October 30, 2025
Five Perth teens took their voices straight to Parliament House in Canberra, sharing powerful stories of growing up in poverty as part of the End Child Poverty campaign. Kelly-Marie, Izabellah, Aimee, Tahlia and a young man opened up about the realities they faced -missing meals, wearing damaged uniforms, and feeling left out of opportunities many kids take for granted.
But these young changemakers didn’t just speak—they played! In a fun, relaxed session in Mural Hall, they challenged MPs like Jason Clare, Kara Cook, and Milton Dick to games of Giant Jenga and Connect Four. As the blocks toppled and the chips clattered, politicians listened, laughed, and learned firsthand how childhood poverty shapes lives. Afterward, the kids visited MPs’ offices for photos and chats, emphasizing the need for a child-first approach to measuring and tackling poverty. Larissa Muir, CEO of 12 Buckets, called for more community support, while Campaign Lead Sarah Quinton urged lawmakers to adopt clear, measurable policies. This event wasn’t just a moment—it was a powerful call to action, shining a light on childhood poverty and inspiring real change for Australia’s most vulnerable kids.
“When you don’t have access to the same things other kids do, you feel different, like an outsider.”
Tahlia
”Even with my parents working multiple jobs, there just isn’t enough sometimes to make sure everyone has what they need.”
Izabellah
“My dad didn’t have enough money to buy me a new school shirt when mine got a rip in it… I started getting detentions even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.”
Male, 16 years old
“Sometimes I choose not to ask for food, because it’s easier to go hungry rather than upset anyone or risk them not helping me in the future.””
Aimee
“Straight from school my mum would say it’s time to go to other people’s houses… we would line up and collect food from local drop-off points. It was a lot doing this straight after school.”
Kelly-Marie
12 Buckets is a Perth-based charity that strives to equip students in need of mentoring with the skills, support and connections to build a strong future.