The City of Greater Bendigo’s Youth Council have elected Victoria Tangey as the 2022 Youth Mayor and Ryan Peterson and Remus Brasier as Deputy Youth Mayors.
The Youth Council is a strategic advisory and advocacy committee of 18 young people whose role is to represent the voice of young people aged between 14 and 24 who live, work and/or study in the City of Greater Bendigo.
The Youth Council provides input to Council policies, plans, strategies and projects; provides a voice for young people in Greater Bendigo; promotes young people as valuable citizens who make positive contributions to the community and provides opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills.
The City’s current Youth Council has now commenced the second year of its current two-year term and at their first meeting for 2022 have also welcomed five new members – Alicia Bertani, Brandon Trickey, Emma Clayton, Sean Cox and Xavier Gerdsen-Underhill.
Youth Mayor Victoria Tangey said she was excited to undertake the role of Youth Mayor and thanked outgoing Youth Mayor Jack Smith for his leadership and contribution to the Youth Council in 2021.
“I am honoured to be appointed the Youth Mayor for 2022 and I’m thrilled to be working with two very capable Deputy Youth Mayors in Ryan Peterson and Remus Brasier,” Victoria Tangey said.
“The 2022 Youth Council is made up of 18 extremely capable, diligent, and accomplished young people who have so much to contribute to the wider community. I’m looking forward to mentoring and learning from my colleagues. I’m so proud to be leading such a community minded, driven team.
“We are extremely proud of what we achieved in the first year of this Youth Council term and are keen to build on that achievement in 2022.
“A noteworthy outcome in 2021 was advocating for the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Health and Wellbeing Plan (2021 -2025). This work has shown us the level of impact we can have on the community and advocacy will continue to be a key area of work for the Youth Council in 2022.
“This year we will broaden our engagement with youth around Greater Bendigo to ensure we are advocating for issues that are important to local young people and we are looking forward to providing input into City projects such as the Managed Growth Strategy and Draft Healthy Facilities Policy.
“We are making real contributions to community and strategies that will impact Greater Bendigo for years to come.”
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said Council is looking forward to working with the Youth Council in 2022.
“The first three years of the Youth Council have been very successful with Youth Councillors providing input into over 30 City plans, strategies, policies and projects, including the Council Plan 2021-2025, Healthy Greater Bendigo 2021-2025 plan and the Kangaroo Flat Skate Park project.
“They have also represented young people on over ten advisory and steering committees including the Creative City of Gastronomy Advisory Committee, the Bendigo Safe Community Forum and the City’s Economic Development Strategy.
“The Youth Council will represent the views of young people on City plans and programs that impact them and advise the City’s Mayor and Councillors. They will also represent young people at civic events and activities.”
