Developed by the Country Education Partnership, the Rural Youth Ambassador program provides students in rural and remote communities with an opportunity to develop leadership skills and voice educational issues to government sectors.

Although the program began in Victoria six years ago, funding from the Federal Government has allowed the initiative to expand into other states including NSW.

The Year 11 student said he was looking forward to sharing his perspective as a student from a rural area and networking with other ambassadors.

"Because of COVID-19 we're doing online forums but the whole objective is to come up with programs; we each get to work on something and then the idea will be developed, challenged and then eventually presented to education ministers.

"Each state involved holds their own meetings but organisers have planned for us to meet in person if restrictions allow for that.

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"At the end of the year, in December, an interstate meeting is planned in Canberra so all participants can meet each other, network and shares ideas."

Every three weeks, the NSW Rural Youth Ambassadors will meet with their instructor to discuss educational topics and engage in learning opportunities while fostering connections and aspirations.

A big issue Lachlan had identified for rural and remote students, especially after speaking with his teachers, was access to resources.

"I think it is important to look at things from a teacher's perspective as well as a student. In comparison to Sydney schools where they have access to everything every day, rural kids struggle to access simple resources."

Lachlan said he was interested in seeing what interested him most during the course of this initiative- be it politics, legislation or teaching. A big focus of the program is presenting and building leadership skills.

"Both my parents are teachers, so I am invested in education. I want to understand, not just myself, but how we are continuously impacted by living in a rural area and not just with education either."

Lachlan will be joined by a few familiar faces as Macintyre High School students Abi Chetham and Lilly King were also selected as NSW Ambassadors.

The Inverell Times will be catching up with both girls in the coming weeks.