With some members moving on for education and career opportunities several vacancies have become available on the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council and the City is calling on young people interested in having a stronger voice in their community to apply.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council is one year into its current two-year term and is keen to hear from local young people aged between 14 and 24 who want to fill positions on the Youth Council.
“We are looking for young people who want to represent other young people and their views on a range of matters,” Cr Metcalf said.
“The Youth Council is an initiative to engage with local young people in the decision-making process for the future. It also fulfils 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.
“The first five years of the Youth Council has been very successful with Youth Councillors providing input into nearly 50 City plans, strategies, policies, and projects.
“The Youth Council has had input into the Council Plan 2021-2025, Healthy Greater Bendigo 2021-2025, Healthy Facilities Policy, Social Justice Framework 2022-2032, Zero Emissions Roadmap, Biodiversity Strategy, LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and the Progress Pride Flag mural project as well as co-designing and overseeing the development of the City’s Youth Action Plan 2023-2024.
“They have represented young people on over ten advisory and steering committees including the Creative City of Gastronomy Advisory Committee, the Bendigo Safe Community Forum, Farming and Agribusiness Advisory Committee, Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration Committee, Arts and Creative Industries Advisory Committee and the City’s Economic Development Strategy Committee.
“Youth Councillors have also represented young people at civic events and activities such as the National Volunteer Week Morning Tea and The IDAHOBIT Flag raising ceremony.”
Greater Bendigo’s 2023 Youth Mayor Ryan Peterson said if young people are passionate about advocacy, youth voice and leadership then Youth Council may be the perfect opportunity for them.
“It’s a great way to learn how the City of Greater Bendigo works, and how you can influence its policies and processes. For me, Youth Council has been a cornerstone of my journey as a young person and has even lead to new career aspirations.
“Being a Youth Councillor has taught me that young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they are leading today.”
Expressions of Interest for a 12-month period are now open and will close on Monday November 13, 2023.
The new Youth Councillors will undertake induction and training in January 2024, meet the Mayor and Councillors and attend their first meeting in February 2024.