By Bonny Burrows
Cardinia Shire’s inaugural 2018 Youth Council attracted strong applicants, according to councillor Michael Schilling.
Twenty-four young people across the shire applied for the nine positions on the council, which aims to provide those aged 13 to 21 with their first taste of politics.
The applicants were interviewed during the week of 11 December and Cr Schilling said it was “quite a hard job” determining who would be appointed to the council.
“All applicants were of an incredibly high standard,” he said.
“We had a diverse range of young people apply, people of all ages and backgrounds, even applicants from outside the hire who demonstrated a connection with Cardinia.”
Cr Schilling, who was supported by fellow councillor Leticia Wilmot during the application process, said the aim was to establish a youth council with a good representation of the shire’s young people.
“We tried to get a diverse group in terms of people’s backgrounds, ages, passions, gender,” Cr Schilling said.
“And while all were deserving, we’ve chosen those successful.”
Those joining the inaugural youth council are2017 Cardinia Shire Young Citizen of the Year Emily Bloxidge, Kurt Caddy, Prachi Beniwal, Kiara Venturi, Mehdi Ahmadi, Joe Barratt, Amy Gregorovich, Hajar El-Hennawi and Jennifer James.
They will have their first official meeting in February but will come together in late January for a planning session.
“It’s really important we have this session because this isn’t an elected councillor’s council, this is the young people’s council and we want them to shape it,” Cr Schilling said.
