has presented the 2021 City of Greater Geelong Youth Council's fourth and final report, offering input on a range of topics from mental health to support for the local Afghan community.
The Youth Council's report also outlines its progress and achievements since September, and shares advice on areas of importance to young people including youth traineeships, alcohol access and makeshift bike jumps.
Junior Mayor Nicholas detailed the numerous activities and panel opportunities provided during the past three months to Youth Council members to "give their perspective on issues they care about".
Junior Mayor Nicholas was one of 12 people, aged 12 to 17, elected to the City's Youth Council Advisory Committee (Youth Council), for a 12-month term to provide the region's official "youth voice", with three representatives from each Council ward: Bellarine, Brownbill, Kardinia and Windermere.
Youth Council members met monthly as a group, contributed to Monash University's YourGround safety mapping survey and the Growing Up in Geelong Study with Deakin University this quarter, and were involved in the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program with their ward councillors.
Nominations closed last month for the 2022 Youth Council and the 12 members of the new junior council will be announced in January.
Elliot Nicholas - Junior Mayor
Youth Council has also been involved in the development of social media posts for RUOK Day, World Suicide Prevention Day and promoting healthy Covid-19 messaging to young people.
Youth Council members hope that they have been able to use their platform to spread positive messages and connect young people with important information to support them throughout this challenging year.
We would like to thank Councillors for their advice, guidance, and time spent mentoring Youth Council members in the CCMP sessions across the year.
It has been a great privilege to hold the position of Junior Mayor, and all Youth Council members would agree that the time spent on Youth Council has helped inspire members to continue on their journey as leaders and as advocates for the needs of young people.
Councillor Stephanie Asher - Mayor
I applaud the Youth Council on its commitment, particularly during another challenging year, and thanked the members for their valuable advice and insight into how the Council could further support young people across Greater Geelong.
I sincerely thank the Youth Council members for their involvement in the program and their fantastic contribution to their community and the Council's work.
We greatly appreciate and respect the Junior Council members' ideas on how the Council can help tackle really tough issues such as youth suicide, and their encouragement of Council projects like new bike trails and advocacy for the Afghan community.
Making sure young people have a voice is a priority for our Council, and the Youth Council members have shared their thoughts on how we can expand that connection with our younger residents, which is really important.
Councillor Sarah Mansfield - Chair of the Diversity, Inclusion and LGBTIQ+ portfolio
The contribution of this year's Youth Council will be a key consideration in the Council's ongoing decision-making.
The mentoring sessions and quarterly reports from the Youth Council members have been a highlight for me, particularly when you look at the key issues they have raised.
We have listened to their perspectives and took their ideas onboard during their term and will use this insight with looking at how we can provide support for all ages across our diverse community.
Our Youth Council of 2021 should be very proud of its achievements and the excellent example it has provided for the new Youth Council elected to serve next year.
