News
6 November, 2024
Bullying can’t stop Ariana
Only five years after Ariana Doolan walked out the doors of Glasshouse Christian College (GCC) for the last time, she is now walking in through the doors of Parliament House as the youngest elected female representative in the state.
It is a stunning rise for the 22-year-old, who had to overcome an at times bitter battle with incumbent Labor MP, Ali King, at the October 26 general election.
But on the back of a concerted door knocking campaign, a refusal to be bowed by personal attacks and a character steeped in quiet determination, Ms Doolan delivered the swing required for the sweetest victory.
Ms King, who held the seat by 5.3 per cent, conceded last week after Ms Doolan secured a 5.9 per cent swing.
She continued to lead by over 200 votes at the time of printing.
Ms Doolan said the campaign was a tough initiation, firstly after the United Workers’ Union distributed flyers asking “Can a 22-year-old who still lives at home stand up to cuts”, but also for the personal attacks at polling booths.
At one point she claims Ms King told her, to her face, that Ms Doolan stood “for nothing”.
“Ms King came directly up to me and said I had no values, that I stood for nothing and that I was nothing,” Ms Doolan said.
“She also told me that I did not deserve to be standing for election and that I should be ashamed of myself.
“It was really awful but I didn’t let it get to me. I’ve faced rejection and criticism before. It’s like water off a duck’s back.”
A self-described “high achiever,” Ms Doolan said that, while she pushed herself academically, she had also faced bullying as a teenager including for the colour of her skin.
“I think it was the classic tall poppy scenario when I was at school—I was creative, really academic, and driven to succeed,” she reflected.
“Experiencing rejection was painful, but it taught me self-validation and the importance of finding joy in my achievements.
“I realised that true happiness comes from within and that I was happiest when setting goals, trying new things, and achieving them.”
This ambition has propelled her through various leadership roles and creative pursuits, such as singing, pageants, and acting, which helped her build resilience and confidence.
All qualities she later applied on the campaign trail.
She credits her success to determination, effort, and her parents’ support, who encouraged her to see a greater purpose in her struggles.
“They always told me that everything happens for a reason and that one day I’d be doing amazing things.”
Ms Doolan said her dad, head science teacher at GCC, was her biggest champion, while her mum, a former small business owner and teacher was the one she turned to for emotional support.
“My dad has always backed me 100 per cent, every step of the way in everything I’ve tried to achieve, he’s like the ultimate hype man,” Ms Doolan said.
“My mum has always grounded me and kept me level-headed, she was the one who counselled me through the years of bullying.”
Reflecting on her decision to run for parliament, Ms Doolan recalled advice from GCC principal, Mike Curtis.
“Mr Curtis would say, ‘The pain of regret is worse than the pain of discipline.’ When the opportunity arose, I could have shied away, but I thought, ‘If I don’t go for this, I might regret it in 10 years.’”
When asked if she had a message for her constituents, Ms Doolan replied enthusiastically, “Let’s achieve great things together.”
With her youth, passion and energy, Ms Doolan said she was committed to inspiring a new era of community-focused leadership in Queensland.
