“In my statewide role coaching and mentoring supporting Advisory Visiting Teachers—Physical Impairment (AVTs) across Queensland, I have had the privilege of coordinating Fin’s involvement as a guest speaker at our Partners in Practice Conference on three occasions where AVTs supporting students with physical impairment come together to network and build skill sets. Fin spoke to the team twice at the conference while he was still at school and returned this year after graduating to reflect openly and honestly on his educational journey. 

Each time we have invited Fin to speak, he has brought an invaluable lived-experience perspective to the professional learning of our statewide AVT team. Fin is a powerful advocate for people with disability, particularly students with physical impairment and those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Drawing on his own experiences, he speaks with insight, courage and authenticity about both the highs and the challenges of school life.

Fin challenges educators to listen carefully to students, value their voices and recognise their right to access, participate in and belong within every aspect of their education. He has an exceptional ability to raise awareness of the barriers students may encounter while also offering clear and important messages about what genuinely inclusive education should look and feel like.

Fin does not simply speak about student voice—he demonstrates why students with disability must be heard, respected and meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their education and their lives.