Including Mick's vision - still vital today.

 "Mick Young is one of the great icons of the Labor movement. Indeed, in many ways, he embodied the movement - in what he achieved and what he believed.
In the shearing sheds and the union movement, the State and Federal Party organisations, as a Prime Ministerial Advisor, a Parliamentarian and a Minister - Mick Young gave his heart and his soul to the good cause of Labor.
Mick was one of the principal architects of Gough Whitlam's historic 1972 election victory and was there for Gough's earlier historic visit to China -where he is still fondly remembered today. He is widely remembered as one of the party's most effective strategists and Parliamentary tacticians.
Mick was deeply committed to Labor's timeless goals of social justice and opportunity for all. He believed that the greatest opportunity pathway was a good education - which he articulated in his 1979 book, "I Want to Work".
Mick had an incredible zest for life and dearly loved his family. He also had many friends from across the political divide. He was a true champion of the working class. With a quick wit and a larrikin sense of humour, his tenure as Leader of the House is fondly remembered."

   Hon Kevin Rudd MP
   Prime Minister of Australia

 "Mick was my mate and the most important mentor I've ever had in my life.
He was an inspirational man of character. Someone who had an understanding of people and knew the power of plain speaking and strong beliefs. He was tough, compassionate, and big-hearted.
Mick's decency and his values are given continuing life by the work of the Mick Young Scholarship Trust and they lie at the heart of the Rudd Government - a government dedicated to a genuine education revolution for our nation.
As someone who came to education comparatively late, Mick Young understood its unique power to enrich lives and empower people. He knew, as we do, that knowledge and skills are the best way to build prosperity and spread opportunity."

   Hon Wayne Swan MP
   Federal Treasurer

 "Mick Young was my friend and colleague. Mick personified many of the qualities of what it is to be Australian: loyal, tolerant, generous. His sense of humour was legendary. He cared passionately about people and making the world a better place, particularly for hard-working people who wanted something better for themselves and their kids.
Mick believed in social justice and equal opportunity. he had a profound belief in the power of education and its capacity to improve people's lives. One of his proudest achievements was the original scholarship scheme he set up in his electorate.
Mick's vision is being built upon through the Mick Young Scholarship Trust. There is no greater way to honour Mick than to make his dream of equality of opportunity and education for all Australians come true. Education makes us all winners. Mick would say, "Mate, if you're educated, life has dealt you five aces!""

   Hon Kim Beazley AC
   Ambassador to the USA

 "Mick Young was one of the great characters of Australian political life, a true Labor hero who I was privileged to know personally for over a quarter of a century.
Mick epitomised the bridge between old Labor and new Labor. He had the common touch but he was never out of touch and his wit, astuteness and wise counsel were pivotal to the creation of the modern Labor Party and its success over the past 30 years.
He did all this with warmth, compassion, and a fierce sense of social justice.
He also had a remendous belief in the power of education and was very proud of the scholarship scheme he helped to fund and to put in place in his electorate.
I am delighted this idea has been revived and can think of no finer way to honour his memory than through the hundreds of students who now benefit from the Mick Young Scholarship Trust"

   Hon Simon Crean MP
   Minister for Trade