Junior Mayor Ayush Singh has highlighted the many events, opportunities and meetings that the 2025 Youth Council has taken part in over the last four months.
The Youth Council is made up of 11 young people, aged 12 to 17 at the time of nomination, who were elected to the City's Youth Council Advisory Committee as the region's official 'youth voice'.
The Junior Mayor presented the Youth Council's second report to Council at this week's meeting, detailing the committee's progress and achievements since their last report, including:
- Active involvement in shaping and promoting the 2025 Geelong Youth Survey, which received a massive 3,772 contributions and the biggest response from young people for a City-led engagement.
- Contributed feedback on a range of City strategies and projects including the Council Plan, Integrated Transport Plan, the Promoting CHANGE (Community Health and Nutrition Engagement) project, the Geelong Nature Festival, and Open Space, Public Realm, Public Art, and Community Health and Wellbeing strategies.
- Meaningful conversations with councillors through the Councillor Connect Mentoring Program, discussing fees and charges in the Draft 2025-26 Budget, housing, transport, vaping, and public safety.
- Shadowed councillors at a Community Conversations event held at The Nest Youth Hub, offering real-world insight into their roles and responsibilities.
- Learned about democratic processes in Victoria at a presentation from the Victorian Electoral Commission, with a highlight being an interactive activity that demonstrated how preferential voting works.
In previous years, the Youth Council gave advice and recommendations to Council in its mid-year reports. This year, the advice will be incorporated into the final report to give members more time to develop a deeper understanding of the issues they are advising on. This time will ensure their advice fully reflects the perspectives of local young people.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Our Youth Council members are really capable and represent the diverse perspectives of their peers across the region.Councillors enjoy sharing our learnings with them but also hearing from the horse's mouth what is affecting young people in the Geelong region.
Junior Mayor Singh
I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Youth Council so far.I have the opportunity to speak with my fellow Youth Council members about issues prevalent in our community and influence real change to better improve the lives of youth in Greater Geelong.
This has been an incredible chance for me to share what I feel affects people the most and to provide my own perspective on the decisions being made.
These experiences have not only built my skills but also given me valuable experience that I will carry with me throughout my life.
For the rest of the year, I'm excited to explore new opportunities I can be part of, and to watch the Youth Council grow together.
I can't wait to see the change we create and to inspire more young people to get involved.
