. Everyone has a different story, but they all share a clear vision of better future and a determination to make it a reality. I decide that honesty is the best policy and tell the group that I haven’t been involved in much activism before, but I joined AYCC because I no longer wanted to feel powerless to have an impact on my world; my hope for the weekend is to come away feeling equipped with the skills to do what activists do best – take action! By the end it’s very clear that there is enough passion, potential and smarts in this little lodge to take on anything, but there is only one BIG ISSUE in our collective sights – climate change.
It is also immediately clear that this is a group of friends, though many of us are meeting face-to-face for the first time. Throughout all the workshops, people encourage and support each other. Laughter is always coming from somewhere, and there are more hugs than Oprah would know what to do with. It’s the best possible environment in which to learn.
The workshops, led by AYCC’s senior members, cover everything from leadership styles, to project management, campaign strategy and personal narrative. Things really get cracking on the third day when we divide into groups to work on AYCC’s projects for the year, including Climate Reality Week and the upcoming federal election. There is practically electricity in the air as people realise that they are integral to the creation, planning and execution of the 2010 strategy for Australia’s largest youth coalition.
Another highlight is 2 hours spent picking the brain of Simon Sheikh, who is National Director of Get Up!, a 300,000 member strong grass-roots community advocacy organisation. His conversation ranges over the domestic political landscape as if he’s a tour guide for a bus load of eager activist-sightseers; to your left you’ll see the divides in the Australian environmental movement, to your right the lobbying power of industry and business. Just ahead of you, a possible Emission Trading Scheme, but mind your step over the double dissolution election just here.
As the camp comes to a close on Monday afternoon, everyone feels excited to throw themselves into the work that lies ahead. When AYCC’s co-founders, Anna, Ellen and Amanda, look around the room one last time they tell us that they too look forward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with such committed, intelligent and passionate young people in the months ahead. For my part I feel very lucky to be counted among them.
