Junior Mayor Josie Horne has presented her fourth
and final report to council, detailing the Youth Council’s successful Geelong
Youth Summit and other recent achievements.
Twelve people aged 12-17 were elected to the
region’s first ever Youth Council in February this year, to advise council and
serve as an official ‘youth voice’.
Over the last two months, the youth councillors
planned and executed Greater Geelong’s first ever Youth Summit at GMHBA
Stadium.
More than 100 enthusiastic young people aged 12-17
used design thinking to tackle the Youth Council’s three priority issues of
homelessness and public safety, the environment and mental health and
wellbeing.
The students worked with industry experts to come
up with solutions to address these challenges.
Attendees also voiced their support for Greater
Geelong to declare a ‘climate emergency’ in the future, leading to the Youth
Council making a recommendation to council to reconsider the matter.
The Junior Mayor has also given feedback to the
City about its new Civic Precinct, recommending that the environment,
accessibility and safety be prioritised and recognisable within the space.
The youth councillors also held a session with the
City’s Social Infrastructure team, suggesting more bike lanes be built in the
municipality to increase active transport.
Nominations are currently open for the 2020 Geelong
Youth Council, which will continue the great work of this year’s youth
councillors.
Three young people will be selected for each of the
four council wards.
Eligible young people can nominate before Sunday 5
January 2020.
Councillor Stephanie Asher – Mayor
The Youth Council should be proud of their efforts
in setting up and running the region’s first ever Geelong Youth Summit – well
done!I thank the youth councillors for their hard work,
advocacy and willingness to learn during their term.
Youth Councillor Josie Horne – Junior Mayor
Being part of the Youth Council has been a great
chance for my fellow councillors and I to get young peoples’ voices heard and
to learn about local government.I really encourage young people to run for council. It’s been a fun and
interesting experience that I’ve learnt a lot from.
