Taking life head on

Youth Ambassador for Blacktown Council, NSW, Doris David talks to Tanu about her role, her inspiration and future plans

Doris David has a lot on her plate for the coming year. She, along with Jade Collins, has been appointed as the Youth Ambassadors by the Blacktown Council in New South Wales.
“I have a conference in July in Tamworth on Sister Cities and another one in late September. I will also have to speak at citizenship ceremonies every month,” she says from Melbourne where she is visiting family and friends. “I will also get to meet some high profile people as part of the Blacktown Council programmes. I basically will have to be the voice of the youth in Blacktown.”
Every year the council appoints two youth ambassadors after a very stringent selection process involving interviews, quizzes as well as presenatations. “Doris is a very good public speaker so she managed to do well at everything,” says her mother Susan David, who lives with her father David Kingsly in Prospect, New South Wales.
Doris was born in India in 1993 and she was 11 when she came to Australia. She has been in Blacktown ever since. She studied in the area and is proud of the suburb Blacktown. “I think I’ve really been shaped by Blacktown. When I walk around, everyone is so friendly and all have time for a smile and a chat. I’ve been to other suburbs but I feel really lucky to have been in Blacktown.”
It was at a multicultural forum a year back that a local councillor took notice of a very spirited young girl speaking publicly. Doris was in Year 10 at the time but the councillor asked her to apply for the youth ambassador ship anyway. The entry requirement was Year 11 education. Doris tried, but was unsuccessful. Seeing this as an opportunity is probably testament to her character. She tried again the next year and breezed through all the stages to be nominated the Youth Ambassador.
Doris has a number of other interests including netball which she not only plays but is qualified to umpire as well. She has also just completed her 6th grade in piano. Now, she says she wants to grow up to be a criminal lawyer. Her mother was not quite sure where the inspiration came from but Doris says that it probably has to do with her public speaking skills. “It was also watching Judge Judy. And then again, I just like to argue. I just argue about everything around the house. Now I’m taking legal studies and I have a love for the law,” says Doris.
Her mother says that her skills probably come from her attending Bible classes regularly. Here she has had to speak publicly from when she was very young. “Faith is obviously a big part of who I am. Without the gospel, it’s all impossible. I pray every day and I’m thankful that He shows me the way,” says Doris.
Her mother says that she has always been the responsible one in the family. “When she first got to Australia, she settled down in no time at all. She was soon taking her younger sister and cousins to school and back,” says her mother. Doris says that being the elder one probably has a lot to do with it but she adds, “I think the way Mum and Dad brought me up also has a lot to do with it. They taught me manners and watching them live their life has been the best example for me. They’ve always encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself.”
So there is much in store for this promising member of the new generation. We look forward to seeing her achieve much more.