Dr Amy MacMahon

Amy MacMahon graduated from Brisbane State High in 2003, and has been part of the local neighbourhood ever since. In 2020, she was elected as the state member for South Brisbane, which includes West End, South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Woolloongabba, Dutton Park, Kangaroo Point, and part of Annerley. Amy feels really lucky to represent such a diverse and connected community, and Brisbane State High is right in the heart of the electorate. As a Greens representative, Amy says she's fighting for things like public housing, more funding for public health and education, greenspace and public transport. A great public education - something that everyone should have access to! - gave her a great start in life.

Politics wasn’t always an ambition for Amy, but she always knew she would be involved with social change. "While I was still in high school, I joined my parents on anti-war marches, and classes in modern history at State high really triggered my interest in combating inequality and injustice. We learned about revolutions, wars, capitalism, politics and colonisation. Our modern history teacher, Mrs Lingard, was a big inspiration".

Amy was very conscientious in high school  - but was also really interested in art, drama and performance. She won the Drama Award in year 12, and sang in the chorus in an 80s-style musical. Although shy, Amy felt that drama gave her a lot of confidence - even today, she draws on skills learned in drama, whenever having to make speeches or speak to the media.

Amy rowed every year until year 12, when she made the 1st Eight. "There were only eight of us, so this isn’t really a reflection on my own sporting ability! But I shared a boat with some very talented athletes, and learned a lot about teamwork - some of the girls I rowed with went on to be professional rowers. I also volunteered as a rowing coach for a few years after graduating as well - I had gotten so much out of my time in the squad, and I wanted to give something back. I have vivid memories of beautiful cold early mornings on the river, and buying bread at Kim Than’s on the walk from the rowing sheds to school".

While  still in high school, Amy got her first job - along with two school friends she worked at an underground McDonalds in the Queen Street Mall.  However becoming fuelled by interest in social and environmental issues - she quit frying chicken nuggets, and became a vegetarian.

After graduating in 2003, Amy went on to study Social Science and Peace and Conflict Studies at UQ, and it was there she became involved in the environmental and refugee movement, the student union, and the Greens. "I travelled to Bangladesh to do a PhD, and then decided to run for parliament – our grassroots campaign involved a lot of door knocking, and phone calling, and talking to people about their vision for their neighbourhood, and Queensland. On election day, I cast my own vote at State High - you can see the photo of me and my high school friend Imogen, on election day, outside the State High gates".

Speaking with students and young people today, Amy is always so impressed with how connected, thoughtful and knowledgeable young people are about the world around them. "I’ve had amazing conversations with young people about climate change, inequality, LGBTI rights and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history - so many young people are hungry for change, and want to be part of that change. So my advice to young people is to find all the opportunities you can to connect with other like-minded people, both young and old. Find opportunities to volunteer, go to meetings, and meet people in your community who you might not usually connect with. Change happens collectively, with solidarity, and excitingly, at State High, you’ve already got a huge, diverse community to connect with. But also don’t study too hard! Find some time to sit in the sunshine in Musgrave Park, and dream about the future you’re going to create".