The City’s Youth Council Advisory Committee has released its second report for 2024, shining a spotlight on vape access and use among young people in Geelong.
Junior Mayor Hteemoo Yohellaymusaw presented the report at Tuesday’s Council Meeting, detailing the committee’s progress and achievements since their last quarterly report, and provided advice for Council’s consideration.
The report outlines the Youth Council’s consultations and presentations from March to May, including informing Barwon Health’s ‘Be Smoke Free’ campaign, and advising on a tailored approach to address vape use among young people.
Youth Council put forward three pieces of advice for Council’s consideration regarding increased measures to monitor vape and tobacco stores across Geelong.
The report also details a presentation received from local organisation ‘Read the Play’ with an overview of their new program that focuses on identifying risk taking behaviours among young people.
Youth Council members provided their feedback and advice to all guest presenters to ensure work happening across the City is youth-informed.
The report also highlights a presentation from a proud Garawa person from the Southwest Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory about the importance of Country and Acknowledging Traditional Owners. Under the presenter’s guidance, participants reflected on their personal connections to Wadawurrung Country to collectively create a shared Acknowledgment of Country. Greater Geelong
Mayor Trent Sullivan
It is great to see passionate young people who are keen to have an influence at a public level working together to represent their communities.
Their insights and advice are invaluable, and we are committed to supporting their efforts.
Junior Mayor Hteemoo Yohellaymusaw
The opportunity for the Youth Council to participate in co-design workshops with other young people from the community was a really rewarding experience.
We want to make sure the new space is accessible for everyone and meets the needs of local young people.
The Youth Council is made up of representatives aged between 12 and 17 years from each of the four Council wards: Bellarine, Brownbill, Kardinia and Windermere.
Youth Council participants prepare a quarterly report which contains advice for Council’s consideration. Youth Council meetings occur monthly at City Hall, and participants access mentoring sessions with Councillors via the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program (CCMP) on a quarterly basis.
The City of Greater Geelong Youth Council Advisory Committee launched in 2019 and provides opportunities for young people to participate in and learn about civic and democratic processes as well as providing a mechanism for Council to seek and receive advice and input from young people about youth-specific issues.
The second Youth Council report can be viewed on our website.
