Corangamite Shire Youth Council is raring to go after recent elections with a packed range of projects to get the Shire's young people involved.
At a recent Youth Council Meeting Tess Lourey was re-elected Youth Mayor, Jordy Gray re-elected Deputy Youth Mayor and Olivia Winsall returned as Environmental Officer.
Tess said The Corangamite Youth Crew was excited about getting young people engaged after a year disrupted by coronavirus.
"We had great online engagement which is fantastic. We had 1338 viewers for YouthFest in 2020. Our live engage went through the roof in 2020. This year we're looking forward to bringing YouthFest back to its in-person format and providing opportunities for supportive personal interaction," she said.
"'Youth Edition' is another big priority. It's going to be very cool. It's a magazine that will be online and print. It's going to focus on all the different things young people do in the Shire—from sport to music and everything in between.
"It was born from young people not knowing what a service was. It will help with knowing where to go if they need medical help, social connections or mental health support. It's really building on what came out of the SYNC youth strategy we developed in 2020. It will build on what we've discovered by talking to young people about what they need, and putting that into action."
Jordy said her experience in Youth Council had been very enjoyable and filled with opportunities for growth and positive change.
"My aim for the next term is to give the Corangamite youth the most resources possible, so that they can have a vast range of opportunities—social, skill-based, occupational, etc—to advance them; as well as, feel as though they have a team of people in the Youth Crew that will listen to the community's voice, and act upon it to the best of our ability.
"Youth Council is an amazing opportunity to meet new people, from all over our shire that are passionate, enthusiastic and like-minded."
Olivia said being on Youth Council was an amazing experience.
"You make so many new friends and learn so much," she said.
"I aim to help people become more educated about the environment and how to help save it."
Council representative to Youth Council Cr Kate Makin said Youth Council played a vital role in the Shire.
"It gives our young people the opportunity to advise Council about issues that concern them," Cr Makin said.
"It's important that young people in the community have their opinions heard at local government level so we can provide the services and investments they need to be happy, healthy, and engaged contributors to community life.
"The Youth Crew is a knowledge base for council officers and provides an official channel to connect young people and those of us who can support them in their aspirations."
