Nillumbik has a new Youth Mayor and Youth Deputy Mayor following their election on Monday night.
Brianne Keogh, 24, was elected Youth Mayor and Kirra Imbriano, 17, was elected Deputy Mayor of the Nillumbik Youth Council.
The Youth Council, which is in its second year, also welcomed new members Ava Grzechnik, 16, Martina Charalambous, 15, Niamh Coffey, 15, and Rhys Warrillow, 15.
They join current Youth Councillors Bailey Cumming, Fieke van der Kamp, Indi Sandwell, Jack Linehan, Joseph Bowman, Lachlan Wadsworth, Maali Kerta-Rice, Maverick Knight, and Orianna Edmonds.
Youth Mayor Brianne Keogh, a 2022 Young Women Leaders Award winner, said leadership was not just about words, but action.
"My passions are women's leadership, safer spaces for young people and financial wellbeing," she said.
"Our Youth Council members are also passionate about sustainability, BMX tracks, all-abilities football, and having more leadership opportunities for young people.
"I would like to champion those ideas and be a voice young people can rely on."
Youth Deputy Mayor Kirra Imbriano said it was important to create a safe space for young people's ideas to be heard and respected.
"I'm really passionate about the environment, LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health and reconciliation," she said.
"This year, I hope the Youth Council can find more ways to get involved in the Nillumbik community, which was hard last year due to the lockdowns."
Nillumbik Mayor Frances Eyre congratulated the new Youth Mayor and Deputy on their appointment.
"The Youth Council are such positive role models for young people in the community, inspiring others to take the lead and follow their passions," Cr Eyre said.
"I look forward to working with you, as together we ensure the voices of young people continue to be heard in the decision making of Council.
"I would also like to thank outgoing Youth Mayor Fieke van der Kamp and Deputy Mayor Jack Linehan for their incredible leadership, dedication, passion and hard work during the inaugural year of the Youth Council."
Cr Natalie Duffy, the Councillor representative on the Youth Council, also congratulated all the members for their efforts to improve the lives of young people.
"We can all be proud of their empathy, leadership, teamwork and volunteer spirit. I love being part of this energetic group of change makers and am very pleased that Council is providing this platform to help them achieve the positive change they want to see in our community," Cr Duffy said.
The Youth Council will this year focus on implementing actions of the new Youth Strategy such as hosting a Nillumbik Youth Summit and exploring opportunities for a Youth Hub in the Shire.
Other key actions include improving access to mental health services, providing opportunities for volunteering, work experience, and employment as well as delivering live music and youth events across Nillumbik.
