Youth Council offers final advice about youth hub

LAST year’s Youth Council at the City of Greater Geelong have offered some important insights on how to establish a dedicated space for young people in the city.

Comprising 12 young people aged between 12 and 17, the Youth Council Advisory Committee was the municipality’s official ‘youth voice’ during their 12-month term, and presented their final report for consideration at last month’s council meeting.

The Youth Council raised the topic of a youth-specific space several times during 2023, and the final report states that “providing young people with access to a secure setting will have a positive effect on those who use its services and allow young people to reclaim space within central Geelong.”

“The central youth hub needs to be a setting that young people can access services and supports as well as enjoyable activities.

“Youth Council believe that young people need to be involved in the planning and design of the youth dedicated space, but further, believe that young people need to be at the centre of the decision making for the space from its initiation.”

It further presents three “pieces of advice” about what the city should do next:

Ensure that widespread and place-based consultation is undertaken with many young people to ensure the space is well received by young people and there is considerable buy-in from the youth community, with multiple opportunities and methods for young people to contribute

Once the site has been chosen, establish a youth committee, through an expression of interest process where young people can sit on a committee to guide the activities and events at the space, and

Ensure there are ongoing opportunities for all young people to participate in consultations throughout each stage of the social infrastructure process where feedback and input can be considered in the space’s design and delivery.

In the final 2023 Youth Council report, Junior Mayor Irene Mulilo shared her experience of gaining confidence to speak on issues that are important to young people.

“A couple of the highlights for the year for me were interviewing Ali Watson from Code Like a Girl at the City’s International Women’s Day event and participating in the Growing Up in Cities Deakin Project, in which I assisted in envisioning a more youth-enabling Geelong,” she wrote.

“Being Junior Mayor in 2023 provided me with a platform where I could speak out and be heard. My position on Youth Council has helped me rediscover my voice.”

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the 2023 Youth Council members should be proud of their achievements throughout the year.

“I know it takes a lot of courage to run for Youth Council.

“It’s been amazing to see the Youth Council members develop their skills through workshops, training and mentoring.

“They have gained confidence in so many areas.”

“Most importantly they have learnt to advocate on issues that are important to their peers.”

There have been more than 100 nominations for the 2024 Youth Council.