Giving the youth a seat at the table

ONE of the real privileges of serving as a Councillor is working with the City of Greater Geelong’s Youth Council, and I was delighted to meet the 2026 group recently.

Eleven young people aged between 13 and 17 were formally inducted at City Hall in January, with family, friends and Councillors proudly watching on.

From that group, Vignesh Ram, aged 15, was elected Junior Mayor, with Bailey Roberts, aged 14, elected as Deputy Junior Mayor.

Members have already completed a three-day orientation program led by the City in partnership with Youth Leadership Academy Australia.

During that time, they developed a new charter, identified their key priorities and agreed on a project they will focus on throughout the year.

What stood out to me was how thoughtfully they approached those conversations.

Their priorities include protecting our native land, skies and waterways, improving youth health and wellbeing, addressing economic equality and opportunity, and strengthening inclusivity and safety within the community.

Their priorities guide us about the real issues young people are experiencing in their everyday lives.

Over the next eleven months, the Youth Councillors will meet monthly to consider matters affecting young people across Greater Geelong.

At the end of their term, they will present advice and recommendations to Council on how we can improve the experience of growing up in our region.

Our 2026 Youth Council should feel extremely proud of reaching this point. Selection was competitive, with 26 candidates and almost 2,100 votes cast by students across 17 local schools.

That level of participation shows just how much young people want to be involved and have their voices heard.

I have really enjoyed, and been challenged, by my involvement with the Youth Council in 2025.

Watching the increasing engagement of these bright and articulate young people gives me hope for the future.

The City officers who support and guide the Youth Councillors do a really wonderful job. They are a big part of the reason that this program continues to be so successful.

Programs like the Youth Council matter because just as important as the advice they are giving to Council is that this program actively prioritises youth civic engagement.

This was highlighted recently by the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, when she addressed the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly.

The Governor General pointed to statistics which show only a quarter of Year 10 students have a working knowledge of civics.

I find this deeply troubling. When young people don’t understand how our system works, they risk disengagement and disconnection.

The Governor General has challenged councils to play a stronger role in that work, and the Youth Council is one way the City of Greater Geelong is working to close that gap.

By giving young people a seat at the table, we help build confidence, understanding and trust in our democratic system and I am deeply committed to this work.

I look forward to working with the 2026 Youth Council and learning from their perspectives.

When we listen to young people and act on what they tell us, we build a stronger future for everyone.

You can keep up to date with the work of Youth Council at geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil

Cr Rowan Story

Murradoc Ward

City of Greater Geelong