From Flower Day to the United Nation Headquarters

On October 21, 2025, exactly four years after my own Penrhos College Flower Day, I found myself sitting in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, watching international law be made, a position I never could have imagined myself in back in Year 12. I was there as part of the prestigious Global Voices Fellowship, which selects young Australians to travel to an international delegation to engage directly with global discussions and policy.

how did it all start?

I graduated from Penrhos in 2021 and due to the lingering of Western Australia’s COVID border restrictions, went straight to university in 2022. I began at Curtin University, studying a double degree in Law and Arts (International Relations). My decision to pursue this degree was heavily influenced by my ATAR studies of Politics and Law and Modern History, as well as the incredible Penrhos teachers I had for these subjects.

Ghent summer law program

In 2024, I travelled to Belgium as part of Curtin Law School’s Curtin @ Ghent Summer Law Program. During the program, I studied European Union Law, examining frameworks governing the EU, Supranational Law (a form of international law) and the collaboration of member states. As part of this program, I also visited the European Commission in Brussels and a number of historic Australia WWI sites such as Flanders, Ypres and Fromelles.

While in Belgium, I also had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2024 Paris Olympics where I watched the Australian women’s hockey team fight for their place in the Olympic finals, another experience I had never imagined would be part of my university journey.

Perth us consulate

In 2025 I was selected for an internship at the Perth US Consulate, where I worked as a Public Engagement Intern, being exposed to diplomacy, international relations and policy in practice. Subsequently, as I have progressed through my degree and these practical experiences, I have found myself increasingly drawn to international law. 

Throughout my time at Curtin and leading up to my final year now, I have worked hard to immerse myself in every opportunity related to my degree.

how did i get to be sitting in the united nations?

In June 2025, I was selected as one of six young Australians for the Global Voices Fellowship. This three-part fellowship offers those selected the opportunity to attend an international delegation, along with a pre-departure briefing in Canberra. I was selected for the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee Delegation, the primary forum for the discussion and development of international law.

A look inside the un and new york

Inside the UN, I was granted access to rooms most people would never have the opportunity to enter, including the 6th Committee (where crimes against humanity and state responsibilities were discussed), the 1st Committee (where nuclear disarmament and international security were discussed) and the General Assembly, where I was fortunate enough to hear UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speak. In these meetings it was particularly interesting to hear member states exercise their right of reply when their policy or position was criticised by others. I also found myself in awe of the official UN translators and their ability to immediately translate complex legal language into the six official UN languages in real time.

While in New York I also engaged in a number of insightful bilateral meetings relevant to the UN, engaging with organisations such as the United Nations Youth Office, the UN Permanent Mission to Australia, and the UN Office of Legal Affairs Codification Division, among others. I especially enjoyed learning about the process of drafting international obligations and how this connects to typical domestic law principles.

Outside of New York, I have also had the chance to meet with former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Michael Kirby, and International Court of Justice Judge, Hillary Charlesworth. Learning from individuals working in these roles was incredibly inspiring, as was exploring the wide range of opportunities available in this field.  Overall, this was such an incredible experience that allowed me to see the creation of international law in real time and learn from leading professionals in this industry.  

A message to the students 

For current Penrhos students, my advice would be to take every opportunity to pursue the things you are interested in, whether you are at school or in university. While I have a lot of experience in international relations and international law now, I didn’t fully engage in relevant extracurriculars until my third year of university. Even if you do not yet know what career you want to pursue, make the most of the incredible opportunities Penrhos offers to explore your interests and discover what you are passionate about. Similarly, if you decide to go to university, start getting involved in opportunities related to your interests as early as possible to build your experience.