General News
8 July, 2024
Ripon Youth Council launched
Three local students will have their voices amplified after securing a spot on the Ripon Youth Advisory Council, which officially launched last month. On June 27, around a dozen young people, including the Central Goldfields Shire’s Elizabeth...
Three local students will have their voices amplified after securing a spot on the Ripon Youth Advisory Council, which officially launched last month.
On June 27, around a dozen young people, including the Central Goldfields Shire’s Elizabeth Lewington, Rosie Dew-Bownds, and Angelica Flores, attended the council’s first meeting — headed by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
Selections were based off of nominations provided by high schools, and self-nominations from interested young people too.
As a part of the newly formed body, the 11 students, hailing from across the electorate, will have the opportunity to:
• Meet with local councillors, ministers, and not-for-profit CEOs about issues they have nominated as being of interest.
• Take a leadership role in developing their own community-based initiatives focused on key issues to young people.
• Participate in policy consultations on major government initiatives, as well as develop their own policy suggestions.
“It is important for young people to have an outlet like this that allows them to share their ideas and feel heard because we are the future, so we should be able to have a say in what our world will look like,” advisory council member Elizabeth said.
“I believe things such as the youth advisory committee are exactly what we need to shape us into tomorrow’s leaders, as they provide a space for young people to share their ideas.”
Ms Haylett added that she was struck by the passion of young people, such as Elizabeth, across the region and wanted to give the next generation of leaders a voice on local issues and matters that impact them.
“Our first meeting was fantastic, with so many great ideas shared. In future meetings, members of the advisory council will get more opportunities to develop their leadership skills and understanding of how government works,” she said.
The Ripon Youth Council will meet four times over the next twelve months, and the final meeting will include a tour of the Victorian Parliament, as well as a meeting with Victorian Ministers about local issues across the Ripon electorate.