The City of Greater Bendigo is keen to hear from local young people aged between 14 and 24 who want to have a stronger voice in their community and are interested in being part of the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the City is looking for several local young people to fill vacancies on the Youth Council for the second half of the 2025-2026 term.
"We want to hear from young people who want to represent young people and share their views on a range of matters," Cr Metcalf said.
"The Youth Council represents the views of young people on a range of City plans and programs that impact them and represents young people at civic and other events and activities. It also fulfils a key goal of the Council Plan 2025-2029 to ensure young people thrive and are empowered to lead.
"In the seven years of Youth Council, Youth Councillors have contributed to nearly 60 City plans, strategies, policies and projects. They have also co-designed and overseen the development of the City's Youth Action Plan and have represented young people on a number of other committees.
"I encourage young people from all backgrounds and walks of life to consider applying for Youth Council so that the voices of all young people can be reflected and heard."
Greater Bendigo Youth Mayor Levity Camilleri said that it is incredibly important for young people to have agency to shape their future and that the Youth Council offers a unique opportunity to do so.
"It has been a great experience to feel heard and respected as a young person. Being in Youth Council has given me the confidence to speak up about issues that are too often ignored or restricted to 'adult topics'." Levity Camilleri said.
"Youth Council is a truly transformative experience and an amazing opportunity to learn about different perspectives and topics. I feel like a better person every time I leave a Youth Council meeting and I'm always proud to see the progress that we've helped to make in the community."
The City is looking for young people aged from 14 to 24 to participate for a one-year term.
The new Youth Councillors will undertake induction and training in January and attend their first meeting in February 2026.
