ON Thursday, work experience student Kent Stokes interviewed Jaclyn Symes during her visit to Euroa. Ms Symes is the state's attorney general, Minister for Emergency Services and a Member for Northern Victoria. Q: How long have you been in this business with fire trucks and the whole state government business? A: So, I've been a member of parliament for 10 years. I represent Northern Victoria, so basically half of the state, so all country areas from Kilmore right up to Mildura across to Corryong. Q: How long have you been supporting the CFA and their business? A: I've been the Minister for Emergency Services now for over three years. And I reckon it's a great job, and the reason it's a fantastic job is that I get to meet so many community-minded people who are volunteers, and they give up their time to protect the community, and they love what they do, and it makes me love what I do. Q: And why you have you become fascinated in this kind of job? Helping people, or are there different reasons also? A: The reason to get into politics is if you want to help people. That's what gets me out of bed each day; helping people and meeting people who like to help people. Q: And did you study in some sort of university or TAFE or something to be in parliament? A: Well, I'm a lawyer. I went to Benalla College and finished year 12 there and, got the grades to study law. Q: How long did it take for you to get your law degree? A: It took five years to get my law degree. Then I moved to Melbourne, becoming an industrial relations lawyer. And then I stepped into government and became a policy advisor. I had the opportunity to put my hand up for election in 2014 and being from Benalla, I was very happy to be able to move back to the country and represent country people.
