City’s youth play a big role

Bunbury’s long-awaited youth precinct and the popular annual Shift Youth Festival are impressive initiatives being driven by the region’s youngest residents.

Bunbury City Council is calling on passionate young people, who want to make a difference and perhaps drive similar projects, to join the Youth Advisory Council.

Nominations are now open for people aged between 12 and 25 with 14 spots available, including the position of Youth Mayor.

Youth Mayor Sean Smith said being a part of YAC gave members the opportunity to empower young people to have a voice in the community.

“Our vision is celebrating and advocating young people and their communities,” Mr Smith said.

“I would encourage anyone with ideas, initiative and a desire to represent Bunbury youth to apply and to support our mission which is to challenge expectations and assumptions, activate places and spaces and empower young people to have a voice.”

In recent months, the young council has been pivotal in progressing plans for a youth precinct in the city.

Bunbury City Council hosted a leadership event yesterday when about 60 students from five different schools took part in workshops and networking.

Alpha Motivation founder and 2018 WA Youth Ambassador David Castelanelli led the event, which City of Bunbury youth and activation community partnership officer Danika Wellington said was an opportunity to promote how young people could get involved.

“It’s also an opportunity to network – I think it’s really important to network with other schools,” Ms Wellington said.

YAC applicants can nominate for a two-year term starting October, 2019 and can be residents of Bunbury or within the shires of Capel, Dardanup or Harvey.

Applications close on September 13.