Close to 100 young leaders came together to share ideas, make new friendships, and hone their leadership skills at the City of Mandurah’s Youth Leadership Forum on June 14.
The students represented seven local high schools and one Education Support Centre and were supported throughout the day by volunteers from the City’s Youth Advisory Group and the Kwinana Youth Advisory Council.
Under the day’s theme ‘Create your change’, facilitators guided participants through group discussions and workshops where they learnt about levels of leadership, self reflection, identifying leadership skills, and ways to make a difference in their communities and schools.
The Youth Forum included a rousing keynote speech by homegrown athlete and boxing world champion Louisa (Bang Bang Lulu) Hawton (pictured), who garnered such feedback from students as “she made me think I can achieve anything”, and “Lulu was a great guest speaker”.
Mayor Rhys Williams said it was great to see Mandurah’s young leaders come together for an inspiring experience to feel more confident and capable of making a difference.
“Our young people are the future of this place. They are not just gearing up to lead in the future; they are leading right now and it’s fantastic to see,” Mayor Williams said.
“The Youth Forum is just one of the ways the City is helping to build the skills and capacity of young people and give them meaningful opportunities to participate and create real change in their communities. Young people are such an important part of our community, which is why we launched the City’s Youth Strategy in 2021. This strategy helps us to shine a light on the aspiration for meaningful participation, empowerment and optimism for our future, and the recent Youth Forum is just one example of that.”
As a result of the Youth Forum, a newly formed Youth Leadership Network will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, July 19 (1-3.30pm). Those interested can register via youth@mandurah.wa.gov.au
