But that’s exactly what Dubbo’s Cody Jones received during last month’s National Indigenous Youth Parliament in Canberra.

It came during the two-day mock parliament at the end of the week-long forum, where each member had the floor for three minutes.

Cody addressed the 49 other young delegates on a topic close to his heart: disability inclusion.

“There are 4.5 million Australians with a disability in this country and as one of them I am aware that too often there isn’t equal access for people with disabilities and they often don’t get support and encouragement from the wider community,” Cody said.

“As I said in my speech: ‘We need to address discrimination within our local communities before it is too late and this country misses out on the amazing contribution a person with a disability, when supported and encouraged, can make’.

“It blew me away – standing at the podium and I’ve taken a step back and everyone was on their feet.”

The group also debated a series of legislation, which was handed at the end of the week to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tony Smith.

Cody was one of six representatives from NSW at the week-long forum, which also included a reception at Parliament House.

“I’m never going to be able to forget being able to sit down with the Prime Minister [Malcolm Turnbull] and with the Opposition Leader [Bill Shorten] to talk to them about local issues,” Cody said.

“Personally I did a lot of talking about disability inclusion and as a person with a disability I raised a lot about the lack of support for employment for people with disabilities.”

It was not an easy week, by any means. Cody and his fellow delegates were doing 19-hour days. It was also an emotionally-charged week.

“We were actually with the Governor-General … having afternoon tea at Government House when all the phones started buzzing: we were getting messages about Uluru,” Cody said in reference to the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart.

“We also had the 50-year anniversary of the 1967 referendum, the Mabo decision, and Sorry Day all happening in that week … it was a very emotional week.”

It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Cody, who said Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton was instrumental in getting Cody to Canberra.

“He also sponsored me to go down so that was greatly appreciated,” Cody said.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot about how our political system operates.

“It’s hard to pick a moment in the week that wasn’t powerful.”