Our Youth Parliament team ready to tackle the big issues
Published on 23 May 2018
The six young people who will represent Mildura at this year’s YMCA Youth Parliament have been revealed.
Matt Golding, Hannah Jackson, Georgia Leutner, Alexander Libchard, Jack Smith and Bryce Watson will make up Mildura’s Youth Parliament team that will travel to Melbourne to participate in this year’s program.
The YMCA Youth Parliament initiative is designed to give young people aged 16 to 25 a chance to be heard at the highest levels of State Government.
Mildura Rural City Councillor for Community Wellbeing and Services Min Poole said it was encouraging to see such an impressive group representing our region.
“The enthusiastic response from our young people shows they really do care and think about issues that are important to our region,” Cr Poole said.
“And by nominating for this year’s program, it also shows they’re willing to stand up and do something about the issues they’re passionate about.”
The YMCA Youth Parliament program will see the Mildura team research and develop a Bill, which they’ll debate in the Victorian Parliament over three days in July.
The Mildura team has already started work on its Bill – the Out of Home Care Support Reform Bill – in which the team is recommending that all young people in State care (encompassing residential care, foster care, kinship care and family group homes) should have the option of ongoing care and support until they’re 21.
The team’s journey will start later this month when they receive training in public speaking and leadership at two residential camps at the YMCA’s Lake Dewar Lodge at Myrniong, near Bacchus Marsh, as they research issues they’re passionate about.
The program will culminate in a week of activities on 1 – 7 July, including a second camp at Lake Dewar Lodge ahead of the Mildura team’s three days in the Legislative Chambers of Parliament House.
The YMCA Victorian Youth Parliament Program is funded by Mildura Rural City Council and the YMCA. Participation is free to successful applicants.
Sunraysia residents can follow team’s progress at www.facebook.com\YouthServicesMildura.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au