MEET THE 2026 MACKAY YOUTH COUNCIL CANDIDATES

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Young people across Mackay are putting their hands up to represent their peers, with candidates for the 2026 Mackay Youth Council sharing their ideas, passions and priorities for the region’s future.  

From mental health and inclusion to sport, creative opportunities and safer public spaces, here is a look at what each candidate hopes to achieve:

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GRACE O’NEILL

“For Mackay’s Youth — May Belonging Be Ever in Your Favour”

Grace is passionate about belonging and youth empowerment, enjoying instrumental music, Irish dancing, Just Dance and long runs with Hugo. She wants to make mental health and wellbeing support easier to access and more normal to discuss, while helping teenagers find their identity and future direction through practical workshops, safe spaces and mentoring.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, safety, inclusion and belonging.

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KATELYN RANOLA

“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility, Empower Our Youth!”

A keen reader and baker who enjoys movies and spending time with friends, Katelyn wants young people to have safe spaces where they feel comfortable and secure, whatever they may be facing. She also wants them to have a voice in the issues and causes they care about.

Priorities: Young people having a say, safety, inclusion and belonging.

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ADELAIDE KELLY

“Our Lives, Our Decisions, Our Voice”

Adelaide enjoys music, spending time with friends and being around her pets. She wants more safe spaces where Mackay’s young people can be themselves, feel comfortable and connect with others who may be experiencing similar situations.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, young people having a say, inclusion and belonging.

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KINITH ATTANAYAKE

“Choose Air, Choose Your Future”

Kinith enjoys basketball, swimming and cricket, alongside academic challenges such as Opti-MINDS and AMC. His campaign focuses on changing perceptions of vaping, helping young people recognise outside influences and make their own informed choices.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, safety, inclusion and belonging.

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MISHA PALOD

“Our Minds Matter”

Misha loves reading, writing and watching movies with friends. She wants to encourage young people to slow down and talk about mental health, working with Council and other young people to establish community activities and youth spaces focused on wellbeing, connection and creativity.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, young people having a say, arts, culture and events.

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CHARLOTTE HANCOCK

“Bringing Everyone Together at the Blue River”

Charlotte enjoys netball, animals and the outdoors. She wants to create more opportunities for young people to get creative and connect through kids’ markets, school holiday sports gala days and movie nights at the Blue River.

Priorities: Parks and public spaces, fun creative events for young people.

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JAYDEN WONG

“No One Walks Alone”

Jayden enjoys basketball, spending time with friends and playing musical instruments. He wants to help create a safe, inclusive Mackay where younger people can access the mental health and wellbeing support they need, particularly when facing hardship.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, safety, inclusion and belonging.

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ARYA

“Arya’s the Name, Making Change Is the Game!”

Passionate about singing, drama and musical theatre, Arya wants young people to lead awareness, change and support initiatives. Her proposed Little Backpack Project would be a youth-led campaign providing essential and comfort items for children entering foster care.

Priorities: Safety, young people having a say, youth-led awareness campaigns.

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OLLIE DALGLISH

“Hear the Youth. Heal the Youth.”

Ollie loves musical theatre, is learning guitar and enjoys spending time with friends. He wants young people to have more comfortable, relatable ways to talk about their problems and anxiety.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, safety, inclusion and belonging.

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ELLA

“Empowering Every Endeavour: Ella’s Open Opportunities”

Ella enjoys books, spending time with friends and being with her dog. She wants to help young people prepare for future life experiences, from moving away from home to getting a first job, building confidence and independence along the way.

Priority: Giving young people more opportunities.

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MEET THE 2026 MACKAY YOUTH COUNCIL CANDIDATES

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KAYDEN

“Sports for All, Costs Must Fall!”

A fan of football, outdoor activities, Minecraft and his PS5, Kayden wants to make sport more affordable. He hopes to encourage healthier lifestyles by lowering the cost of sporting activities and giving Mackay’s young people a stronger voice.

Priorities: Sport and recreation, young people having a say, cost of living.

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ROBERT JONES

“Pay Goes Down, Bills Go Round, Stand Your Ground”

Robert enjoys singing, animals and spending time with friends. He wants to inspire creative young people in Mackay and beyond to share their thoughts and showcase their creativity.

Priorities: Mental health and wellbeing, arts, culture and events, cost of living.

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LOGAN IVORY

“Guess Who’s Back, Back Again, Logan’s Back, Tell a Friend”

Logan enjoys basketball, athletics, fitness, playing drums and piano, painting, community involvement and spending time with his dog Mickey. He wants to create inclusive opportunities through creative arts, sport and fun activities where all young people are welcome.

Priorities: Arts, culture and events, sport and recreation, inclusion and belonging.

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GRACE WINTERTON

“We Are the Change”

Grace loves music, debating and animals. She wants young people to feel safe, valued and involved in their community, with more youth spaces and opportunities to have their voices heard through Council.

Priorities: Arts, culture and events, young people having a say, inclusion and belonging.

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ARIZONA EVANS

“Strong Voices, Even Stronger Communities”

Arizona loves animals and is learning piano and dancing. She wants to create spaces where young people who do not usually get the chance to speak up can share ideas about improving Mackay and have those ideas considered.

Priorities: Arts, culture and events, young people having a say, parks and public spaces.

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STEPHEN MIRANDA

“Youth Out Loud Are Proud”

Stephen’s passion is music, whether playing, reviewing or composing it. He wants young people to help drive a progressive Mackay, encouraging them to speak up for what is right and have a meaningful say in their community’s future.

Priorities: Environment and climate, young people having a say, inclusion and belonging.

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CHARLOTTE SHEPPERSON

“Mackay’s Youth Shaping Tomorrow”

Charlotte enjoys netball, singing, drama and musicals. She wants to create fun, educational opportunities that allow young people to continue learning and developing outside the classroom.

Priorities: Arts, culture and events, sport and recreation, education and schools.

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CHARLOTTE RICHARDS

“Making It Better for Young People”

Charlotte enjoys sport, academics and the arts, particularly football and basketball, and loves learning new things. She wants to work with Council to provide safer places for young people in communities surrounding Mackay to connect with friends and to ensure their views help shape change.

Priorities: Young people having a say, sport and recreation, mental health and wellbeing.

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GEORGIA LITTLE-THOMPSON

“Build a Better Tomorrow, Today”

Georgia loves dance and the arts, using creativity and personal style to express herself. She wants more free, accessible third spaces where young people can socialise, create and connect. She is also passionate about the environment and educating young people about simple ways to protect it.

Priorities: Arts, culture and events, young people having a say, environment and climate.

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BLYSS MCKENNA

“Shooting Goals for the Valley”

Blyss enjoys netball, baking and spending time with friends. She wants to bring young people in the valley together through accessible social sports that everyone can play, creating more opportunities for fun and connection.

Priorities: Parks and public spaces, sport and recreation, inclusion and belonging.

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RYLEIGH LITTLE

“Better Places to Grow Up”

Ryleigh enjoys cooking, gaming and exploring. She wants to improve facilities in the outer Mackay region to help create a better place for future generations to grow up.

Priorities: Parks and public spaces, jobs and opportunities, transport.

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