b'THE GO FAMILY:NOAH & AURIELLES STORYNoah SmithWhen Noah Smith speaks, people listen. The 17-year-old has faced adversity throughout his life, losing his father when he was just nine years old.However, he has turned that adversity into a sourceWhen reflecting on his life experiences, Noah of inspiration, joining the NSW Youth Parliament withexplained: Most aspects of our lives are political or the goal of creating unity among all Australians.have been politicised, and I want to be at the table to I did my first speech to Youth Parliament exploringhelp make change for other Aboriginal people. I also the parallel narratives of the night my dad diedknow the role of government and good government being the same night that Adam Goodes sufferedpolicy, as well as listening to lived experience. I want terrible racism, which sparked him to do suchto help implement these experiences that I have important and great work. I hope to be able to usehad and that I have witnessed in many others into this as a platform to show other Aboriginal younggovernment for future years.people that there is a place for us. Since joining the NSW Youth Parliament, Noah has "Most aspects of our lives are political or haveused his voice for change, having been appointed been politicised, and I want to be at the table toYouth Premier, Youth Minister for Aboriginal Affairs help make change for other Aboriginal people." and subsequently landing a position on his local councils Youth Advisory Group.For Noah, applying for the GO Program meant he was able to strengthen his cultural connections, while easing his mothers financial tensions. My scholarship has had a massive impact on my life, in so many ways: cultural connection that I really needed, meeting amazing leaders and otheramazing students, right through to the financialsupport andbeing able to go on school camp, to buying all the textbooks and new uniforms, and now my brand-new school captain blazer. The cultural connectionhas also helped me build a network of other Aboriginal students from across Sydney.Not having my Dad alive means I look for strong role models in others to help mentor me and I have found that in GO. I feel so inspired by GO and I feel like we are one massive family. I am very blessed to have found GO, it feels like there is always someone who has my back.30 GO FOUNDATION'