It’s an Australian first that could prove Mackay’s future to be in the safest of hands.
21 Mackay residents between the ages of 11 and 17 are campaigning to be on the Mackay region’s Youth Council, with Mackay Regional Council being the first in Australia to partner with Foundation for Young Australians and adopt the Young Mayors program.
The young candidates came together last week for their first Town Hall meeting, where they shared their vision for the region ahead of elections in May.
“In the next few weeks, we’ll be holding our first ever Young Mayors election held in a variety of locations, so schools, libraries and the Jubilee Community Centre for 11–17-year-olds to place their vote to help shape who will be representing the youth council in Mackay,” said Young Mayors Program Assistant for Mackay, Savannah Vella.
A council of 12 will ultimately be elected and given the tools and access to present to council and potentially influence change within the region.
“Just based on their passion alone, I feel like some great things are going to come out of this program,” Ms Vella said.
Mayor of Mackay Regional Council Greg Williamson said he is proud of Mackay for being the first in Australia to adopt the Young Mayors program.
“We know out of this will come a voice for young people in Mackay around our table and I think we’re going to hear a really loud voice,” he said.
“We’ve got 21 young people saying, ‘We are youth leaders in this community, we’ve got a voice that’s going to be heard by your local council, by local people in the elected environment, and that voice will mean something.’”
11-year-old Stephen Miranda feels passionately about youth mental health, focusing his campaign on a proposed app providing access between youth and support services.
“There’s not enough access to current services for youth mental health around Mackay,” Stephen said.
“I just hope that one day, adolescents will be able to feel confident in who they are.”
Similarly, fellow 11-year-old Farrah Hamilton hopes to assist in making the region better through restoration projects, street art, and performance spaces addressing the needs of the youth.
“I think it’s important that we all embrace who we are … but we have to work together to make the best possible future,” Farrah said.
Farrah’s advice to other young people is to “give it a shot and do your best”.
“We’re all different and we all have our different areas of strength, but it is important to try anything that comes up at you so you can find out what you are good at and where you belong,” she said.
21 young people presented to councillors, family, and peers at last week’s first Young Mayors program Town Hall meeting. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council
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