Last month Rachel Coulton and Jackie Woodward from Warialda High School; Lachlan Hampton from Inverell High School; Abigail Cheetham and Lily King from Macintyre High School; Jordan Briggs and Natalija Stanjoveic from Moree High School; and Cordelia Lloyd from Guyra Central School all met their fellow Rural Youth Ambassadors members for the first time.

Encompassing locations from Bourke to Ulladulla and from Singleton to Finley, these young people joined their peers in a virtual orientation forum.

Rachel Coulton and Jackie Woodward were both born and raised on Warialda farms and attended local schools.

They have had three virtual meetings with 30 other students to date, and their teacher says one of the first things that struck her was the cutting edge technology being used, followed by the seniority of the attendees..

"In this virtual platform they can move and interact with other students across NSW in a 3D format," said Sharon Gilmore the SRC co-ordinator for Warialda High School.

"People of significance such as Ministers of Education and school principals are listening to the forum as it is happening."

The girls say there have been a range of issues discussed but two have particular significance for them.

"Mental health and the quality of teacher recruitment and retention are important to us," said Rachel.

"There is not a lot of access to mental health professionals in the community, and with the recent drought it has been really hard"

"And teachers come and go in Warialda. They don't last very long,"

As well as highlighting the issues Rachel says they have made some solution suggestions.

"Employing more school counsellors in rural schools, and an online system so it is more private and not so open to other kids seeing you physically with a school counsellor is one," she said.

The girls are also looking at an incentive campaign to attract young teachers out of university to their town.

"We're looking at making their accommodation a bit more attractive and comfortable," Jackie said.

"Some of the issues they face in Warialda are distance and internet access, as well as the limited facilities compared to the city."

Nothing has been formally agreed yet and discussions are ongoing the girls say.

"These are just a couple of ideas and it is all still in the works," said Rachel.

"We will take our final ideas to the Federal Minister of Education Dan Tehan and then we hope to take it further so that changes are made next year to help students."

Mrs Gilmore said the Rural Ambassador Program will continue to benefit the girls until well after they leave High School.

"The great thing about this program is that the students can stay with it until they are aged 24 to network and keep talking with like minded students," she said.

And it seems the opportunity to be heard is one of the best things about the program for the students.

"I think it's good because it's not the adults making up the problems," said Jackie.

"We run the meetings and the adults just listen. We're hoping to meet up and discuss more face to face once COVID has gone.".

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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the inaugural NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program would immerse the Year 11 students selected from his electorate in six months of leadership development, advocacy and learning.

"As these young people enter the final years of school this is a golden opportunity for them to build positive leadership skills which will take their peers and communities forward," Mr Marshall said.

"Rural towns offer a range of fantastic opportunities for young people to exercise leadership and develop public speaking and citizenship skills like Lions Youth of the Year or Rotary Youth Exchange.

"This pilot program builds on those experiences by offering young leaders the chance to share ideas, engage with successful business and thought leaders, explore youth programs with key decision makers and most of all energise each other.

"Each of the Rural Youth Ambassadors will emerge with enhanced leadership skills and knowledge, plus stronger confidence in their future and a network of peers with whom they share interests and aspirations.

"I congratulate all nine students and wish them every success in the program."

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell welcomed the initiative, which is a collaboration between the government, Aurora College and the Country Education Partnership.

Aurora College is the NSW Department of Education's virtual school, providing students in rural and remote communities with the opportunity to connect locally and learn globally.

"Through this pilot program these student leaders will become a voice for their schools, their communities and the areas where they live," Ms Mitchell said.

"They will also have a greater engagement in shaping rural and regional education by contributing reflections, feedback and comments about their own schooling."

Since joining the NSW Rural Youth Ambassador 2020 Pilot Program the young leaders have been participating in online forums, discussions and working groups ahead of a planned three-day conference in Term 4.