Thirty of the brightest and most ambitious students in WA gathered at Curtin University of Technology for the 2006 Sir Charles Court Young Leaders' Program (including Clarkson Community High School student Darcy Driscoll)

The former premier revealed to the Year 10 students, drawn from public and private schools across the State, the leadership secrets gleaned from his long political career.

"Leaders start from the bottom," Sir Charles said. "They accept responsibilities after they've accepted them, and they fulfil them. Before long they're seen as leader because they've fulfilled their responsibilities."

"It's a very personal decision - if you want to be a leader, you've got to make the decision, not your family, not your teachers, not your friends."

Albany Senior High School student Luke Tulloch, set to appear in a locally shot television adaptation of WA author Tim Winton's Lockie Leonard, Human Torpedo, is hoping to hone his leadership skills during the intesive five-day program.

"It's been great because I've met so many new people," the 15 year old said. "I tend to be pretty shy, so hopefully this will build my confidence and self esteem."

Program co-ordinator Sheila Flanagan said the program, now in its eighth year, was designed to broaden the experience of participants and expose them to new ideas.

"We hope to expand their world view, to develop their leadership skills, and to help them build networks, which they can draw on over time," Mr Flanagan said.

Article by Martin Phillip

Picture by Guy Magowan: Leadership matters: Sir Charles Court with the 2006 Young Leaders Program students Daisey de la Hunty, Dylan Evans, Luke Tulloch, Elaine Chong, Darcy Driscoll and Cassandra Mutton at Curtin University.