The City of Greater Geelong’s fourth Youth Council has been announced, with 12 young people being chosen to serve as the official ‘youth voice’ to council for 2022.
The Youth Council will act as an official advisory committee to council, with three members representing each of the Bellarine, Brownbill, Kardinia and Windermere wards.
The Youth Council members will meet once a month and provide a youth perspective to council on issues such as mental health awareness, bullying, climate change, and inclusion.
Junior members were chosen by members of youth advisory groups in their respective wards.
Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan congratulated the new members and acknowledged the critical role the Youth Council played in representing the views of Geelong’s young people.
“The youth of Geelong have shown remarkable resilience during the pandemic, and now more than ever, we need to hear their perspectives on the issues that are important to them,” he said.
“The 12 youth councillors are an impressive group and represent a diverse mix of backgrounds. We know they’ll do an outstanding job of representing their peers.”
The 2022 Youth Council members are Indiana Roberts, 14, Genaya Rowbottom, 17, and Timothe Garnier, 12, representing Bellarine; Tahlia Baronessa, 17, Imogen O’Shannessy, 14, and Bailey Strahan, 14, representing Brownbill; Isobel Rose, 13, Sarah Tolan, 13, and Ashlin Bobby, 14, representing Kardinia; and Charlee Hide, 13, Angelle Mackay, 15, and Adrian Wyres, 15, representing Windermere.
The first meeting for the 2022 Youth Council will take place on Monday, February 7, where the junior members will set their key priorities for the year ahead.
Junior members will work closely with councillors in their respective wards as part of the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program, which leads to improved leadership skills, a better understanding of local government and greater confidence in the young people participating.
Youth Council will report to council quarterly on activities undertaken by the advisory committee and, in previous years, has played an important role in calling for further promotion of the city’s mental health first aid training and additional youth designated spaces in the region.
Last year’s Youth Council contributed to Monash University’s YourGround safety mapping survey, while this year’s council will be able to offer its insights to the Growing Up in Geelong Study with Deakin University.
Diversity, inclusion and LGBTIQ+ portfolio chair Sarah Mansfield thanked everyone who nominated to serve on 2022’s Youth Council.
“We had 111 nominees who put themselves forward to be part of this year’s Youth Council and it’s wonderful to the see passion and commitment of our future leaders,” Cr Mansfield said.
“The 2022 Youth Council will continue the fantastic work of our previous three Youth Councils, and I look forward to hearing their insights on what is important to young people in our region.”
