Eight young people put their hand up and delivered a candidate speech for the 2023 Junior Mayor position at Monday's Youth Council Induction held at the Council Chamber at City Hall.
Irene Mulilo has been elected by her peers for the top job, to represent the advisory committee in the Junior Mayor position.
Aleena Eftikhari was elected to support Irene in her role as Deputy Junior Mayor, as the City of Greater Geelong welcomed its 2023 Youth Council.
Comprising of 12 young people, aged between 12 and 17 years old, the Youth Council Advisory Committee will act as an official advisory committee to Council.
The Youth Council contains three representatives from each of the four council wards: Bellarine, Brownbill, Kardinia and Windermere, with Monday's induction session signalling the formal beginning of their 12-month term.
A term spent on Youth Council provides opportunities for young people to participate in, and learn about civic and democratic processes, along with providing an opportunity for Council to seek and receive advice and input from young people about youth specific issues.
From February onwards, the Youth Council members will meet once a month in the City Chamber to hear presentations, give their input and advice to guests and discuss topics important to young people.
Youth Council also participate in the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program, a twofold program where members receive mentoring from Councillors, and provide a platform where members set the agenda to discuss issues that are important to them.
These conversations then inform the recommendations and advice provided to Council in their quarterly reports and culminates in a speech presented by the Junior Mayor at a Council meeting summarising the report.
The Youth Council members for 2023 are:
Bellarine
Maximilian Thompson (12)
Kirrily McConachy (17)
Leyla Cefai (12)
Brownbill
Rebekah Zutt (16)
Ruen Roach (16)
Irene Mulilo (17)
Kardinia
Georgie Tigani (17)
Anastasia Keller (16)
Simoné De Koning (16)
Windermere
Ali Agha Walizada (15)
Aleena Eftikhari (16)
Ashton Stonehouse (15)
Mayor Trent Sullivan
I welcome the new Youth Council members and congratulate them on their commitment to representing their peers across the municipality.
Recognising these 12 young people is the first formal step in their journey of understanding about the democratic process as they have been elected by their peers to represent the views of young people.
