New Youth Council to tackle community connections and mental health
Published on 05 April 2022
Frankston City Council welcomed its new Youth Council for 2022 with 11 passionate and excited members ready to make their mark.
Frankston Youth Council is a youth advocacy and action group of 12–24 year olds who are connected to the Frankston area. It meets fortnightly from March to December, providing a vital forum for young people to have a voice and represent other young people within Frankston City.
The new council has already set its sights on healing some of the damage caused during COVID lockdowns.
Youth Councillor, Isabella Gervasoni, said: “In 2022 I would love for the community to feel more like a family again, since we’ve been in and out of lockdown. For all of us to come back together and celebrate each other.”
Youth Councillor, Yasmine McCoy, added: “When you have those strong foundations with the community you live in and the people you’ve grown up with, it’s setting you up for a brighter future. We’re working together for the sake of the community and together with the community.”
Youth Councillor, Jorden Lancaster said: “I was on Youth Council last year and I found it really empowering. Even though it was during COVID, we still found ways to connect with the community through various projects.”
Frankston City Mayor, Nathan Conroy said: “This year our Youth Council is working towards strengthening connection to community and mental health awareness after a difficult and isolating two year period.
“The members of Youth Council 2022 are extremely passionate about issues that currently affect young people and are driven to evoke change for their community, through projects, consultations and events,” he said.
In previous years, Youth Council has been involved with anti-bullying events at schools and providing kindness kits for local vulnerable people, while closely working alongside schools and other relevant organisations to enhance outcomes.
The Mayor added: “Each unique viewpoint can help ensure Council is providing the right kind of opportunities and assistance to our young people in our community, in addition to the amazing outreach work our Youth Council members will undertake this year.
“I commend each and every member for stepping up to the challenge and to committing their time and energy to helping others in this way.”
Yasmine said: “Personally I think lockdowns had a really big effect on young minds and coming out of that we need to work together as a community to support young people through this transition back to normality. Keeping discussions open and honest.”
Council Youth Worker Jane Thomson said: “We have a mixture of new members and veterans on the council this year, which makes a great combination of fresh ideas and experience.
“We continue to be amazed and inspired by the passion these young people show for their community. They truly want to make a difference and make things better, not just for other young people but for everyone,” she said.
Youth Council is one of many Council programs design to give younger residents leadership opportunities. Frankston Youth Service also runs the Fresh Entertainment (FReeZA) program, for youth interested in pursuing a career in music or music event management, our Youth Stewards program and our Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
Welcome and congratulations to Youth Councillors: Samantha Beaumont, Oliver Robinson, David McFarlane, Mac Zamani, Peter Martin, Laura [surname withheld], Jessica Healy, Olivia Sutherland, Yasmine McCoy, Jorden Lancaster and Isabella Gervasoni.
For more information on Frankston Youth Services, visit: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Things-To-Do/Frankston-Youth-Services
To register for Mental Health training, visit: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Media-and-Publications/Latest-News/Media-Releases-2021/FREE-mental-health-workshops