WEBVTT

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Ask any 16-year-old
what the best new-found freedom is,

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and everyone will say the same thing:

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they're officially legal...

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to drive, that is,

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and in their minds a perfect age

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to drink something
a little bit stronger than cordial.

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At our age, we are caught
in the middle of our youthful innocence

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and the scary world that lies

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beyond the borders
of our school and our family,

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with lingering expectations
to find our place

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not only within what has become
a solidified community here at school,

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but rather the ever-growing world
of economics, politics, and design.

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Girls find themselves experimenting 
and expanding their horizons

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by unleashing their most 
basic human instincts:

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satisfaction and exploration.

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Some girls choose to satisfy
their social appetites

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diving into the world of
partying and self-expression,

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whilst others

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explore boundless possibilities
to act beyond their years

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and to stimulate their minds
creatively and academically.

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We are fooling ourselves
if we don't acknowledge

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that every generation
goes through this period in life.

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When we get old,
we don't want to have regrets,

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and feel the need to break free
from commitments

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that apparently tie us down.

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A perfect example of this
is the film Hall Pass.

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For those of you who aren't familiar,

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a group of men put 
their marriages on hold

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to experience what they're missing
in the singles party scene,

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because they regretted
not having taken full advantage

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of their days as "studs".

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In reality,
it would be bordering on pathetic

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if we were to end up
with this kind of attitude.

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In saying this,

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there are many ways
to explore life beyond childhood

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and expand our horizons —

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opportunities that will leave us
with a greater insight

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into the part that we will play
in our world's future.

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I have a personal experience
in expanding my horizons.

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At the beginning of the year,
I took on extra studies

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and completed a subject called
"Contemporary Issues in Law and Society"

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at Bond University.

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This involved
studying a wide spectrum of topics,

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incluiding politics, abortion, euthanasia,

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stem cell research and capital punishment.

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All topics, many people believe,
are beyond my years

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of experience and knowledge.

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In my tutorial alone,
there was a capitalist, a muslim,

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an Asian, a European,
and a few other interesting individuals,

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all ranging from 15 to 55 years of age.

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So there was bound to be
a great deal of difference in opinion,

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and this was explored
throughout our 12 weeks.

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At university,
everyone is given a level playing field,

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meaning we all have the ability

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to share and manipulate 
many unique ideas.

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I formed independent opinions about topics

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that girls my age don't usually consider,

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developed critical thinking skills,
and learned to effectively

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analyze information
put forth in lectures and tutes,

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as well as improving
public speaking skills.,

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as I learned to speak freely
in front of a diverse group of people.

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There are boundless opportunities
out there,

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within the grasp of young girls.

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It's just a matter of
having the motivation and initiative

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to commit to these.

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Whilst partying 
may be fun and fulfilling,

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the abilities to converse and analyze
at a university level

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can provide enlightenment
and pave the way for

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a more successful and fulfilling future,

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personally and professionally.

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So don't limit yourself.

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Experience the world
outside of your comfort zone,

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and take advantage of
ideas and opportunities

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waiting out there for you.

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Because you never know
where they may lead you.

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Thank you.
(Applause)