Two young Adelaide Hills residents have been accepted into South Australia’s Youth Parliament 2006. Managed by the YMCA for the South Australian State Government and the Office for Youth, Youth Parliament provides young people with an opportunity to express their views, network and develop legislation in a safe environment.
Youth Parliament is open to anyone aged 12 to 25 who resides in South Australia. The YMCA runs similar programs around the country.
Originating in 1995, Youth Parliament SA has educated around 1,000 young people on the South Australian Parliamentary system, voting procedures, parliamentary etiquette, public speaking and bill writing in a professional and exciting environment. This year, 122 young people were selected to take part.
Youth Parliament SA’s Project Manager, Alex Coates, said participants work in teams to develop a Youth Parliament Bill, which participants then debate along with many other youth bills during three days of debating in the chambers of Parliament House.
“Events during the week include a full recreation program, opening and closing ceremonies of Youth Parliament and a reception at Government House,” he said.
Adelaide Hills’ Myalls Fawcett, aged 16 years, and Marlon Meneaud, aged 14 years, are both active members on Council’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). They will team up with other regional young people to research, write and present a Youth Bill in October at Youth Parliament.
Adelaide Hills Mayor, Bill Cooksley, congratulated Myalls and Marlon on their success.
“Their drive to help the community and their knowledge of issues for Adelaide Hills’ young people assisted in their successful applications,” he said. “Marlon’s main YAC role has been to assist in organising youth events and projects to reduce boredom for young people living in the area, while Myalls has focussed on advocacy for increased transport, youth events and fundraising.”
Next year, the YAC hopes to achieve a full ‘Adelaide Hills Team’, with representatives from each of Council’s four secondary schools and two YAC members representing young people who live in the Hills but do not necessarily go to school in the Hills.
South Australia’s Youth Parliament is a SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) accredited program. Participants can gain two units in Integrated Studies by participating in the program and meeting several other requirements.
For further information on Youth Parliament SA contact Alex Coates on (08) 8235 3600 or visit www.ypsa.org.au
