Blue Mountains Youth Council
Applications are now open for the Blue Mountains Youth Council 2011.
This is the Blue Mountains Youth Council’s 8th year, an ongoing commitment by Blue Mountains City Council to providing opportunities for young people to be involved with community life. the Council needs to understand how young people feel about decisions being made that affect them. It is also a chance for young people to inform the Council, to advise on what’s working, what young people’s needs are and their dreams for this city, their home.
Some of the interesting things Youth Council have been involved with have been:
- Hosting a visit from the NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, Gillian Calvert, and doing a formal consultation with the Commission on matters of youth health to inform NSW Health policy.
- Creation of a short film ‘I Can Do What You Can Do’
- Presenting to Councillors on issues relating to the Glenbrook Skatepark Facility.
- Initiating the SmartStart University Scholarship, a partnership with Blue Mountains City Council and the University of Western Sydney which aims to improve access to University of Western Sydney for young residents of the Blue Mountains.
- Representation on a number of internal and external committees including: the NSW Commission for Children and Young People’s Advisory Committee, the NSW Youth Week Committee, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Advisory Committee and most recently the NSW Youth Parliament.
- Launching a statement by young people on Climate Change and Public Transport
Here’s what some of the youth councillors have said about their experience...
Steph: Since starting youth council I have had opportunities to do so many things for the Blue Mountains area. I have had the chance to talk to the Blue Mountains City Council about issues that I feel strongly about. I have learned how to run meetings, to be more open about what I find are issues for kids my age and I’ve learned how to interact with people I have never met before. I really enjoy the monthly meetings where we chat and discuss things we want to talk about. I have also enjoyed meeting different people that are part of Council and the general public. I really appreciate all the work Jo does for us and all thing she offers to us. Youth Council is a great thing to join and it a good way to make a difference and to meet new people.
James: Youth Council opened up so many opportunities for leadership development and for education in sustainability. I got to go to Powershift run by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and Youth Lead run by Oz Green. The Blue Mountains Youth Environment Summit was a great experience. I've really enjoyed meeting lots of enthusiastic young people and listening to their perspective on issues.
Trey:Throughout my run as a Youth Council representative I have had many opportunities I would not otherwise have been given. I’ve had the opportunity to run activities, facilitate conferences and to present ideas to the wider community from the perspective of the youth of the Mountains. Being a Youth Council Representative has also allowed me to make many friendships with a bunch of cool people. Also… FREE FOOD!
For information kit and application form go to : www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/yourcouncil/youthcouncil
If you would like more information contact Joanna Brown on (02) 47805680, or email
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 25 FEBRUARY 2011.
This item was posted in February 2011.
