Junior Mayor makes her first presentation to council

TWELVE people aged 12-16 were elected to the City of Greater Geelong’s first ever Youth Council in February this year, to become the region’s official ‘youth voice’ and advise council on issues.

Several youth councillors watched on as their Junior Mayor Josie Horne made her first presentation to council last week, detailing the Youth Council’s key priorities in the Annual Plan, which will form the basis of its actions.

The key priorities include the planning and implementation of the “2019 Geelong Annual Youth Summit”, which is slated for October 2019.

Council has also noted that youth councillors will meet on a monthly basis.

Junior Mayor Josie Horne will make her next quarterly presentation on behalf of the Youth Council on July 23, 2019.

Junior Mayor Josie Horne said the Youth Council had made tremendous progress within a short space of time.

“We bounce ideas off each other and are passionate about the issues that matter to young people,” Miss Horne said.

“We are so grateful to be part of this diverse council and will continue to work hard to serve the youth of Greater Geelong.”

Mayor Bruce Harwood said it was great to see the junior councillors enthusiastically collaborating together, to work out their main priorities for the year.

“The Youth Council is a positive initiative that gives council a chance to learn more about the challenges our region’s young people are facing, and to identify opportunities that will benefit them,” Mr Harwood said.