Students from Traralgon College, Trafalgar High School and Kurnai College Churchill resoundingly agreed Australia needed a bill of rights to help protect the freedoms of all Australians.

Head of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Helen Szoke spoke to the group about the work of the commission and the way governments adapted laws to meet social changes.

Dr Szoke praised students for hosting the convention, saying she did not often get the chance to talk directly to secondary school students.

She said she wanted to promote the group's work on the commission's website and use it as a case study of how young people in the Latrobe Valley wanted to participate in public life.

Leah Tylee from Kurnai College said Dr Szoke's speech made her realise she had rights as a 16 year-old even though she could not yet vote.

Fellow year 11 Kurnai student Ben Xuereb said Saturday's election was his first chance to vote and the parties' positions on rights issues such as gay marriage would influence his vote.

Year 12 student Racheal Abas said she wanted to join the convention because ``our country's government (Sudan) is against human rights''.

Co-organiser Keren Palermo said it was important to get young people passionate about human rights.

She said she and other Latrobe Valley youngsters went to a rally in Melbourne in support of same sex marriage.

``I think it's ridiculous it still hasn't been legalised in Australia, it's really important,'' Ms Palermo said.

United States Consul General Michael Thurston spoke on international human rights treaties and the efficacy of the US Bill of Rights in protecting the rights of its citizens.

Brain child of the convention and Traralgon College teacher Tim Delany said the students asked lots of questions of Mr Thurston, who spoke with students individually while they workshopped.

Mr Delany said 94 per cent of students voted in favour of a bill of rights, with just two voting against one.

Students will write a letter to politicians including the Prime Minister and the Australian Attorney-General explaining why they believe Australia needs a bill of rights.