Junior Mayor Farzana Hussaini and Junior Deputy Mayor Ashley Delaney made history by becoming Greater Geelong's first all-female Youth Council leadership team.
Farzana and Ashley, both 15, became the Youth Council's first female leadership duo when they were voted into both Junior Mayor and Deputy positions by their fellow youth councillors on Thursday night.
Farzana and Ashley join Mayor Stephanie Asher and Deputy Kylie Grzybek in an all-female power group at the City, holding all four mayoral positions in Council and Youth Council for the first time in Greater Geelong history.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher became the second female to hold the Mayor title when elected in October 2019, since the City's establishment in 1993.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek joined Councillor Asher as Deputy Mayor to become the City's first all-female leadership team.
Farzana and Ashley will follow in Councillor Asher's and Councillor Grzybek's footsteps and will guide the Youth Council as they tackle issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing in young people, social and community connections, and capability; such as skill development, education, and employment.
Councillor Stephanie Asher - Mayor
It's great to see more young women getting the opportunity to lead and share their ideas. The Deputy Mayor and I are looking forward to working with Farzana and Ashley, who are intelligent and passionate.
I think the results of the council and youth council elections are reflective of a welcome shift in society towards giving a voice to more strong, capable women.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek - Deputy Mayor
Stephanie and I are excited to be joined by Farzana and Ashley, who I'm sure will advocate strongly over the next year for young people across Greater Geelong.
I feel really encouraged to see more women in leadership positions, not just in our region, but across Victoria and the nation. Governments, businesses and organisations benefit substantially from empowering and supporting female employees.
