Nominations for the 2025 City of Greater Geelong Youth Council open next week.
Youth council is the official ‘youth voice’ of Geelong and plays a vital role in helping council understand the priorities of young people across the region.
The Youth Council is made up of 11 young people, aged between 12 and 17, who act as an advisory committee to council.
Previous Youth Councils have led the way on issues affecting young people, such as the harm caused by vaping.
Separate Youth Councils have worked over three years to advocate for a youth hub in central Geelong.
The 2022 and 2023 Youth Councils played central roles in progressing the project, while the 2024 group has been very active in the design process.
The project has received $400,000 in funding from the Victorian government for a pilot program, and construction of the hub will begin in September 2024.
An extensive Council engagement process received feedback from more than 1000 people, almost all of whom were aged between 12 and 25.
Based on these contributions, the hub will feature:
• an open plan area for socialising and group activities, which could also be set up with spaces for gaming and quiet time;
• a multi-purpose room suitable for a range of creative uses such as music and art;
• a kitchen able to host cooking classes; and
• an accessible bathroom.
The creation of the youth hub is a fantastic result made possible by the three past Youth Councils. It is an excellent example of the incredible work young people can achieve when given the opportunity.
Alongside representing their peers, Youth Council members are provided training and development opportunities and are invited to participate in the Councillor Connect Mentoring program.
I have been so inspired by the passion, commitment, and brilliant ideas of our youth councillors and working with them through the mentoring program has been one of the highlights on my calendar.
To be eligible, nominees must live in the City of Greater Geelong local government area, be aged between 12 and 17 at the time of nomination, be able to attend 80 per cent of monthly meetings and participate in a three-day Youth Council induction in mid-late January 2025.
Nominations open next Monday, 12 August, and I am excited to see the next group of outstanding young leaders put themselves forward to serve as Geelong’s next ‘youth voice’.
If you or someone you know has what is interested, I urge you to nominate yourself or them at geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t yet, please consider having your say in creating the City of Greater Geelong’s next Council Plan.
The Council Plan is renewed every four years and is the key document outlining council’s priorities and goals for that period.
It guides decisions on how and where council invests in facilities and infrastructure and what services and programs are needed to support the region’s social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Community engagement sessions are planned at venues across the Bellarine, where you are invited to share your feedback on the plan directly with council officers.
The sessions will be held on Saturday 7 September, at the below times and locations:
Barwon Heads – Frank Ellis Reserve Playground, 2-60 Flinders Parade, 9am-10am.
Drysdale – Boronggook Drysdale Library forecourt, 2-8 Wyndham Street, 10.30am-11.30am.
Portarlington – Portarlington Rotunda, Newcombe Street, 12.30pm-1.30pm.
By contributing to the Council Plan 2025-29, you will help address critical challenges and seize opportunities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
For more information or to complete the survey, visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CP202529 before 16 September 2024.
