Youth Council spots open for second half of current term

YOUNG people between the ages of fourteen and twenty-four are invited to put their hands up to fill several vacancies on the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council for the second half of the 2025 to 2026 term.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said City staff wish to hear from young people who want to represent their counterparts and share their views on a range of matters.

“The Youth Council represents the views of young people on a range of City plans and programs that impact them and represents young people at civic and other events and activities,” she said.

“It also fulfills a key goal of the Council Plan 2025-2029 to ensure young people thrive and are empowered to lead.

“In the seven years of Youth Council, Youth Councillors have contributed to nearly 60 City plans, strategies, policies and projects.”

Greater Bendigo Youth mayor Levity Camilleri added it’s important for young people to have agency to shape their future, and the Youth Council offers a unique opportunity to do so.

“It’s been a great experience to feel heard and respected as a young person,” she said.

“Being in Youth Council has given me the confidence to speak up about issues that are too often ignored or restricted to adult topics.

“I feel like a better person every time I leave a council meeting and I’m always proud to see the progress that we’ve helped to make in the community.”

The new Youth Councillors will undertake induction and training in January and attend their first meeting in February 2026.

Applications, which close at midnight on Monday 10 November, can be made via the Yo Bendigo website.