Twelve young people have been chosen to serve as the official ‘youth voice’ to Council for 2021, as
the third Youth Council was inducted last Thursday.
The 12 young people of the 2021 Youth Council act as an official advisory committee to Council, with three members representing each of the four wards.
Junior members were chosen from more than 100 nominees, all aged between 12 and 17, by
members of youth advisory groups in their respective wards.
Acting Mayor Trent Sullivan congratulated the new members while acknowledging the important
work achieved by Youth Council over its first two years.
“Over the past two years we’ve seen how important it is to have a youth voice informing Council on
the issues impacting young people in the region,” Cr Sullivan said.
“A big thanks to the 2020 Youth Council members for their work over the past 12 months and a
warm welcome and congratulations to the incoming members.
“I have no doubt these young people will do an incredible job representing their peers and I look
forward to hearing their insights throughout the year.”
The 2021 Youth Council members are:
Bellarine Ward
Emma Pape, 14
Mackenzie Sinclair, 15
Maria Glass, 15
Brownbill Ward
Charlotte Hawkins, 13
Elliot Nicholas, 17
Minnie Dacres-Mannings, 17
Kardinia Ward
Eva Maria Gee, 13
Madeline Grace, 16
Nieve Smart, 15
Windermere Ward
Emily Rogers, 12
Ezra James Uebergang, 17
Lilly Madden, 12
Youth Council members meet once a month and provide a youth perspective to Council as they
advise on important issues like services, health, environment and inclusion.
Junior members will work closely with councillors in their respective wards as part of the Councillor
Connect Mentoring program, which leads to improved leadership skills, a better understanding of
local government and greater confidence in the young people participating.
The first meeting for the 2021 Youth Council will take place on Monday 1 February, where the junior
members will set their key priorities for the year ahead.
Previous years saw mental health and wellbeing, environment and sustainability and safe and
accessible communities put in the spotlight.
Youth Council will report to Council quarterly on activities undertaken by the advisory committee,
provide advice, solutions and ‘clever and creative’ ideas, with the first report due in March.
Junior members are also involved in the annual Geelong Youth Awards and, in previous years, have
played an important role in leading projects for young people such as a local Youth Summit.
