MORE than 3,500 young people from the Geelong region have spoken up in the City of Greater Geelong’s latest Youth Survey.<\/p>\n
It’s the largest response we’ve ever received and it tells a story that’s both hopeful and challenging.<\/p>\n
The survey was aimed at young people aged 12-25, as well as parents, those working in education and community members.<\/p>\n
In total 3,790 submissions were received. Bellarine Secondary College, Belmont High School, Clonard College and North Geelong Secondary College all had more than 200 students complete the survey.<\/p>\n
Our Youth Development team is now filtering and analysing the data, with an engagement report to be released in the coming months.<\/p>\n
Preliminary analysis suggests that the top three issues of concern that young people reported were school and study pressures, mental health and wellbeing and cost of living or financial stress.<\/p>\n
Once the data has been analysed it will help Council better support young community members, informing how we plan programs, services and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
One deeply satisfying part of my role as a Councillor is working with the City of Greater Geelong’s Youth Council.<\/p>\n
These are students from across the region who step up to learn about local government, get involved in decisions that affect their lives and advocate for their peers.<\/p>\n
I’ve had the chance to sit down with them and hear their ideas. I have to say, they’re brave, they’re enthusiastic and they’re prepared to push the envelope for what they believe in.<\/p>\n
Youth Councillors are supported through the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program which connects them to experienced Councillors to guide, support and champion their growth as leaders.<\/p>\n
This work matters, not just because it gives young people a seat at the table, but because it teaches something deeper: what it means to be informed, active and responsible citizens of Australia.<\/p>\n
Re-engaging young people with civics is a challenge our whole nation needs to face.<\/p>\n
That’s something the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, spoke about recently when she addressed the Australian Local Government Association General Assembly in Canberra.<\/p>\n
She shared a deeply worrying statistic \u2013 only 25 per cent of Year 10 students have a working understanding of civics.<\/p>\n
That’s not just an education issue. It’s a democracy issue.<\/p>\n
Because when people don’t understand how our system works and they’re not actively participating in our democracy, they’re vulnerable to disinformation, division and disengagement.<\/p>\n
And as Her Excellency rightly said, the solution starts at the local level.<\/p>\n
Councils, like ours, are in a unique position to show young people how democracy really works \u2013 up close, in their own backyard.<\/p>\n
Through the Youth Council, through surveys, youth spaces, support programs and leadership pathways, we’re doing just that.<\/p>\n
I am deeply passionate about how we can better involve young people in politics and hear young voices when planning for the future.<\/p>\n
We’ve got brilliant young people in Greater Geelong and I want to thank every single person who took the time to tell us what matters to them in this survey.<\/p>\n
Let’s support our young people. Let’s teach them how to lead and most importantly, let’s listen when they speak about their future and ensure we act on what they’re telling us.<\/p>\n