Advocacy is often described as speaking up for a cause or standing behind an idea. But in practice, advocacy usually begins much earlier than that. It starts when someone notices a problem, realises it matters, and decides they are willing to do something about it.
For Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year Alyssia Kennedy, that moment began in a classroom. Alyssia is the founder of Upturn Tasmania, a youth-focused organisation committed to improving life outcomes for young people through practical education, advocacy and opportunity. Through its flagship Life After School program, she is advocating for greater access to the practical skills, knowledge and confidence young people need to successfully navigate life beyond school. What started as a one-off presentation to Year 10 students has since grown into a program supporting young people across Tasmania and beyond.
Speaking with Rural Leaders podcast host Oli Le Lievre, Alyssia reflected on the simple question that sparked her advocacy journey.
“I was asked to go into a school, which is my former college, to talk around everything, everything about life.”
The session covered budgeting, car expenses, renting, resumes and financial literacy. But what stood out wasn’t the content. It was the response.
“Seeing their heads go instant click of, I didn’t know that that was a thing, or I didn’t know that that’s the process of which you need to go through to get that.”
That experience planted a seed.
“I think there’s something here.”
Advocacy Begins With Listening
One of the most powerful lessons from Alyssia’s story is that advocacy does not start with having all the answers. It starts with listening.
As she continued delivering sessions and speaking with students, teachers and parents, a common theme emerged.
“It was around what the curriculum teaches you, but then how to make that into practical life skills.”
The more conversations she had, the clearer the need became.
“The more I talked about that, the more the need grew.”
Rather than accepting the gap as something outside her control, Alyssia chose to advocate for change.
“I really need to advocate for this.”
That decision eventually led her to pitch the concept at Parliament House as part of the ABC Trailblazers program.
“I was able to pitch to Parliament and talk about the gaps that we’re seeing in our regions and that was the start of all of it, basically.”
By the end of that year, the program had expanded from one school to sixteen.
Change Happens Through Relationships
Advocacy is often imagined as a lone voice standing up for a cause. Alyssia’s experience tells a different story.
When asked about leadership, she immediately pointed to the people around her.
“My motto for Upturn is actually we rise by lifting others.”
She credits much of the program’s growth to the network of supporters, educators, decision-makers and community members who helped amplify the message.
“I don’t see myself as a leader by any means because I feel that I’m carried by so many amazing and strong people that have gotten me to where I am.”
This reflects a key principle of advocacy. Sustainable change rarely happens because of one person. It happens when people come together around a shared challenge and commit to solving it collectively.
The Courage to Keep Going
Like many advocacy journeys, Alyssia’s path has not been straightforward.
Funding challenges, personal hardship and setbacks all tested her resolve. Yet those experiences ultimately strengthened her commitment.
“I need to do something now that is really purposeful because I feel that life just threw me a spanner of everything.”
Through it all, she remained focused on the outcome she wanted to create for others.
Her vision is simple: practical life skills should be accessible to every young Australian.
“Honestly, if we advocate right, it would be awesome to see this not just in schools, but in other areas.”
For anyone sitting on an idea, a cause or a challenge they care deeply about, Alyssia offers a reminder that advocacy often starts with a single step.
“Do it. Honestly, if it’s in your brain, it’s probably in someone else’s as well.”
Because leadership through advocacy is not about waiting for permission. It is about choosing to act when something matters.
Listen to the conversation below or search Rural Leaders on your favourite podcast app.
