2021 Youth Council hands in its final report

GEELONG junior mayor Elliot Nicholas has presented the 2021 City of Greater Geelong Youth Council’s fourth and final report, which offers input on a range of topics from mental health to support for the local Afghan community.

The Youth Council’s report also outlines its progress and achievements since September, and shares advice on areas of importance to young people including youth traineeships, alcohol access and makeshift bike jumps.

Nicholas said the report detailed the numerous activities and panel opportunities provided during the past three months to Youth Council members to “give their perspective on issues they care about”.

“Youth Council has also been involved in the development of social media posts for RUOK Day, World Suicide Prevention Day and promoting healthy Covid-19 messaging to young people.

“Youth Council members hope that they have been able to use their platform to spread positive messages and connect young people with important information to support them throughout this challenging year.”

Nicholas was one of 12 people, aged 12 to 17, elected to the city’s Youth Council Advisory Committee (Youth Council), for a 12-month term to provide the region’s official “youth voice”, with three representatives from each council ward.

Youth Council members met monthly as a group, contributed to Monash University’s YourGround safety mapping survey and the Growing Up in Geelong Study with Deakin University this quarter, and were involved in the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program with their ward councillors.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher applauded the Youth Council on its commitment, particularly during another challenging year, and thanked the members for their valuable advice and insight into how the council could further support young people across Greater Geelong.

“I sincerely thank the Youth Council members for their involvement in the program and their fantastic contribution to their community and the council’s work,” she said.

“We greatly appreciate and respect the Junior Council members’ ideas on how the council can help tackle really tough issues such as youth suicide, and their encouragement of council projects like new bike trails and advocacy for the Afghan community.”

Cr Sarah Mansfield, chair of the council’s Diversity, Inclusion and LGBTIQ+ portfolio, said the contribution of this year’s Youth Council would be a key consideration in the council’s ongoing decision-making.

“The mentoring sessions and quarterly reports from the Youth Council members have been a highlight for me, particularly when you look at the key issues they have raised.

“Our Youth Council of 2021 should be very proud of its achievements and the excellent example it has provided for the new Youth Council elected to serve next year.”

Nominations closed last month for the 2022 Youth Council, and the 12 members will be announced in January.