Why did you start volunteering for Rosie?
I’m really interested in policy and how progressive policy and gender equality is going to change the world – and that has to begin with youth. It’s so important that policymaking isn’t something that’s kept behind closed doors and within intellectual circles but that it’s accessible to young people. It’s about them and their experiences and their futures and their input is important. I wanted to volunteer with Rosie to be part of planting that seed and engaging them in the issues they care about.
How does your work with Rosie support young women in their feminist journeys?
It’s about education. The most important thing we can do for ourselves is to read and engage to learn as much as possible about our role in society and what’s possible and how we can work to change things. And Rosie is so excellent for that because it’s such a one-stop-shop for young people to ask and ask and learn about feminist issues but also life stuff and just growing up.
What would you say to your younger self?
Breathe! I’d normalise making mistakes and stress that this is a process – you can’t be fully formed or some amazing all-knowing being. That we’re all continuously learning and growing and it’s completely okay to not have the answers or know what you want to do next or who you are. You don’t always have to have a goal in mind and be working for future you. To be comfortable in uncertainty and inexperience because you’ll learn it all when you’re not even realising it.
What are you vibing right now?
Deborah Frances-White has a new podcast called The New Normal and talks with comedians, activists and artists and friends about dealing with isolation. It’s funny and relatable and refreshing to listen to listen to people acknowledge how unreal this all is and just talk about what they’re doing to keep well and what they miss and what they’ll do when it’s all over. It’s perfect for those evening walks. The HighLow – a pop culture and news podcast by two journalists talking half very important (high brow) things and half absolute nonsense (low brow). I’m also listening to a lot of Missy Higgins which is beautiful and nostalgic and really annoying my housemates.
As told to Sophie Bliss, VWT Project Officer + Rosie Editor
Rosie is studying a Masters of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne and began volunteering for the Victorian Women’s Trust in February this year. She currently works on Rosie. She is interested in finding effective policy solutions to gender inequalities, freelance writing, running her book Instagram account and tending to her growing cactus collection. One day she wishes to change the world through progressive policy and find Melbourne’s best veggie burger.
Rosie (website) is full of great blog pieces by Rosie (person) on topics like diversity in Australian music, mental health and helping your community.
