Nine new Greater Bendigo Youth Councillors will be sworn in by Chief Executive Officer Craig Niemann at a meeting on Tuesday February 25, 2020.
The new Youth Councillors Amy Manderson, Grace McIntosh, Jack Smith, Liloma Qurbani, Lucy McNaughton-Perry, Remus Brasier, Shay Murphy and Xavier Rodgers. They will join existing youth councillors Annika Ritchie, Alex Libchard, Billie Taylor, Esmat Kheradyar, Jemille McKenzie, Kathryn Northill, Lilli-Rose Gemmill, Olivia Masters, Ryan Peterson and Victoria Tangey.
The new appointments follow the resignation of eight inaugural Youth Councillors to focus on their studies or employment opportunities
The Youth Council is an initiative of the current Council to engage with local young people aged between 14 and 24 in the decision making process for the future. It's also a key action in the City's Youth Strategy launched in 2018.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke said the Youth Council act as an advisory and advocacy body to Council and gives local young people a stronger voice in the community.
"The Youth Council provides a great opportunity for young people to have a stronger voice in our community, meet others with similar interests and ideas, build their leadership skills and develop the knowledge and abilities to affect change," Cr O'Rourke said.
About the new Youth Councillors:-
Amy Manderson recently completed her VCE at Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) and will begin a Diploma of Education at La Trobe Bendigo in 2020. Amy is 18 and lives in Strathfieldsaye.
Grace McIntosh attends NetSchool and is an active member of Hip Hopportunities based in Eaglehawk. She is 17and lives in Junortoun.
Jack Smith is 19 and has moved to Bendigo from Mildura to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science/ Master of Occupational Therapy. He brings experience from his time in the YMCA Victorian Youth Parliament.
Liloma Qurbani was born in Afghanistan and lived in Pakistan and India before settling in Australia in 2017. Liloma is 18 and is completing her VCE at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
Lucy McNaughton-Perry is 19 and lives in Eaglehawk. She is studying a Bachelor of Business at La Trobe University Bendigo.
Mariah Tayba moved to Bendigo from Lebanon in 2015. She has a strong passion for volunteering. 18 year old Mariah will complete her VCE at BSSC in 2020.
Remus Brasier is 15 years and lives in Quarry Hill. He is currently completing Year 10 at Girton Grammar in 2020.
Shay Murphy is completing a double degree in Business and Law at La Trobe Bendigo. Shay is 21 and lives in Maiden Gully
Xavier Rodgers is 14 and lives in Eaglehawk. He currently attends Victory Christian College.
