Allinta Rose, aged 25, Australia

I work for an organization in Brisbane, Australia, which provides services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) people. We support the Indigenous community to find start businesses, gain sustainable training and employment and support them through coaching initiatives. We work to build up their capacity, self-esteem and confidence. We target low socio-economic areas to decrease unemployment and other social factors such as; domestic violence, gambling, school truancy and other issues. We do this with a passion and heart to make a difference and to empower our people.

The Commonwealth here in Australia means to me a democratically elected government which works for the people. The Commonwealth of nations works for the people within the countries of the Commonwealth to ensure that their lives and livelihoods are upheld, and that we can live in an environment free from political unrest, violence and have fair systems for work, among many other things. The Commonwealth is a band of people that are linked together across a number of nations, with an unspoken respect for one another.

Read about The Queen's role in Australia
Read about Australia on the Commonwealth Secretariat website