The 16-year-old was at last week’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy, one of only 22 girls accepted from more than 1000 applicants statewide.

The Sydney University program opened its doors to a few dozen ridiculously talented young women from NSW, Queensland and Victoria, but more about that in a minute. Back to the PM.

“I asked if Annabel had any funny stories and she said she’d seen Kevin Rudd in his underwear,” Alisha said.

“She was talking to him in New York when he was Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson, and he went into a menswear store to buy some new clothes. She walked in at just the wrong moment, and nicknamed him ‘Calvin Rudd’.”

The tale of the PM in his CKs rather turns the tables – he’s a better known observer of New York stripteases than practitioner – but the week was about more than gossip.

Leadership is a slippery thing to define, but Alisha discovered it can be simply knowing when to take a back seat.

“We learned leadership is about listening to everyone else and then making a decision,” she said.

“Most of the girls were really smart and worth listening to. They all had different talents like debating, drama and the piano.”

Alisha’s rap sheet suggests she’s also worth listening to.

The year 10 Great Lakes College student is a science prodigy, specialising in marine technology.

She tops history, geography and phys ed, plays A grade soccer, state touch football and stars in Les Miserables and Mr Zarbouvray in her spare time.

Of course, you’ve got to know how to walk.

“One of the sessions was about walking and making your presence felt,” Alisha said.

“The best way is chest out, shoulders back. It’s about symmetry, so if you dress and carry yourself in a symmetrical way you have presence.

“One of my tasks was to walk in and get everyone’s attention without saying anything, and I did it pretty well.”