Youth advisory council to be set up in Albany

18/8/97

Young people in the Albany area will soon have the opportunity to play a greater role in making decisions about matters which affect their life.

Under a joint initiative between the State Government and the Shire of Albany, a youth advisory council will be established to represent the interests of young people in the region.

The youth council will give local young people a voice in matters which directly affect them and provide an avenue for State and local governments to gather opinions and information from youth in the area.

The council will comprise up to 20 young people, aged between 12 and 20 with representation from local high schools, community and youth agencies, both unemployed and employed young people and those undertaking further studies.

Youth Minister Mike Board today applauded the shire council's unanimous decision to establish a youth council.

"Young people in the Albany Shire will have a direct link to me through the council," Mr Board said.

"They will be able to provide me with a better idea of what they think about issues which affect them and their ideas will influence Government decisions on policy, programs and the provision of services in youth affairs."

The Minister said a network of youth councils would be established throughout the State by the Office of Youth Affairs in conjunction with local government authorities and the Shire of Albany was among the first councils to take advantage of the initiative.

"The network of advisory councils will provide an open forum for all youth to raise issues among their peers, with the knowledge that they have a direct link to State Cabinet, via the Minister for Youth," he said.

The Shire of Albany's acting president Alison Goode said the shire council was especially keen to establish a youth council.

"It provides a good opportunity to get young people interested in local government, to give them a taste of what being a councillor might feel like and, maybe, they will be interested in running for council later down the track," Mrs Goode said.

"It will also act as a focal point for local youth issues and be able to provide advice to council on a whole range of youth issues in the community."

The shire would provide a meeting room for the youth council and secretarial support, as well as guidance and advice if required.

Mr Board said the youth council would play a vital role in identifying priorities for funding offered through the Youth Grants WA program which was developed through the Office of Youth Affairs.

The $1 million grants program for new and innovative projects for young Western Australians was announced yesterday (Sunday) by Mr Board.

It comprised two funding categories: Youth Participation Projects and Youth Services and Facilities.

More information on youth advisory councils or the youth grants program is available from the Office of Youth Affairs on (08) 9264 8444.

Media contact: Ministerial - Peter Harris 089 222 9211

Shire of Albany - Alison Goode 089 841 2311 (Shire)

089 845 1259 (home)