The City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council has commenced a two-year term with ten new, and eight returning Youth Councillors for 2025-2026.
New Youth Councillors Annie Dalton, Ella Filsell, Freiya O'Connor, Heather Bell, Lea Bursac, Leila Bennett, Lucas Thredgold, Mollie Hartje, Rafferty Brasier, and Rose Norton - have joined returning Youth Councillors Aidan Sanders, Alyssa Beaton, Amelia Westbrook, Bailey Dolan, Hamish Knight, Levity Camilleri, Moon Vincent, and Rohan Tyler.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the Youth Council met this week with Levity Camilleri elected Youth Mayor and Alyssa Beaton and Bailey Dolan installed as Deputy Mayors.
"I would like to welcome both new and returning Youth Councillors and congratulate our new Youth Mayor Levity Camilleri and our Deputy Youth Mayors Alyssa Beaton and Bailey Dolan," Cr Metcalf said.
"The Youth Council is an initiative to engage with local young people in the City's decision-making process for the future and Council is again looking forward to working with the Youth Council in 2025.
"The Youth Council represents the views of young people on City plans, policies and programs that impact them and represent young people at civic events and activities such as the National Volunteer Week Morning Tea and the IDAHOBIT Flag raising ceremony.
"It also contributes to a key goal of the City's Council Plan 2021-2025 to ensure young people are supported to explore, engage and be empowered to shape the world they live in."
2025 Youth Mayor Levity Camilleri said they are incredibly grateful for the trust placed in them as Youth Mayor.
"I am honoured to be working with such a driven and passionate group of young people. I have gained so much more from Youth Council than I've contributed, and I look forward to the opportunity to give back to this community, Levity Camilleri said.
"I want to thank all the past and current Youth Councillors for their support through my leadership journey.
"In 2025 the Youth Council is excited to provide input into the City's youth programs and continue to provide a youth perspective on City plans and strategies, including the Council Plan 2025/2029 and the new Health and Wellbeing Plan."
The Youth Council is starting its seventh year. The first six years of the Youth Council have been very successful with Youth Councillors providing input into over 50 City plans, strategies, policies, and projects, including the Council Plan 2021-2025, the Zero Emissions Roadmap, the Biodiversity Strategy, the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, the Fair Access Action Plan, the E-scooter trial, and the Managed Growth Strategy. Youth Councillors also co-designed and oversaw the development of the City's Youth Action Plan.
They have also represented young people on several advisory committees including the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration, the Arts and Creative Industries Advisory Committee, and the Heritage Advisory Committee.
