Whyalla’s Youth Council comprises 15 young people aged between 12 and 25 years. The group votes in its own Mayor, holds monthly meetings and essentially runs as a conventional Local Government organisation. Two Senior Councillors attend the Youth Council meetings to guide them on how a meeting operates and to provide advice and support.
Established just two and a half years ago, the Youth Council has already successfully implemented one major initiative. The group attended a formal Council meeting and at question time raised an issue they had been discussing in their own meetings. The Youth Council asked for better lighting at Civic Park, where the town’s skate park is located. A lot of young people frequent the area, and often left to walk home in the dark. Council agreed with the suggestion and new lighting has since been installed.
The Youth Council’s headquarters, Youth Central, is located at a local church. Youth Central has been renovated to include a recording studio where young bands can practice and record their own music. A local recording person offers two hours of his own time per week to assist with any recording tasks.
The building also houses a games area, including a pool table, table tennis, couches and an internet café. The building has an industrial kitchen, which Council hopes can be used to train young people, allowing them to run it and open a canteen.
Council is also negotiating with local health and training organisations to run their programs from Youth Central. Council believes people will feel more encouraged to access these services in an informal setting.
At the moment, church volunteers and Council’s Youth Development Officer supervise the building. However, Mission Australia has sought funding to employ a Volunteer Coordinator who will organise specific programs and activities.
