Capel looks to youth to help shape future

Young Capel shire residents with aspirations to shape the future of their towns are being encouraged to join the first Youth Collective group.

The group will lead initiatives to improve the wellbeing of youth in the shire, bring youth issues to the council and provide researched examples to improve services and programs for young people.

Youth development officer Chloerissa Eadie said the aim was to bring together a core group of potential young leaders to become the voice for youth in the community.

“We are looking to get a core group together in Capel and Dalyellup to be the driver of projects and events which are coming up,” Miss Eadie said.

“In Capel it’s the Capel Civic Precinct we are going to have open at the end of the year, so we want to have a group of young people who want to come up with ideas to run events and put issues to council as well.

“For Dalyellup, its going to be all about the skatepark and then the multi-purpose centre that is coming over there.

“There are a lot of young people that live in this town and it’s about engaging them.”

Miss Eadie said the group would also have a hand in designing the proposed Capel Youth Centre.

Karen Wilson’s daughters Sophie and Emily took part in the Youth Drama Club which was set up last year and looked forward to their progression into the Youth Collective.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” she said.

“They get to meet kids from other schools and make friendships with children in different year groups which is really good.

“Lots of kid in group have plenty of potential as leaders, whether its leading events or parts of an event, they are very independent.”

Students in Years 6 to 12 are encouraged to get involved, with information sessions to be held at the Capel Community Centre on February 27 and the Dalyellup Community Centre on March 1, both from 3.30pm to 5pm.