Granville South High School Captain addresses

National Student Leadership Forum

Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare MP and Granville South School Captain, Issa

Jebara, today addressed the National Student Leadership Forum in Canberra.

The National Student Leadership Forum is an annual event which runs over four days. The

forum aims to foster leadership skills in the next generation of Australians.

Student leaders from around the country joined to share their experiences. The students

also heard from the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

Mr Clare nominated Issa to attend the forum in Canberra. Issa was also selected by the

Parliamentary Leadership Panel to deliver a speech on behalf of all the student participants.

Issa spoke about his experience and the importance of leadership and mateship following

this year's Sandakan Mateship Trek.

Issa has turned his life around. Four years ago he was placed at a special needs school for

students with behavioural issues.

He has come a long way since those days a few years ago. He came back to Granville

South High School a changed student. He is now school captain, a public school

ambassador and last week was named one of only 37 students to receive the 2011

Minister's Award for Excellence.

"Issa is a star, a natural leader and an inspiration for all of us. Everyone in the room was

captivated by his maturity and genuine passion," Mr Clare said.

Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School Principal Warren Finn said since

returning to the school, Issa has taken on a strong leadership role, particularly for other

young men.

"He is a walking, talking example of a young person taking ownership of their own

behaviour and leading by example," Mr Finn said.

"I want to keep making a difference, by sharing my experiences with young people," Issa

said.