Seven young Tasmanians have been honoured by the Governor of Tasmania after being named
Diabetes Australia Young Leaders during a World Diabetes Day reception held at Government House
last night.

Tahlia McDermott was one of the young Tasmanians honoured and said that with over 25,000
Tasmanians diagnosed with diabetes, and many more undiagnosed, she hoped this new role would
allow her to increase community awareness about type 1 diabetes.

“Having type 1 diabetes has given me the opportunity to raise awareness and speak from my own
personal experiences, as I understand first-hand what it’s like to live with the disease,” Miss
McDermott said.

“We are lucky to have great healthcare in Australia and I urge people to get tested and take
advantage of the services offered by organisations such as Diabetes Tasmania.

“I’ve cycled from Vietnam to Cambodia, stopping at local hospitals to meet with other young people
living with type 1 diabetes and was fortunate enough to provide them with essential supplies that
we have access to in Australia.

“Being named a Young Leader is another humbling and fantastic opportunity to get the word out
there about managing type 1 diabetes.”

Diabetes Tasmania CEO, Caroline Wells, said the Young Leaders’ program was a new initiative of
Diabetes Australia, providing a platform to advocate for issues that matter to people with type 1
diabetes.

“The Young Leaders’ role will be to advocate to state and federal governments as well as policy
makers and advisers to bring about change, such as affordable healthcare, support during
pregnancy, discrimination and mental health support,” Ms Wells said.

“The demands of type 1 diabetes tend to force children to grow up faster than others their own age,
and many become natural leaders.

“We’re very proud of these young people and are excited to have the chance to give them the
recognition they deserve.”

Nationally, 130 Young Leaders have been named and through the program, they will present their
stories to the media, political, business and community leaders and will be a voice of their
generation.
Carmen Jenkinson, Diabetes Tasmania