Student leaders from Nowra, Shoalhaven, Bomaderry, Kiama and Ulladulla high schools, St John’s High School and Nowra Anglican College were invited to join Mrs Sudmalis in her Berry Street, Nowra office for afternoon tea to talk about what it meant to be a leader.

Mrs Sudmalis said the event was a great opportunity to talk with young people whose aims were to make a difference.

“It was interesting to hear their feedback and for them to learn there is more to community representatives than they may have thought,” she said.

“They have the opportunity to ask me all kinds of questions.

“I’ve told these students that once they become a leader, they would always be a leader in everything they do.”

Bomaderry High School captain Caitlin O’Connor said she learnt leadership was about give and take.

Nowra High School captain Rhianna Tuckerman said she learnt there was another side to politics that could be pursued later in someone’s career.

“It wasn’t a direct pathway for me. I had no plan early on to do what I am doing now, but that’s not to say you can never do it,” Mrs Sudmalis said.

St John’s High School vice-captain Louise Green said she learnt a true leader was always active within their community, working on major issues, regardless of what people thought.

Nowra Anglican College captain Daniel Hockey took home a lesson from the meeting.

“It’s a good lesson to be well informed on what is going on under your leadership so you are fully across everything.”