The Museum of Australian Democracy’s Living Democracy exhibition features the voices of a wide range of Australians – including the little voices that sometimes may not be heard. These voices explain to our visitors how they contribute, protest, vote, petition and, in the case of the students from Beckenham Primary School in Perth, Western Australia, how they represent.

Beckenham Primary’s Student Representative Council (SRC) has representatives from every class in the school, from Kindergarten to Year 7. Each councillor works with their class to identify issues they think are important which they then take to SRC meetings for discussion. The SRC also takes the lead in supporting the many initiatives the school undertakes in support of charities and their local community.

Earlier this year I visited Beckenham Primary with the museum’s Curator Corinne Perkin and met teacher Cathy Hearman and 20 students who were current or recent past councillors. We worked with the students to create a book which shows some of the projects they have taken on. The students used their own words and designs to describe how each project was undertaken, what the results were and how participation made them feel. The pages of work they created were turned into a ‘project book’ which is now on display in Living Democracy here at the museum.

We also talked to the students about the things which they think are most important when representing others. Their top four were:

• Being caring and helping others
• Respect and responsibility
• Self-confidence and speaking up
• Listening and giving others a voice

We took photos of the children ‘role-playing’ these qualities which are now featured on a bookmark which museum visitors can take away with them.

We were so impressed by the passion of the students and the pride they take in representing other students. Together they have dealt with issues within the school community such as bullying, littering and the lack of space for play during building renovations. The school community also supports a sister school in Cambodia, works to clean up the local river system and participates in Clean Up Australia Day.

Corinne and I had a great time with some amazing kids and would like to thank Cathy Hearman and Principal Michael Bettenay for their hospitality. And special thanks goes to the students of Beckenham Primary who spent the morning with us and showed us what it means to really represent.