Allora local Sally Higgins has been appointed by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen as the United Nations Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) for COP31 – a global role created to ensure young people are meaningfully included in international climate discussions. COP31 is the major yearly gathering where almost every country in the world comes together to plan how we respond to climate-related challenges.

Sally says her connection to Allora is at the heart of why this work matters. “Growing up, living and farming in Allora have shaped how I think about taking action on some of our climate challenges,” she says. “I see farmers having to take bigger risks, natural disasters costing us our crops, the hotter weather making our animals less efficient, and biosecurity threats rising. These are signs to me that we must take action, and that farmers, who understand their challenges best, must be included in the solutions.”

To mark the appointment, the Minister travelled to Allora this week to film video content for the announcement. While in town, he also met with student leaders from Allora State School and Assumption College, giving local young people the chance to share their own views.

Sally’s appointment places someone from a small regional town into a genuinely global position. As the UN PYCC, she will work with young people across Australia, the Pacific, and around the world, helping bring their ideas and experiences into the COP31 Presidency’s work.

For Australia, it means youth perspectives, including those from rural and farming communities, will be part of the international conversation.

For Allora, it’s a proud moment that shows local experience has a place on the world stage. Sally’s lived understanding of drought, heat, and farming pressures gives her a grounded perspective she’ll carry into global rooms.

Sally says her focus is on lifting up the work young people are already doing. “My focus will be on profiling the great work that young people around the world are doing to address a changing climate,” she says. She also wants global leaders to take youth seriously: “I want decision makers from governments around the world to be thinking about young people as important partners in taking action on climate change.”

She plans to keep the community updated throughout the journey. Locals can follow along on her social media, and she’ll be sharing regular updates through the Allora Advertiser as well.

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 6 May 2026.