Lead image: Cr. Katharine Nikolic (centre) with fellow members of the 2023 Victorian cohort.
Cr. Katharine Nikolic’s address to the Victorian graduating cohort of 2025
Standing here tonight is deeply personal for me. I still remember walking out of a tutorial during my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne and seeing a poster for the Pathways to Politics program. I paused. I looked at it. And I remember thinking: “One day, I hope I’m good enough to apply for that.”
It felt aspirational and slightly out of reach. It was something for “later”.
Later then came. After finishing my degree, completing my Master of International Relations and working in state government, I finally applied. And I can honestly say, it changed the way I see myself in this space.
One of the most powerful things about Pathways to Politics is that it doesn’t end at graduation.
It’s the start of a new journey. You’re joining a national network of women who will advocate for you, challenge you, back you and open doors for you. And you will do the same for them.
In my cohort, we had women from across the political spectrum. Different professions. Different cultures and life stages. Mums. Young women. Career changers and community leaders.
While it’s non-partisan, it was deeply political in the best sense because it centred around women’s leadership. I was in an industry that can be fast-paced, noisy and reactive. Pathways gave me something rare, which was space to think and work on myself.
I’ll never forget our first session when we were asked: “What milestones in your life have motivated you politically?” I picked up my pen… and I paused. Because for the first time in a long time, I had to articulate not just what I do, but why I do it.
As a daughter of migrants who grew up in Melbourne’s west, I carry two perspectives. Serbian was the first language I spoke at home. I grew up hearing stories of a very different political system, while watching SBS World News and seeing democracy unfold here in Australia.
But I also grew up in a postcode that people underestimated and where as a young person in Melbourne’s west our opportunities were limited because of this. I went to Sunshine College. We didn’t always have the resources others had. There were moments where the physical environment reflected the broader expectations placed on us.
This program helped me see beyond those limitations and helped me dream bigger and pass on the baton to others.
It didn’t just teach practical skills – although the media training with Tracey Spicer was unforgettable. I still hear her voice in my head before interviews.
What it really gave me was clarity. Clarity about my values. Clarity about my voice, and that I belong in these rooms.
And since graduating, the network hasn’t disappeared. The connections are real. The women I met continue to check in, share opportunities, offer advice, and celebrate milestones. Politics can be competitive. But this network is collaborative.
And that has shaped my journey enormously.
So to our graduates tonight, here’s my advice: Stay connected. The power of this program is not just the curriculum. It’s each other. And be anchored in your purpose. Roles will evolve but your “why” must stay steady.
Lastly, don’t wait until you feel completely ready. If I had waited until I felt fully confident walking past that poster at university, I would never have applied. It was a fellow female co-worker that tapped me on the shoulder and gave me that nudge.
For me, leadership is not about perfection. It’s about courage and service. Each of you brings lived experience that Australian politics needs. Whether that’s cultural perspective, professional expertise, caregiving experience, or community advocacy.
You belong here. Reshaping what leadership looks like in this country. And I cannot wait to see where this leads you to next!
