Recognising Calista Bowdler

15 February 2022

Ms JODIE HARRISON: Towards the end of last year I met an incredibly inspiring young woman, Calista Bowdler. At the time she was in year 8 at Hunter Sports High and learning through the Big Picture Program. Calista wanted to talk to me about the issue of child labour. Calista's long‑term goal is to start a charity aimed at tackling child labour around the world. Across the globe there are an estimated 85 million children working in a hazardous form of labour. So it is certainly going to be a big job for Calista. Calista and I discussed how we in New South Wales can help address the issue through legislation like the Modern Slavery Act and the work of organisations such as Be Slavery Free. I am looking forward to seeing what is next from Calista. I wish her all the very best in the establishment in the future of her charity to combat child labour. I acknowledge the fantastic work done by the teachers in the Big Picture Program, which has helped Calista and many other students flourish through individual learning programs.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!