Being young in Local Government can be an added pressure. However, for Alderman Janie Dickenson, it is more a challenge and an opportunity to make a difference.
“I was taught at an early age never to take life for granted,” said Alderman Dickenson in a speech she presented at a recent conference in Brisbane organised by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
At the age of 27, Alderman Dickenson is Launceston City Council’s youngest Alderman. She is also a member of a national advisory committee for the Minister for Environment, Senator Hill; recently elected President of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association; and is currently preparing a campaign for Mayor of Launceston in November 2002.
“The level of support before and after my speech was amazing,” Janie Dickenson said. “They recognised its importance, and it was invigorating for me to see Local Government elected members and Ministers accept and understand what I was talking about.”
Prior to becoming involved in Local Government, Alderman Dickenson had managed a support program for young people at risk. The program was shut down due to financial instability. Her frustration with Council’s inability to identify the benefits of being proactive in regard to youth issues motivated her to stand for election.
Alderman Dickenson stated that the defining features of being a young person in Local Government include how to develop professional support networks, and how they sacrifice personal career development and financial consolidation.
“It is imperative that young people do attract powerful individuals into their support network, and to do this they must demonstrate a solid and consistent performance,” she said. “Persistence is key for being a young person in Local Government and reinforcing what you believe in. You have to keep trying time after time and it will all equate to trust in you.”
When asked what her advice was to young people who wanted to enter Local Government she replied, “Go for it and believe you can make a difference. Local Government has a lot to offer. It’s so addictive and there are many facets to it that there’s never a dull moment.
“Strong networks, passion, sacrifice, commitment and, more importantly, being out and about communicating with the community is the key.”
