Profiles of Previous Young Diplomats of the Year
Danielle Isdale
Journalist, Channel Ten News
Sydney
Young Diplomat of the Year 1997
Winning North Queensland's Young Diplomat of the Year gave me the
opportunity to travel to Canberra, to compete in the final. Visiting the
nation's capital, and delving into the world of federal politics and
foreign affairs - helped shape my future career path.
I developed my interest in politics further through my final years of high school, and
studied Economics at University in Brisbane. While studying, I began
working as a television reporter. I later moved to Canberra and joined
the National Press Gallery for Network Ten.
I now work in the Sydney newsroom and cover a broad range of stories, but I still
enjoy covering politics at all levels.
Heidi Field
Solicitor, Wilson/Ryan/Grose Lawyers
Townsville
Young Diplomat of the Year - 1999
The Young Diplomats Program assisted my public speaking, research and
team work skills at high school. It also facilitated my recognition and
appreciation of international diplomatic relations and in particular the
countries which have strained relationships.
In terms of my outlook on life, I began to acknowledge the international
world around me and appreciate how lucky we are to be Australians, and
the importance of international diplomacy in terms of improvements in
welfare, health and access to education globally.
If you enjoy a challenge, public speaking and learning about the
diplomacy between countries you will enjoy participating in the program.
I'm sure you will walk away satisfied and in appreciation of
international diplomacy, if not at least having developed new skills and
friendships of which you might not have otherwise developed.